Why Finland - How Finnish Technologies and Digital know-how have Changed the World

The video script begins with Petra Cerdelling, an advisor at Business Finland, welcoming viewers to the webinar focused on foreign direct investments in Finland. She introduces herself and her background in software development, specifically her 12-year tenure at Nokia. Petra outlines the agenda for the webinar, which includes discussions on Finland's appeal for foreign investments, digital technologies, cleantech, and circular economies. She also introduces her colleague, Megan Williams, who will discuss cleantech and bio-economy. The webinar aims to provide insights into Finland's business environment, engineering prowess, and quality of life, emphasizing its attractiveness as a destination for foreign investments.

This paragraph highlights Finland's status as a global leader in innovation and its high concentration of R&D professionals per capita. Petra discusses Finland's achievements in international patent applications, its top-ranking business environment, and its success in e-participation and mobile app creation, largely due to Nokia's legacy. She emphasizes the country's strong focus on numbers and facts, showcasing Finland's proficiency in technology and engineering. The slide presented by Petra illustrates Finland's position on various global indexes, emphasizing its potential as a hub for American companies looking to tap into a dense network of engineers and innovative startups.

Petra continues by discussing the business opportunities in high tech and services, and the role of Business Finland as the Finnish government's innovation funding arm. She mentions the significant funding from both private and public sectors, which has contributed to the growth of Finnish startups. The paragraph also highlights the success of the Slush event, an international startup event, which, despite being canceled in 2020, serves as a platform for investment deals and celebration of the startup culture in Finland. Petra then lists several major American companies that have established their presence in Finland, including IBM, Qualcomm, John Deere, Google, and GE, showcasing the country's attractiveness as a destination for foreign direct investment.

In this paragraph, Petra talks about Finland's contributions to digital technologies, many of which are widely used globally but less known to originate from Finland. She mentions popular gaming franchises like Angry Birds and Clash of Clans, the Linux operating system, and version control system Git. Petra also highlights Nokia's innovations, such as text messaging and various network standards, and the company's ongoing role in 5G technology. The paragraph emphasizes Finland's history of technological innovation and its ongoing impact on the global tech landscape.

Petra discusses the various digital technology programs that Business Finland supports, including cybersecurity, AI, intelligent connectivity, the new space economy, smart mobility, gaming, VR/AR, and fintech. She explains that these programs are underpinned by strong ecosystems comprising startups, established companies, universities, and research institutes. Petra also mentions Finland's unique IPR system, where private companies can retain rights when working with universities, and the country's open system that allows researchers to work in both academic and startup environments. The paragraph highlights the collaborative nature of Finland's tech sector and the opportunities it presents for foreign investors and companies.

Petra concludes her presentation by emphasizing Finland's commitment to international cooperation and the support available for foreign direct investments. She outlines the services provided by Business Finland, including data collection and analysis, guidance on investment opportunities, and assistance with networking and setup in Finland. Petra also mentions the Startup Visa program, which offers a fast track for entrepreneurs looking to establish a company in Finland. She assures viewers of the confidentiality and free nature of Business Finland's services, setting the stage for Megan to discuss clean tech opportunities in Finland.

Megan Williams takes over the webinar to discuss clean tech opportunities in Finland. She starts by acknowledging the global challenges of climate change and Finland's ambitious goal to become carbon neutral by 2035. Megan highlights Finland's position as a leader in clean technology and renewable energy, with the country already at 38% carbon neutrality. She discusses the legislative and governmental support that has propelled Finland's clean tech sector, including its significant role in the battery industry, given its ability to mine cobalt and nickel within the country. Megan also touches on Finland's advancements in smart grids and district heating and cooling, both of which are key areas for the country's clean tech strategy.

Megan delves deeper into Finland's battery industry, emphasizing its potential to become a forefront sector within Europe, with an estimated value of 230 billion euros over the next 20 years. She mentions Finland's unique position as the only EU country capable of mining cobalt and nickel, which is crucial for battery production. The paragraph also discusses the smart energy ecosystem in Finland, including smart grids, buildings, and district heating, which are all part of the country's clean tech initiatives. Megan highlights the Finnish companies and organizations that are driving innovation in these areas and the government's role in supporting their growth.

In the final paragraph, Megan focuses on Finland's role in international cooperation and its strategic position for business expansion. She talks about the funding available for ecosystem projects and the development of smart solutions, as well as the networking opportunities with international and academic communities that Business Finland facilitates. Megan also mentions Finland's test beds, such as the Smart Altinemi and Olin Islands, which serve as platforms for companies to develop and showcase their technologies. She concludes by highlighting Finland's strong innovation support from the government and its appeal as a gateway to both European and Asian markets, encouraging international businesses to take advantage of the opportunities Finland offers.