Espoo and the United States: Accelerating Innovation and Opportunities

Collaborations between the United States and Finland are growing, featuring initiatives like NATO's DIANA programme, the United States Department of Defense's Foreign Comparative Testing programme, and business delegation visits to Espoo.

US Department of Defense Foreign Comparative Testing visit to Espoo

The purpose of the Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) Program is to find, assess, and field world-class products with a high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) to satisfy valid defense requirements more quickly and economically. The purpose for visiting Finland is to identify products or components that have potential to be admitted to the testing program.

The US DoD Foreign Comparative Testing Team will be in Espoo on 25 July. They will host an information session and one-on-one meetings. While the application deadline for one-on-one meetings has passed, the info session remains open to all. Register by 30 June here.

Espoo joins NATO's DIANA programme

Espoo will soon be part of NATO's DIANA programme, with an accelerator and a test centre set to be established at VTT's site in Otaniemi. VTT, in collaboration with Aalto University and the University of Helsinki, will manage the accelerator.

Espoo is one of the leading innovation communities in Europe, and the community's tradition in science-based innovations and multidisciplinary collaboration between companies, universities, and the public sector provides a reliable foundation for the DIANA network. By offering leading expertise in quantum technologies, semiconductors, AI, and cybersecurity, Espoo is ready to help solve many of the most pressing global challenges.

DIANA Deep Tech Accelerator for Startups

The DIANA accelerator is designed to support companies in developing deep technologies and innovations for both commercial and defense applications. It specifically targets startups and SMEs with limited experience in the defense and security sectors. The first application round for the Espoo accelerator will open in 2024.

Tips for those looking to enter the US market

For those aiming to enter the US market, Martti Wallin, Industrial Counselor at the Embassy of Finland in Washington, DC, offers the following advice:

World class products / services and resources for market entry are the key.
Know your competition and have your concise / to the point elevator pitch ready as well as an assertive attitude.
Be present and patient. The US market is huge and you have to commit to be successful.
Network, network, network. The importance of the right connections is paramount.
Always have the customer and end user in mind.