DATASTEP to support data‑driven development among SMEs in Uusimaa

The opportunities of the data economy are broad, but many SMEs still lack a clear view of how data could be used in their own business. Companies are often unfamiliar with the obligations and rights introduced by EU regulation, or with the practical solutions that European data spaces offer for data access and sharing.

“Data spaces enable new forms of collaboration between companies and the public sector. They unlock data, especially in areas where SMEs cannot invest alone — examples are emerging in health, agriculture and the use of city data,” says Hanna Niemi‑Hugaerts, Executive Director at TIEKE.

DATASTEP strengthens the data economy capabilities of SMEs in Uusimaa and helps them use data to develop new business — including through European data spaces.

At the heart of DATASTEP is hands‑on support for SMEs.

“It’s important that SMEs receive concrete support for data‑driven growth. In DATASTEP, we offer training, webinars and data maturity assessments, and we’ll produce new guides that help make sense of the data economy. The aim is to lower the threshold for bringing data — and solutions linked to data spaces — into everyday business,” says Marko Mikkonen, Project Manager at TIEKE.

The project also provides SMEs with access to Finnish and European test platforms, allowing them to test solutions before making major investments.

TIEKE is responsible for developing data economy skills and building training pathways for companies. One of the project’s most visible elements is the annual “Data as an Engine for Growth in Uusimaa” festival, which brings together SMEs, RDI actors and European networks.

“It’s great to see how companies get inspired when the opportunities of the data economy become concrete in trainings and events. The festival brings together experts, companies and RDI actors — and these encounters are where collaboration begins and data‑driven solutions move forward,” Mikkonen adds.

In Uusimaa, the challenge in data use shows up as a relatively small number of companies with strong international growth potential. Without more data‑driven startups and growth companies, the region’s attractiveness as a location for technology companies — and its competitiveness — will weaken.

By actively supporting companies in using data and testing data‑driven solutions, and by providing access to different data sources, Uusimaa can strengthen SME export business and improve the region’s attractiveness to international actors.

RDI actors (research, development and innovation organisations) that meet and advise SMEs play a key role here. DATASTEP also strengthens their role in supporting data‑driven business.

“To ensure that RDI actors are equipped to support SMEs, we train them to assess data maturity, to provide EDIH services as part of their own services, and to make effective use of European expertise and test environments. The goal is to create an operating model that can be scaled nationally,” says Mikkonen.

Niemi‑Hugaerts is particularly pleased about the growing collaboration:

“It’s great to help build cooperation between SMEs, RDI actors and European networks. When different parties find each other, it creates opportunities to develop solutions that would be difficult to achieve alone. This kind of collaboration is crucial for the growth of the data economy across Uusimaa.”