How can innovation policy accelerate the creation of solutions to our greatest societal challenges?

IN2MISSION research project seeks to improve the understanding of innovation policy tools and instruments that enable advancements and innovations in data and platform economy that would accelerate mission-oriented activities and system-level transformations. In the project we will focus on a select set of EU Missions addressing the grand and societal challenges, specifically the tackling of climate change and the strive for climate-neutral smart cities.

Data and platform economy allows innovation of totally new ways to accelerate system level change of industries and society while at the same time creating ample opportunities for high growth business. Data and platforms can together establish a facilitative and enabling infrastructure that supports coordination, collaboration, and transparency, of company and public sector mission-oriented activities. A well-working and transparent informational infrastructure where data is pooled and used in intelligent ways can radically impact the effectiveness and scale of mission-oriented activities and accelerate system-level transformations.

However, there is currently a lack of incentives, policies, and guidance for well working informational infrastructure to develop around mission-oriented activities. Therefore, we aim to understand:

What are the underlying impediments in the development of informational infrastructures for mission-oriented activities?
What are the key properties of the impactful informational infrastructure of mission-oriented activities?

What are the means for innovation policy to support and advance the development of informational infrastructures for mission-oriented activities?
From a pragmatic perspective, the project seeks to produce tangible advice to support the development of the Finnish business, innovation and entrepreneurship policy as well as management practices on acting efficiently and seizing business opportunities in mission-oriented activities.

The duration of the project is from August 2022 to August 2024. It is funded by Business Finland.