New Business Platform

TestLab Mehtimäki

TestLab Mehtimäki creates an innovative business
platform that offers versatile starting points for the
development, testing and commercialization of
new types of exercise and wellness services. The
modern testing environment located at Joensuu
Areena and its mobile testing services enable
tailoring of services to the needs of different
customer groups, from everyday walkers to elite
athletes and from young people to the elderly.

We are developing TestLab's business platform in
cooperation with various stakeholders, and our aim
is to unite entrepreneurs, clubs, sports operators
and educational organizations under the same roof.
This enables networking and promotes local
cooperation in exercise and well-being. We aim
that entrepreneurs can also use the framework
offered by the testing station in many different
ways to support their own business. Together with
entrepreneurs, we plan testing services to meet the
needs of their customers and, among other things,
implement testing training for entrepreneurs. With
the training, the entrepreneur can carry out tests
with their customers using test equipment and
facilities and thus expand their service offerings.

The purpose of the testing station is also to speed
up research, development and innovation activities
for the development of new products and services.
In addition, the developing testing environment
supports student entrepreneurship and offers
opportunities for research-oriented innovation,
especially in the areas of expertise in photonics and
augmented reality.

Development of the Mehtimäki Area

The Mehtimäki area refers to a versatile
concentration of leisure, exercise and sports, which
is located in Joensuu in the immediate vicinity of
the University of Eastern Finland, just one
kilometer from the market square. The area has
three large indoor arenas, Joensuu Areena,
Motonet Areena. The area also has an ice rink, an
athletics field, a baseball stadium, Joensuu’s
Laulurinne, a horse racing track, a swimming hall, a
skate park, a tennis hall, a curling hall and a dog
training field. In addition, the Mehtimäki area is
home to Joensuu Science Park, several restaurants,
parking areas and a parking garage, as well as the
Kuntokeidas sports center.

The testing station TestLab Mehtimäki lays the
foundation for the development of the Mehtimäki
area by offering an innovative and new
environment for the development of sports and
wellness services, research and cooperation. The
goal is to create a plan for the development of
sports business in the Mehtimäki area as well as for
the provision of new types of wellness services.
Mehtimäki's future plan will be developed together
with sports and wellness entrepreneurs and sports
clubs through, among other things, future
workshops and surveys and interviews for different
target groups. The goal is that the development of
the Mehtimäki sports park would further
strengthen the attractiveness and vitality of the
area in the future and promote the well-being of
the townspeople.