The entrepreneurial state—a new framework for innovation policy

Tuesday 28.6.2016, 14:00–15:45
Sitra,Leonardo da Vinci auditorium, Itämerenkatu 11-13, Helsinki

In her international bestselling book The Entrepreneurial State: Debunking Public vs. Private Sector Myths (2013, Anthem Press) Professor Mariana Mazzucato (Sussex University) claimed that various states have been entrepreneurial and successful in promoting technological revolutions and innovation-led growth. Too often public discourse in many countries has failed to acknowledge the entrepreneurial role being played by public agencies. States should be courageous and strategic, and not only on the sidelines, in promoting smart and inclusive growth.

Mazzucato has pointed out that historically one of the most successful entrepreneurial states can be found in the United States, where strategic and mission-oriented public investment has shaped and created new technological opportunities and markets. Public investment created technological revolutions in ICT, biotechnology and nanotechnology, and private venture capital played a key part only after the initial public investments. Every technology that makes Apple’s iPhone so ”smart” was government funded: the internet, GPS, its touch-screen display and the voice-activated Siri.

In her keynote lecture “The entrepreneurial state – a new framework for innovation policy” Professor Mazzucato will discuss the entrepreneurial state framework for innovation, and make the case for more innovative, inclusive and sustainable capitalism. Mazzucato’s new book is titled Rethinking Capitalism: Economics and Policy for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth (July 2016, Wiley-Blackwell), which she has edited together with Michael Jacobs. Sitra fellow Timo J. Hämäläinen and Professor Erkki Ormala (Aalto University) will comment Mazzucato`s lecture.

This public event is organised by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, the think tank Kalevi Sorsa Foundation and the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation Tekes. The event is open for everyone, but registration is required. Please register through this link.

Programme

14:00-14:05   Welcome

14:05-14:35   The entrepreneurial state – a new framework for innovation policy
Professor Mariana Mazzucato, Sussex University

14:35-14:45   Finnish Comment
Professor Erkki Ormala, Aalto University

14:45-15:00   Questions and answers

15:00-15:10   Time to renew Finnish innovation and industrial policy? (in Finnish)
Sitra Fellow Timo Hämäläinen, The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra

15:10-15:45   Panel discussion (in Finnish)
Researcher Antti Alaja, Kalevi Sorsa Foundation
Sitra Fellow Timo Hämäläinen, The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra
Professor Erkki Ormala, Aalto University
Chief Advisor Christopher Palmberg, Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation