1. Snowpolis Business Point Winter technologies 2006-2009

2. Snowpolis Business Development Project for Snowpolis Business/Technology development in sport/nutrition and well-being Snowpolis development 2003-2005 as project under Municipal and ERDF funding aimed at encouraging business developments in the region supported by existing facilities/infrastructure (i.e. Ski Tunnel) Encouraging relocation of businesses and industries to a depleted region Snowpolis turned ltd 2005 focus on developing projects and partnerships in the business venture located in Kainuu. Continue to feed the continual growth and maintanance through support of existing regional companies. Snowpolis hosting various projects with ESF & ERDF projects until 2010 Supporting Innovation and new business strategies and relations to regional start-ups and core businesses in the region) Winter Technologies project as project under the Snowpolis business development/business opportunity framework 2008-2009 Support in core sports and development companies at Snowpolis countering financial crisis by seeking new markets

3. Winter Technologies Project Project duration: 01.2008 – 12-2009 Total Budget: 365.000€ (80% EU funds – 20% own funds Project Plan: Create and build Snowpolis and Kainuu’s research, development and business environment into a capable entity of international activity for winter recreation and related fields. Generate and attract new companies to the industry so that the sector generated 100 new jobs and 20 new companies by 2015. Expand Kainuu skills profile in the international leisure-time activities in the region and make it marketable abroad. Target specific core partnerships working in the area of winter sport and leisure such as the Sochi Winter Olympics Organization to help build image, business potential and sustainable long term business models.

4. Winter Technologies Project Project outcome: Emergence of cooperation in the area of energy / Green solutions in winter/sport technologies (follow up ERDF fundedproject now headed by Kainuun ETU - EKOTEKO) Sofi Oy. Now in Sochi 2014 development process Snowpolis withdrawal from SOFI Consortium 10.2009 due to shift in municipal political entities/strategy. Creation of Annosol Oy. (spin-off from project) Relocation of Sofi consortium companies postponed due lack of agreement with local leaders and change in the administrative agenda (under negotiation through Annosol).

5. Winter Technologies Project Successful Activities Creation of Development consortium SOFI Oy. In which multiple partners and developers in the area of Winter tech would locate to Kainuu due to existing infrastructures and winter conditions Consortium of 49 companies 5 to be in Kainuu. Creation of ”Snowise” network – for research within Northern Finland Universities and existing Technology parks Formation of Sport business Intelligence bureau serving the consortium and network.

6. Snowpolis Project Reflection The global Financial crisis heavily hit the development sector in certain niche markets such as Winter technologies. Albeit investor and political fear support from EU funds allowed continued developments and strategic manoeuvers to maintain competitiveness to a certain extent. The geographical location and the overall ”reachability” has been stated as a possible hinderence into further business growth. Properly developed ERDF/ESF funds could counter this by strategising regional business specialization & clustering in lesser developed/populated areas. Peripheral and smaller, struggling regions need specific representation and guidance at a political, economic level in which the rural policy makers may lack in ability and global understanding. Direct EU interaction and centralised support will serve to implement and maintain positive growth strategies. In Kainuu, and the Snowpolis projects, Sport was a major subject allowing development, which used the area of Sport as a major ”Field of Play”. New efforts have been successful in the areas of sport sector urban planning and construction industry. A major contribution to the region has come through European funds. They gave birth to the development of the First ever xc-ski tunnel in the world completed in 1997. Since 2002 it has allowed 2 university research units to base there research activities in the area and benefit from ERDF and ESF funds.