What Pyhäjärvi-instituutti does

Pyhäjärvi-instituutti is a Finnish non-profit research institute headquartered in Eura, Satakunta, founded in the late 1980s/early 1990s with a mandate to advance sustainable food production and water management in the Pyhäjärvi lake basin and broader regional ecosystem. With 27 employees and over 30 years of institutional history, the institute operates without equity ownership or public listing, functioning instead as a public-purpose intermediary between EU funding bodies, regional ELY centers, and on-the-ground agricultural and water stakeholders.

The institute delivers value through a portfolio of long-running programs (Pyhäjärven suojeluohjelma since the mid-1990s, JOKI-ohjelma since 2017, Alkutuotannon kasvu- ja vastuullisuusohjelma since 2021, RypsiRapsi-foorumi since 2023, PETLA-ohjelma since 2025) and time-limited projects across topics including bioeconomy (BIOVAHVA), oilseed cultivation (VARPSI), pig value chain development, water security (VesiVara), climate-resilient meat production, future food chains (TuRVa), and spice crop cultivation (Kumina ja kaverit). Outputs take the form of field trials, training, publications, field days, webinars, and stakeholder convening rather than sellable technology products. Core technical competencies span agricultural research, water body monitoring, field trial design, and circular economy testing — with no disclosed proprietary software platform, API, or AI/ML system.

The institute is funded primarily through EU agricultural and regional development instruments (ERDF, Just Transition Fund, CAP rural development) channeled via Finnish ELY centers, supplemented by private industry co-funding from major agri-input players (Yara, Bunge, Corteva, Apetit, Berner, Hankkija, HKFoods). All training and most services are provided free of charge as part of publicly funded projects. The go-to-market is event- and project-driven: the institute reaches farmers, food processors, and rural municipalities through project networks, regional ELY centers, ProAgria advisor channels, project websites, Facebook, and field events across at least eight Finnish regions.

Name

Pyhäjärvi-instituutti

Legal name

Pyhäjärvi-instituutti

Website

https://pyhajarvi-instituutti.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pyhäjärvi-instituutti is a Finnish non-profit research institute that conducts agricultural, water management, and food-chain research via long-running EU-funded programs and projects, serving farmers, food processors, and rural municipalities across multiple Finnish regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Research and Development Services

NAICS

Oilseed and Grain Farming (1111), Farm Management Services (115116)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Decision Support & Agronomic Modeling (Yield, Irrigation, Pest/Disease Forecasting) (AFAAAFAF)

Keywords

• Sustainable agriculture research
• Water resource management
• Food chain development
• Bioeconomy and circular economy
• Field trial research services

Headquarters

HQ city

Eura

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. EU Project Funding: Pyhäjärvi-instituutti operates primarily as a publicly funded research institute receiving EU agricultural and regional development funding through Finnish ELY centers, the Just Transition Fund (JTF), and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pyhäjärvi-instituutti is a Finnish non-profit research institute that delivers applied research, field trials, training, and project coordination aimed at sustainable and responsible food production and water management. It operates through EU-funded project portfolios covering crop cultivation research, livestock value chain development, bioeconomy, circular economy, and watershed protection, serving farmers, food-industry firms, and water-management stakeholders across multiple Finnish regions.

Product overview

Pyhäjärvi-instituutti is a Finnish research institute working for sustainable and responsible food production and water management with over 30 years of experience. The organization operates through multiple specialized programs and projects rather than a traditional product portfolio. Key programs include the Alkutuotannon kasvu- ja vastuullisuusohjelma (established 2021) for primary production development, RypsiRapsi-foorumi (established 2023) for rapeseed promotion, PETLA-ohjelma (established 2025) for potato research, and the long-standing Pyhäjärven suojeluohjelma (since 1990s) for lake protection. Active projects span bioeconomy development (BIOVAHVA), oil crop cultivation improvement (VARPSI), pig value chain optimization, water security (VesiVara), climate-resilient meat production, future food chains (TuRVa), and artisan food development. The comprehensive program includes water body protection through Pyhäjärven suojeluohjelma and JOKI-ohjelma covering the entire Eurajoki river basin.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PETLA-ohjelma: Program ensuring continuation of potato and potato cultivation research, established in 2025.
• JOKI-ohjelma
• RypsiRapsi-foorumi
• Pyhäjärven suojeluohjelma
• Alkutuotannon kasvu- ja vastuullisuusohjelma

