Key industries in Kajaani

Kajaani has become an internationally significant location for data centers and a player in the field of high performance computing. Kajaani offers a unique environment for data centers – its cold climate, clean energy and advanced telecommunications make it an attractive location for the development of HPC and data center activities.

Alongside CSC’s national supercomputers and the pan-European LUMI supercomputer, Kajaani is home to other private data center operators, such as XTX Markets and Borealis Datacenters. The data center environment is supported by a diverse range of technology companies and experts, focusing on both digital systems and IT infrastructure development. The City of Kajaani and the data center operators are working together to develop the Kajaani data centre ecosystem to an even larger size, seeking to focus on new players and new data business areas.

A vital part of the ecosystem and its growth are the Kajaani University of Applied Sciences’ education programs and reseach activities in data center operations and data utilization.

Kajaani’s games industry is an innovative and growing part of the city’s technology sector. There are several game companies in the area, with a special focus on game development and technological solutions. Kajaani University of Applied Sciences is a major educator of game professionals, and through education new ideas and projects are constantly being created, strengthening Kajaani’s position as a centre for the game industry.

Kajaani’s games sector is supported by close cooperation between companies, educational institutions and technology companies, creating a unique environment for innovation and new game concepts. This co-operation is strengthened in particular by the GameCity Kajaani project, which aims to create new successful game companies in the region. Kajaani’s games sector is a dynamic entity offering a wide range of opportunities for both local and international players.

The history of expertise in measurement technology in Kajaani dates back fifty years when Kajaani Oy, focused on paper, timber, and pulp production, initiated electronic manufacturing, including sensor and automation technology for the paper industry. Over time, Kajaani evolved into a hub for research, education, and business in measurement technology, becoming a national center of expertise in measurement technology. The City of Kajaani’s sustained strategic choices in economic policy have supported the formation and development of the measurement technology cluster.

In Kajaani, numerous companies are engaged in the development of software and digital systems, catering to a diverse range of industries from public administration to the forest industry, and from health technology to military communications, as well as many other sectors of business. The software companies in Kajaani create high-tech solutions for both large domestic clients and international markets. A common characteristic of these companies in the industry is the strong commitment of their personnel to the company and its goals, a trait also distinctive across other sectors in Kajaani

In Kajaani, one of Europe’s notable rolling stock manufacturers, Skoda, operates the only plant of its kind in the Nordic countries. Skoda’s trams are integral to the cityscapes of Helsinki and Tampere, while the carriages for VR’s Intercity trains are also produced at the Kajaani factory. Skoda stands as the largest private employer in Kajaani. The Terrafame chemical plant and mine in the neighboring municipality of Sotkamo hold significant importance for Kajaani, as many of Terrafame’s employees reside in the city. Additionally, numerous companies in the subcontractor network operate from Kajaani. The carbon footprint of the nickel sulfate produced by Terrafame’s battery chemicals plant for electric vehicle manufacturers is already among the smallest in the industry. Both major industrial enterprises employ several hundred individuals, and the demand for new skilled professionals is continuous

The retail sector is a significant employer in Kajaani. In addition to retail and specialty stores, Kajaani hosts national service centers. The local merchants’ association in Kajaani includes dozens of members.

Kajaani is a destination particularly appealing to enthusiasts of culture and nature tourism. Ärjänsaari, Lake Oulujärvi, Rauniolinna, Runoviikko (Poetry Week), and the city theater stand out as Kajaani’s most renowned tourist attractions. Just a half-hour drive from Kajaani is Finland’s largest tourist center, Vuokatti, drawing over a million visitors annually. Tourism in the Kajaani region provides employment opportunities in accommodation, restaurant, and retail sectors while offering numerous possibilities for entrepreneurial ventures.

Kajaani has strong cultural and historical roots, and culture remains a significant attraction for the city today. Elias Lönnrot wrote the Kalevala in the landscapes around Lake Oulujärvi, where the national poet Eino Leino also spent his childhood. Currently, Kajaani is home to many professionals in the cultural sector, including performing arts, dance, liberal education, and cultural history. Kajaani is one of the implementing municipalities for Oulu2026, the European Capital of Culture. The importance of culture in enhancing the city’s attractiveness and vitality is recognized in the city’s strategy and economic development program