Tespack CEO, Mario Aguilera, discusses the benefits of tech development in Finland and the defence tech ecosystem, Defence Tech Hub, in Espoo.
Imagine a school teacher travelling to teach children in a remote area with a nonexistent energy grid and no internet connection. There may be no teaching equipment, and the only schoolbooks available are those the teacher can carry. Or think about a special forces soldier on the battlefield carrying an array of battery-powered equipment vital for the soldier's safety, but with no possibility to carry heavy tactical batteries to charge them.
Tespack's all-in-one, mobile micro-grid solution, Smart Solar Media System (S2MS), turns any room into a fully equipped classroom and provides a reliable power source on the battlefield. S2MS combines hardware and software, integrating a modular battery system, solar panels, audio and visual tech, and IoT software for tracking devices and energy generation in a compact, lightweight mobile solution to bring critical, reliable energy and internet access to any challenging environment.
Tespack is active in approximately 23 countries, collaborating with various NGOs, including UNICEF and Plan International. After the defence market opened to startups like Tespack in Finland, the company has transitioned its products to fulfil the defence industry's requirements. In addition to Espoo's Defence Tech Hub, Tespack is collaborating, for example, with the City of Riihimäki and Defence Innovation Network Finland (DEFINE). In November 2025, Tespack and the Ukrainian defence technology company Unwave signed a contract to set up a smart battery manufacturing facility in Riihimäki.
We interviewed Mario Aguilera, Tespack's CEO/founder and an ex-Bolivian army special forces soldier, about Tespack's technology and its involvement in Espoo's innovation community and Defence Tech Hub.
First, what are the critical benefits that make your solution unique among other means of providing energy and internet in challenging environments?
"In general, what differentiates our technology from other technologies in the market is that Smart Solar Media System is easy to use and maintain. You don't need to be an engineer to maintain the system, you can do it yourself.
"In terms of the defence industry, when you need energy on the move to power your devices, our system is the lightest and most viable for military operations because of its size and weight. It also doesn't leave heat or noise signatures behind."
How has Espoo's Defence Tech Hub helped your company?
"Finland has an amazing ecosystem for defence and an impressive defence history, which is why I think Finland can make the best companies in defence.
"A key reason Tespack is in Espoo is the Defence Tech Hub network. We have stayed here because we wanted to be part of it. Enter Espoo's Miska Hakala and Ossi Ritvos have been highly supportive of our technology and company, helping us to get into events like Knights of Nordics. There, we met investors and other relevant people, while, in the past, it was very difficult to get visibility for our technology.
"Through Defence Tech Hub and DEFINE in Riihimäki, we've been able to get more validation for our technology and make connections to work with the defence industry in Finland."
After living and working in several countries, why did you set up Tespack in Finland and Espoo?
"I'm from Bolivia, but I've also lived in the UK, South Korea, Hong Kong, Spain, the Netherlands, and now Finland. Finland is the only place where I was able to develop and get support in creating our technology, despite the technology being challenging.
"In the beginning, we, of course, had to prove ourselves and our technology. But when we won the EU prize for the best energy company, the government started supporting us, and everyone opened the doors for us to make our technology. That's actually when we moved to A Grid in Otaniemi, Espoo. Then we started getting to know the community.
"What I've realised about Finland is that if your technology is good, you will be supported. We've been able to get support from the government, be accepted into many networks, and get the help we needed to start moving forward.
"Even if Finland has one of the highest taxes in the world, you would be happy to pay them because you're paying to receive something that you need and can count on.
"Also, if you want to do hardware, this is the place to do it. Aalto University, VTT, and Otaniemi have a history of hardware development. It's beneficial to have all these organisations close by."
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Image: Bryce Komae, Unsplash