Products and services

• BIOVAHVA - Strengthening and Securing Satakunta's Bioeconomy (Satakunnan biotalouden vahvistaminen ja varmistaminen) Applied bioeconomy development project aimed at replacing income losses from declining peat production by strengthening and securing Satakunta's bioeconomy and food chain R&I, creating new innovative business and job opportunities. Targeted at regional food chain actors, rural municipalities, and bioeconomy stakeholders.
• VARPSI - Increasing Rapeseed and Canola Cultivation Certainty and Quantity (Rypsin ja rapsin viljelyvarmuuden ja -määrän lisääminen) Applied research and field trial project focused on oil crop cultivation certainty and yield improvement in Finland, covering variety selection, cultivation knowledge transfer, winter hardiness, plant health, and professional development. Targeted at Finnish oilseed growers, oil industry (Apetit Kasviöljy, Bunge Finland), and agricultural input companies (Yara, Corteva, Hankkija, Berner).
• Smart, Profitable and Responsible Pig Value Chain (Älykäs, kannattava ja vastuullinen sian arvoketju) Applied R&D project that enhances the competitiveness and profitability of the Finnish pig production chain through responsible, ecological, and efficient new methods covering feed optimization, animal welfare, and meat quality. Targeted at Finnish pig producers (~419 farms in target region) and meat-processing partner HKFoods Finland Oy.
• VesiVara - Satakunta's Natural Water Supply Security (Satakunnan luonnonvesien riittävyyden ja laadun huoltovarmuus) Applied research project that promotes Satakunta's natural water security in climate change adaptation by ensuring sufficient quality water for industry, maintaining raw water quality through process development, and securing adequate water for aquatic ecosystems. Targeted at municipalities, water cooperatives, regional industries, and ecosystem managers.
• Climate-Resilient and Responsible Meat Production Training (Ilmastokestävä ja vastuullinen lihantuotanto) Free-to-participant training program for livestock farmers covering climate and water emissions mitigation, biodiversity promotion, soil health, water management, animal welfare, and feed chain development with farm economics and profitability perspectives. Delivered via in-person field days (pellonpiennar), webinars, and seminars across regions including Kanta-Häme, Päijät-Häme, and Pirkanmaa.
• Future Food Chains in Southwest Finland (TuRVa - Tulevaisuuden ruokaketjut Varsinais-Suomessa) Project promoting future food chains in Southwest Finland, providing practical training and supporting food chain companies in the region. Targeted at food chain companies, regional food businesses, and producers in Varsinais-Suomi.
• Cumin and Friends - Increasing Cultivation Quantity and Quality of Cumin, Coriander and Oil Hemp (Kumina ja kaverit) Applied research and field trial project to increase cultivation quantity and quality of cumin, coriander, and oil hemp, with EU rural development funding and industry partners Trans Farm Oy and Caraway Finland. Targeted at spice crop growers and condiment industry stakeholders.
• DeliSoil (DeliSoil Project) Project focused on sustainable soil management and utilization. Targeted at agricultural producers and soil management stakeholders engaging through stakeholder events and visits.
• Artisan Food - Southwest Finland Local Food Expertise (Artesaaniruoka - Satakunnan lähiruokaosaamista) Project developing artisan food products, food drying, and packaging skills in the Satakunta region. Targeted at regional food producers, small food businesses, and local food artisans.

Quantifiable outcome

• RAPESEED YIELD POTENTIAL: Average rapeseed yield in Finland is ~1400 kg/ha, with top quarter achieving double the yield of bottom quarter, indicating significant improvement potential through better cultivation practices.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• PETLA-ohjelmacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Program established in 2025 to continue potato and potato cultivation research after the Potato Research Institute merged into Pyhäjärvi-instituutti.
• Tutkimuskeskus Wander (SAMK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Research center and co-implementer in VesiVara project. Wander is responsible for work packages on drinking water and household water, as well as overall project coordination support.
• PrizztechcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Regional development company responsible for industrial processes work package including energy production water use analysis in VesiVara project.
• HKFoods Finland OycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2024Collaboration partner in Smart, Profitable and Responsible Pig Value Chain project and in Ilmastokestävä ja vastuullinen lihantuotanto (Climate-sustainable and responsible meat production) training project. HKFoods is a major Finnish meat processing company.
• Nylands Svenska LantbrukssällskapmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2024Co-implementer in the VARPSI project (Increasing Rapeseed and Canola Cultivation Certainty and Quantity). Swedish-speaking agricultural advisory organization in Uusimaa region.
• ProAgria KeskustenliittomajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2024Co-implementer in the VARPSI project. ProAgria is Finland's leading agricultural advisory organization providing expertise to farmers across the country.
• Luke - LuonnonvarakeskusmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2024Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) is involved as a research partner providing expertise on food industry side streams utilization in field applications.
• Trans Farm OyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner in Kumina ja kaverit project (cumin, coriander, and oil hemp cultivation improvement) implementing field trials and activities.
• Caraway FinlandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner in Kumina ja kaverit project implementing activities for spice crop cultivation development.
• RypsiRapsi-foorumicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023RypsiRapsi-foorumi (rypsirapsi.fi) was established in 2023 to promote rapeseed and canola cultivation and profitability in Finland. The forum brings together oilseed production stakeholders and previous development activities, and produces new cultivation information through field trials.
• Satakunnan ammattikorkeakoulu (SAMK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Lead coordinating partner in BIOVAHVA project (Strengthening and Securing Satakunta's Bioeconomy). SAMK coordinates the project with Pyhäjärvi-instituutti, Prizztech, and Satafood as implementing partners.
• PrizztechmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Regional development company and co-implementer in BIOVAHVA project. Prizztech focuses on technology and innovation development in Satakunta.
• SatafoodmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Food industry development organization and co-implementer in BIOVAHVA project for Satakunta's food chain development.
• Alkutuotannon kasvu- ja vastuullisuusohjelmacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Growth and Responsibility Program for Primary Production established in 2021 to bring depth and impact to research and development in the region's primary production and entire food chain. The program enables the latest scientific innovations, production methods, and technologies to be rapidly and extensively deployed to regional stakeholders.
• JOKI-ohjelmacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Established in 2017, JOKI program aims to improve the state of overloaded Eurajoki and Köyliönjoki rivers. Combined with Pyhäjärvi protection program, it covers the entire Eurajoki river basin.
• Pyhäjärven suojeluohjelmacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1990Protection program for Pyhäjärvi lake that has done significant work since the mid-1990s to improve the lake's condition. Celebrating 30 years in 2024/2025.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/pyhajarviinstituutti
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pyh%C3%A4j%C3%A4rvi-instituutti

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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