Innovation needs diverse culture and room to scale

How do sustainable innovations emerge, and what is needed to help promising startups grow into industrial-scale businesses? These questions were at the heart of the roundtable discussion held on 3 June 2026 as part of the Interreg Europe-funded DECO project. Organised by Design Forum Finland, the event brought together project partners and stakeholders to explore how the transition towards sustainable, industrial-scale business can be accelerated.

The online discussion opened with a presentation by Mari Granström, PhD in organic chemistry and Chief Executive Activist of the Finnish start-up Origin by Ocean. Granström shared the story of the company’s origins and growth. Origin by Ocean develops processes for turning Sargassum brown algae into high-value, bio-based ingredients. The algae, which has proliferated rapidly in the Caribbean, is an invasive species whose large-scale accumulation can disrupt marine ecosystems and create challenges for coastal communities.

The company aims to reduce the environmental burden on marine ecosystems while decreasing industry’s dependence on fossil-based raw materials. Through its bioprocessing technology, Origin by Ocean can produce ingredients such as alginate and fucoidan from Sargassum for use in products including cosmetics and food.

Origin by Ocean is currently developing its first industrial-scale biorefinery in Finland. In addition to Sargassum, the company plans to utilise algae species found in the Baltic Sea, including bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus).

Following the keynote, participants explored the themes in facilitated small-group discussions led by consultancy Osana yhteistä ratkaisua Oy. The discussions focused on identifying practical ways to support sustainable innovation and accelerate the transition from early-stage ideas to scalable business.

Innovation is driven by pressure for change, diversity and collaboration

Pressure for change can be a powerful driver of innovation. Regulation, customer expectations, competition, sustainability targets and the need to address urgent challenges can all create demand for new solutions. Participants also noted that major regional industrial transitions can accelerate the need for new technologies and business models.

Diversity is another important source of innovation.

Different professional backgrounds and disciplines bring new perspectives to the table. Sustainable solutions increasingly combine technologies and expertise from multiple fields, making cross-sector collaboration essential.

Creating an innovative culture also requires the right conditions within organisations. Participants emphasised the importance of giving people time and space to experiment, exchange ideas and learn from failure. A fear of failure can inhibit creativity, while a supportive environment encourages initiative and experimentation.

Both public and private actors have a role to play in creating the conditions for innovation. Innovation centres, universities, companies and public organisations can build networks that enable knowledge and ideas to move more freely. Clear objectives and identified challenges provide direction for collaboration, while research and development require planning, resources and an understanding of the entire product lifecycle.

From startup to industrial scale

A second key theme was how startups can move from early-stage innovation towards industrial growth and scale-up.

Access to finance was identified as one of the critical factors. Startups need multiple sources of funding to bridge the challenging gap between product development and commercial growth. Participants also called for stronger connections between startups, industry, investors, technology experts and mentors.

Public institutions provide important support, but their processes should be easier for companies to navigate. Incubators and accelerators also need sufficient capabilities to support young companies. Regulation can create opportunities for sustainable business models, while product-market fit should be validated before significant resources are committed to scaling.

Access to existing infrastructure could significantly lower the barriers to growth. Instead of building everything from scratch, startups could make greater use of established companies’ laboratories, production facilities and distribution networks. Recruitment is equally important: growing companies need people with the skills required for their next stage of development and the ability to work across organisational boundaries.

Participants also highlighted the importance of education, intellectual property and testing environments. Innovation centres, university networks and living labs can provide environments where ideas can be developed and tested. Startups expanding internationally must also understand how intellectual property frameworks and market conditions differ between countries.

A long-term perspective on innovation

Short-term results matter, but the transition towards sustainable business requires a longer-term perspective. Participants emphasised that innovation should not be treated as a separate function but embedded across the organisation and throughout the value chain.

Sustainable innovation does not emerge from a single idea or technology alone.

The roundtable’s conclusion was clear: sustainable innovation is built on a combination of culture, collaboration, education, finance, networks and infrastructure. Creating these conditions takes time, but they are essential for turning promising ideas into solutions capable of achieving industrial scale.

What is DeCo?
Design Collaboration for Sustainable Business (DeCo) is an Interreg Europe-funded project aimed at strengthening regional and national initiatives that promote sustainable design, production, and manufacturing based on circular economy principles. The project brings together ten regional partners from seven European countries: Croatia, Spain, Greece, Poland, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Finland. DeCo supports the EU’s goals of reducing emissions, increasing the use of sustainable products, developing circular business models, and encouraging consumers to transition to greener choices. The project achieves these objectives by sharing knowledge on practical experiences and innovative approaches, and by building skills. Knowledge exchange is a key component, enabling participants to learn from one another, form new partnerships, and even launch new initiatives.