Sitra’s role in 2012 is very clear. Our mission statement sets out our goals for building the Finland of tomorrow.
But our history dates back to 1967 and has seen many investments and much research in numerous different areas of life. For example, in the early years, Sitra funded several innovation projects involved in technology and the natural sciences.
Gene technology was included in Sitra’s programmes in the early 1980s. We financed the development of a neuromagnetic imaging device in the low temperature laboratory of the Helsinki University of Technology, as well as the recombinant DNA project in the 1980s.
Sitra also supported experiments such as the project to develop Finland’s first sun simulator for the Physical Sciences department of the University of Turku.
In the 2000s, Sitra has played a significant role as the test laboratory for public programmes and entrepreneurship. We were a major force behind the early stages of the Finnish capital investment market. Currently, Sitra’s role is to promote structural change, social innovation and new lines of business.