SmiLe Strengthens Global Life Science Innovation by Supporting the Launch of Finnish OYSTER Incubator

Minna Komu (no 8 from right), OuluHealth Network Director, and the Oyster team together with Oyster startups. From SmiLe Ebba Fåhraeus and Thomas Unt (no 5 and 4 from right).

SmiLe Venture Hub is supporting the development and launch of the new OYSTER Incubator, designed to accelerate health and life science innovation in Finland. Drawing on its deep expertise in fostering life science innovation ecosystems, SmiLe has supported the management team in establishing the incubator’s structure, processes, and approach to business development —ensuring that emerging life science companies receive the right support to grow and thrive.

The OYSTER Incubator is a core component of the OuluHealth OYSTER initiative, which will serve as a state-of-the-art center for research, development, and innovation in digital health. Closely integrated with the new Oulu University Hospital OYS2030, the incubator is set to become a key driver in transforming healthcare by supporting startups, researchers, students, and industry professionals working on groundbreaking solutions in digital health, health technology, diagnostics, and the broader health and well-being industry.

"This collaboration is a testament to the power of knowledge-sharing and strategic support in shaping the future of healthcare innovation," says Ebba Fåhraeus, Executive Advisor & Former CEO at SmiLe Venture Hub. "By helping to build strong foundations for incubators like OYSTER, we contribute to a more sustainable and globally connected life science sector—one that accelerates the journey from research to real-world impact."

The newly launched incubator recently hosted its kickoff event, bringing together the first cohort of companies and key stakeholders, marking the beginning of an exciting new phase for Finnish life science innovation.

“We are thrilled to establish OYSTER Incubator at a time when fostering new startups is more critical than ever. By providing the right support at the right time, we aim to accelerate the growth of groundbreaking health and life science innovations. While we bring deep expertise in the industry, running an incubator requires a different skill set, and having an experienced mentor like SmiLe is invaluable. Their guidance ensures that OYSTER is built on a strong foundation, empowering startups to navigate the complex journey from idea to impact,” says Minna Komu, OuluHealth Network Director.

SmiLe’s work with OYSTER is part of a broader commitment to fostering life science innovation worldwide. With a proven ability to develop scalable and structured support systems, SmiLe is increasingly sought after by international partners aiming to strengthen their local ecosystems. By sharing its expertise, SmiLe continues to play an active role in enabling sustainable, long-term growth for life science companies, ultimately benefiting patients and societies across the globe.

For more information, contact:
Ebba Fåhraeus, Executive Advisor at SmiLe Venture Hub, +46 (0)73 4000433, ebba.fahraeus@smileventurehub.com

More information about Oyster: https://ouluhealth.fi/oyster/