VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd is a state-owned and controlled non-profit limited liability company. VTT is the largest research and technology company and research centre conducting applied research in Finland. It provides research and innovation services and information for domestic and international customers and partners, both in private and public sectors. VTT is part of Finland's innovation system and operates under the mandate of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. History Technical Research Institute of Finland (VTL) (1942–1972) VTT – then called the Technical Research Institute of Finland (VTL) – was founded on 16 January 1942 by President Risto Ryti’s decree. Its mission was to engage in technical research for the benefit of science and society as a whole. Construction started immediately, and the research institute was completed in autumn 1943. The volume of the building was 20,000 cubic metres, and seven of VTT’s first ten laboratories were placed in the building. After the war, VTT expanded rapidly and was particularly occupied with the quality assurance of war compensation products. In 1950, the research institute comprised 15 laboratories. The state bought the land of Otaniemi Manor in 1949, and in 1955 the laboratory of mining technology moved to Otaniemi as the first VTT laboratory. In the 1960s, VTT grew to be the largest research institute in Finland, employing more than 400 people. VTT was an internationally recognised research centre. In the 1970s, the research institute underwent extensive modernisation, such as simplifying the administration and expanding the testing activities to research. Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) (1972–2009) In March 1972, the Technical Research Institute of Finland changed its name to Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT, Valtion teknillinen tutkimuskeskus, National Technical Research Centre). VTT received new tasks due to the strong growth and diversification of industrial activities. It also participated in research related to the restructuring of society. The activities focused on technology research and the associated development work. In 1990, VTT had almost 6,000 cubic metres of underground laboratory space in Otaniemi and 15,000 square metres excavated at a depth exceeding 20 metres. In June 2007, the Ministerial Working Group on Administration and Regional Development supported the proposal of the Ministry of Industry and Trade to launch the preparatory work for transforming VTT into a state enterprise in early 2009. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (2010–2014) A new name was introduced in 2010: VTT Technical