Relocating an innovation lab is no small task. But for material science company Corning, moving to Helsinki —with its thriving scientific community, deep talent pool, and solid local support—made perfect sense.

Corning’s Claudio Mazzali, VP of Global Research (based in the US) and Mikhail Chivilikhin, Director of Corning Scientific Center (based in Helsinki) share why they made the move and what the relocation process was like.

The right place to evolve

Corning Incorporated is a more than 170-year-old materials science company providing life-changing technologies for industries from optical communications and displays to automotive, life sciences, and mobile consumer electronics. And they’re always evolving.

The Corning Scientific Center (CSC) is an integral part of the company’s innovation process providing world-class modeling and simulation expertise, powered by machine learning and artificial intelligence. For more than 20 years, it’s been central to Corning’s R&D strategy, and its relocation to Helsinki only strengthens its role.

With Finland’s strong investments in AI—including the upcoming ELLIS Institute and Europe’s largest private AI lab, AMD Silo AI—Helsinki is the perfect match for CSC’s expertise. The city is also known for successful tech innovation, where companies are always experimenting and evolving.

Why Helsinki?

Corning relocated its Scientific Center to Helsinki for the city’s collaborative business ecosystem, top-tier talent, and strategic fit for R&D. Here’s how it all came together.

Open and collaborative business environment

“Helsinki was an obvious choice,” says Claudio. “There’s a thriving scientific community, great academic and research institutions, and quickly growing startups. That energy fuels our team to perform even better.”

Setting up operations in a new city always comes with a learning curve. But for Corning, the transition was smoother than expected. Helsinki’s stable digital infrastructure, transparent government, and strong institutions keep things running smoothly, with fewer risks for international companies.

“Integrating into the Helsinki business community has been a rewarding experience. The community here is very open, collaborative, and supportive,” says Mikhail.

“Support from Helsinki Partners was invaluable during our settling in period,” Mikhail continues. “They provided information about residence permits, local knowledge, and resources that helped us navigate local business regulations and establish new connections with business partners.”

Access to top talent

When Corning picks a location for its science and technology centers, talent is a deciding factor.

“To create new knowledge, you need the best talent in the world and an environment that enables them to leverage their capabilities. That’s why Helsinki is a great place for us,” says Claudio.

With 31% of Finland’s engineering workforce based in the Helsinki-Uusimaa region and 26,500 new engineering graduates entering the field each year, companies can easily tap into Helsinki’s skilled workforce.

A perfect fit for R&D 

Helsinki is Europe’s second most innovative region, standing out for our research excellence, funding opportunities, and a collaborative business culture. Companies working with top universities in Helsinki and research institutes in Finland can benefit from generous tax deductions, while Finland supports AI research with both public and private funding—including 13 new AI professorships.

Helsinki is also a smart financial choice. Operating costs here are lower than in many major European cities, making Helsinki a competitive location for an R&D hub.

More than work: A city where people thrive

Helsinki’s high quality of life makes it a city where employees and their families can truly feel at home. 

“Helsinki is a great location for our folks to live with their families and thrive,” says Claudio. “Our employees are even more energised to help us with new ideas and innovation moving forward.”

Maria Andros, Senior Advisor at Helsinki Partners highlights the importance of a smooth integration. “We at Helsinki Partners did our best to deliver a smooth transition of Corning’s team to Helsinki. The wellbeing of the staff and their families during the relocation was our main concern, so we put extra efforts to address any issues in that matter.”

Photo © Andrew Taylor

What’s next for Corning

With Corning Scientific Center now fully operational in Helsinki, Corning looks forward to deeper technology collaborations in Finland, and stronger connections with local businesses, universities, and research institutions.

For any company thinking about relocating their business to Helsinki, Mikhail offers advice: “Be open to learning and adapting, and don’t hesitate to seek help from local resources like Helsinki Partners. Invest time in understanding the local business culture and building relationships within the business community.”

Regular networking events, research forums, and industry meetups help businesses make the right connections fast.

Maria sees big opportunities ahead for Corning and other international companies looking to open an innovation center in Helsinki. “We look forward to collaborating with Corning in the future, since the New Materials ecosystem in Finland is on the rise. There is a lot of potential for similar innovative high tech growth companies to enter the field and take advantage of the funding opportunities, joint R&D, and tapping into the talent pool.”

Curious about the Finnish market and innovation ecosystem? Join the 90 Day Finn Program and explore why expanding to Helsinki could be the perfect move for your company. Applications close March 31, 2025.