Growth from Critical Technologies

We strengthen the capacity of domestic actors to succeed in internationally relevant technology sectors. Our goal is to accelerate Finland’s economic growth and exports, while enhancing the innovation capacity and resilience of our society.

We reinforce the national situational picture: We foster collaboration between the public and private sectors around critical technologies. To strengthen Finland’s shared understanding and strategic foresight, we have launched the Critical Technologies Forum, coordinated by Sitra in cooperation with Technology Industries of Finland and VTT.

We strategically fund initiatives that strengthen Finland’s critical technology landscape and deepen decision-makers’ understanding of growth opportunities in the technology sector. We also explore ways to attract technology experts to Finland.

Together with Technology Industries of Finland and VTT, we presented several measures to Finland and the EU to boost growth and security in the May 2025 publication Critical Digital Tech from Finland: Driving Growth and Security in Europe.

We support technology investments in Finland: We help Finland attract international investments and build a growth-oriented ecosystem. We also support the Government and Nokia in the EU’s gigafactory investment initiatives. We also supported FDCA’s (Finnish Data Center Association) data centre study, which highlighted the sector’s importance to Finland.

We promote innovation in the defence sector: We help build a comprehensive view of growth opportunities in defence industry. We advance innovation models in defence through collaboration with cities, authorities, the education system and other key stakeholders, boosting the sector’s development and international competitiveness.

We strengthen Nordic cooperation: Together with leading Nordic think tanks and companies, we are developing the Nordic Compass collaboration platform, aimed at promoting practical measures to enhance resilience, competitiveness and wellbeing across the Nordics.

Work on critical technologies began in spring 2025. Previously, Sitra explored the data and technology field under the theme of Fair Data Economy.

Finland’s prolonged economic slowdown poses challenges for the future of our society. At the same time, the shifting security environment and growing European investments create opportunities for Finnish actors. Europe is undergoing a historic wave of defence investment.

Technology is a global growth sector that Finland must participate in. Finland has a proven competitive edge in critical technologies such as space tech, quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Finland’s position as a technologically advanced nation creates both opportunities and responsibilities for international influence.

Closer collaboration between technology sectors and between public and private actors is essential to accelerate Finland’s economic growth.