Startups in Helsinki: ecosystem, companies and strengths
The pioneer of gaming and deep tech, home to Slush and an exceptional hacker culture.
Why Helsinki matters in the European startup ecosystem
Helsinki is one of the world's most mature hubs per capita. Built on Nokia's legacy, the city has transformed engineering talent into global leaders in gaming and deep tech software.
Why it works
- Technical talent above European average
- Good connection between research and startups
- Second growth engine beyond gaming
Historical growth
Helsinki built a second growth cycle after gaming and telecom, pushing into hardware, infrastructure software and space. The ecosystem has a very high average quality relative to its size.
Europe's most interesting startup stories. Every week.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
🌟 Covered by Scalable
Avrea
Avrea rebuilds CI/CD infrastructure for a world where AI generates more and more code.
DataCrunch
AI cloud on Nordic renewable energy: green GPU cloud for training and inference with near-zero carbon footprin
ICEYE
ICEYE builds and operates SAR satellites for sovereign intelligence, defence, insurance and environmental moni
IQM Quantum Computers
Finnish full-stack quantum computing company developing superconducting quantum computers for on-premise and c
Kelluu
Mobile-first platform connecting healthcare professionals with temporary work opportunities
Quanscient
Quanscient builds cloud multiphysics simulation for complex hardware design in the AI and quantum era.
Qutwo
Qutwo builds a European frontier AI lab for the quantum era, founded by Silo AI and IQM alumni in Helsinki in
Resand
Resand regenerates foundry sand through a Sand as a Service model installed directly at customer sites.
Sensofusion
Finnish defence tech company acquiring Atol Aviation to launch Sensofusion Aviation, strengthening air-to-grou
Skyfora
Skyfora turns existing telecom networks into a global atmospheric sensing platform.
TactoTek
TactoTek builds IMSE technology that integrates circuits, sensors and lighting directly into structural surfac
Strengths of Helsinki
- Excellent hub for deeptech and hardware
- Strong product culture
- Serial founders from gaming and telecom
- Seed is robust and competent, especially for deeptech. The main gap is in later stages, where international capital is still needed.
- Industry, telecom, software and climate generate a sophisticated demand base. Helsinki works best when a product must be co-developed with strong technical partners.
Weaknesses and limitations
- Small local market
- More limited growth capital than top hubs
- Geographic distance from large European markets
Key startups in Helsinki
Aiven
Finnish open-source data platform providing managed Kafka, PostgreSQL and other data services enabling developers to build data-driven applications.
Avrea
Finnish startup developing a CI platform compatible with existing workflows and directly accessible by AI agents.
Chipmetrics Oy
Leader in 3D semiconductor metrology, offering innovative test chips and wafers for precision process control in chip manufacturing.
DataCrunch
Finnish startup providing GPU cloud infrastructure powered by Nordic renewable energy. $117M in 2026 to expand green compute capacity in Europe.
FabPatch Oy
FabPatch is a high-quality, iron-on textile repair patch designed for ease of use anywhere, manufactured in Finland.
Futures Platform Oy
Industry standard for trend intelligence and foresight, helping organizations anticipate market change.
Hostaway Oy
Unified platform for managing short-term rental properties across multiple booking sites.
HoxHunt Oy
Next-generation security awareness training platform powered by AI and game design, building measurable cyber resilience for enterprise employees.
ICEYE
Finnish spacetech scaleup operating a SAR constellation for persistent Earth observation and critical data even through clouds, smoke or darkness.
IQM Quantum Computers
IQM builds full-stack superconducting quantum computers for enterprises, supercomputing centres, universities and national laboratories.
Kelluu
Mobile-first platform connecting healthcare professionals with temporary work opportunities.
Nosto
Nosto is a SaaS platform founded in 2011 in Helsinki that provides e-commerce personalization solutions through artificial intelligence. It offers personalized product recommendations, smart merchandising and content optimization on online stores. It serves global brands and retailers and has received investment from private funds, focusing on increasing sales and customer loyalty.
PromoRepublic Oy
Unified social media, listings, reviews, and analytics platform built for multi-location brands and franchises to improve visibility and drive local sales.
Quanscient
Finnish startup developing a cloud multiphysics simulation platform designed to generate physical data for AI-driven hardware design.
Quanturi Oy
Wireless temperature monitoring systems designed for hay, compost, grain, and other fermentable materials during storage, preventing spoilage and fire risk.
Qutwo
Finnish startup founded in February 2026 by alumni of Silo AI and IQM, building a European frontier AI lab connected to the new quantum computing paradigms. Raised €25M in an angel round at a €325M post-money valuation, backed by Xavier Niel, Yuri Milner, and Ilkka Paananen, with over €20M in contracted revenue already secured.
RELEX Solutions
RELEX Solutions is a unicorn-scale company with an indicative valuation of $6B. It operates in supply chain planning by building AI-driven retail planning and supply-chain optimization platform.
Resand
Finnish company enabling foundries to recycle almost all used sand, reducing virgin sand purchases, transport and waste.
SEMIQON TECHNOLOGIES OY
We at SemiQon are gearing up to enhance the expansion of quantum computing. Follow us as we embark on our journey.
Sensofusion
Finnish defence tech company acquiring Atol Aviation to launch Sensofusion Aviation, strengthening air-to-ground surveillance and counter-UAS capabilities.
Singa
Singa is a digital karaoke platform founded in 2015 in Helsinki. The app turns smartphones and tablets into virtual microphones, letting users sing along to streamed backing tracks from a vast catalog. Aimed at both consumers and venues (bars, events), it has received funding from Scandinavian investors and is available in several European countries, making karaoke accessible via app anywhere.
Skyfora
Finnish startup using mobile infrastructure and GNSS signals to generate high-density atmospheric data for weather models and climate intelligence.
Supermetrics
Supermetrics is a SaaS platform founded in 2009 in Helsinki that lets companies and agencies connect, manage and analyze marketing data from multiple sources (Analytics, social media, CRM, etc.). It helps generate custom reports and data insights without requiring coding skills. It has reached hundreds of millions in recurring revenue, largely through organic sales, becoming a leader in marketing data analytics.
Swappie
Swappie is a Finnish scale-up founded in 2016 in Helsinki that buys used smartphones, professionally refurbishes them and resells them online. Specialized in refurbished iPhones with warranty, it offers a sustainable alternative that reduces electronic waste. It has raised over €100 million in funding (Series C in 2022) and has become a European leader in the refurbished device market.
TactoTek
Finnish startup developing In-Mold Structural Electronics (IMSE) technology to embed circuits, sensors and lighting directly into lightweight structural surfaces for automotive and industrial design. Raised €60M in a growth round to accelerate production and OEM partnerships.
Varjo
Varjo is a Finnish startup founded in 2016 in Helsinki that develops industrial-grade VR and XR headsets for professional applications. Its ultra-high-resolution headsets are used in flight simulation, advanced training and engineering design. It has raised hundreds of millions of euros in funding and is considered a leader in precision virtual reality for industrial use.
Viima Solutions Oy
Innovation management platform enabling teams to collaborate, evaluate ideas, and drive strategic innovation at the speed of change within organisations.
VCs, accelerators and key players
Accelerators
Hubs & campuses
Key universities
Public support
Key sectors in Helsinki
What we can learn
- Hardware and software expertise can coexist in the same hub
- Role models in one sector can fertilise others