Espoo, Finland, at Cambridge Tech Week 2026
To seize the biggest opportunities, deep tech ecosystems need to look beyond their own borders and open new pathways for collaboration. In her blog ahead of Cambridge Tech Week 2026, Callie Saloranta, Enter Espoo's Growth Advisor, discusses how innovation ecosystems need to focus on accelerating innovation together, rather than simply ranking which ecosystems are the strongest.
"You need to know the people trying to do the same thing as you, but elsewhere."
Chris Bruce, Board Member at Cambridge Wireless, perfectly captured one of the biggest opportunities for deep tech ecosystems during the Cambridge × Espoo event in Finland in June.
Game-changing success will depend on more than the strength of individual deep tech ecosystems. It will depend on the relationships between them. To seize the greatest opportunities, ecosystems need to look beyond their own borders, connect complementary strengths, share knowledge, and open new pathways for collaboration.
So, rather than asking which innovation ecosystems are strongest, we should ask how the communities can learn from one another and accelerate innovation together.
Looking beyond the rankings
The latest ECIPE Global Quantum Index ranks Espoo, as a major part of the Greater Helsinki region, second only to Cambridge as the world's leading quantum ecosystem.
However, being one of the best isn't the point. The point is that these quantum ecosystems need to work together to be able to build on their own success while strengthening Europe's deep tech footprint globally.
Espoo hosts Finland's leading deep tech ecosystem offering three key ecosystems: Kvanttinova (a microelectronics and quantum RDI hub offering cleanroom facilities), Defence Tech Hub (the Nordic's leading dual-use, deep-tech hub), and Green Line (Finland's flagship green transition hub for green chemistry, circular economy and clean technology).
Along with the trio of ecosystems, perhaps Espoo's open, collaborative working culture is its biggest strength that we can bring to the table.
Cambridge and Espoo open new collaboration opportunities
The same collaborative spirit motivated the Cambridge × Espoo event. The event brought together organisations including Cambridge Wireless, Connected Innovation, Space East, Freeport East, the University of Essex and the British Embassy Helsinki, alongside Finnish participants from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Business Finland, Aalto Startup Center, Sisu Factory Global Growth and many others.
But the people weren't there to promote one ecosystem over another. Their shared ambition was to recognise how both ecosystems can contribute across quantum technologies, semiconductors, AI, space, defence and dual-use technologies, and green tech, while strengthening international partnerships among research, industry, and investment communities.
Continuing the conversation at Cambridge Tech Week
That continues at Cambridge Tech Week in September. Enter Espoo is proud to return to Cambridge with a Finnish delegation at Innovation Alley.
And, now that Cambridge Tech Week is just around the corner, Mr Bruce's words offer a timely reminder that the future of deep tech won't be shaped by individual ecosystems working in isolation. The future is in the hands of people, organisations, and ecosystems working together.
Meet us at Cambridge Tech Week!
