NATO & the Arctic Advantage: Business Opportunities for Nordic Companies

Sweden’s and Finland’s NATO membership marks a significant shift in the security, innovation, and cooperation landscape of Northern Europe, reinforcing the strategic importance of the Nordic and Arctic regions. Closer alignment with NATO allies is driving increased investment, new partnerships, and expanded opportunities for businesses operating in critical sectors.

For Nordic companies, these developments create opportunities not only in defence and security, but also in infrastructure, logistics, energy, advanced technologies, environmental monitoring, resilience, and dual-use innovation. New initiatives such as NATO DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) are opening pathways to funding, testing environments, international networks, and market access for innovative companies.

Join us to learn how Nordic businesses can leverage these developments to strengthen competitiveness, accelerate innovation, and unlock new growth opportunities in an increasingly integrated Nordic, Arctic, and transatlantic economy.

AGENDA

Business Beyond Norrbotten: Leveraging the Arctic Advantage

Sabrina Suikki, International Business Manager, Norrbotten Chamber of Commerce

What do NATO enlargement, Arctic development, and geopolitical change mean for companies in Northern Europe? Explore emerging business opportunities at the intersection of innovation, resilience, security, and international growth. Explore lessons learned, future opportunities, and practical advice for companies looking to grow through innovation, international collaboration, and the evolving Nordic and Arctic business landscape.

Kelluu Airships: From Arctic Innovation to Global Business Opportunities

Janne Hietala, CEO, Kelluu Airships | Revolutionizing Aerial Monitoring

A Nordic success story demonstrating how Arctic innovation can create global opportunities. Discover how Kelluu Airships transformed an ambitious startup vision in Finland into a breakthrough technology company selected for NATO’s DIANA program. Through autonomous airships for environmental monitoring, infrastructure resilience, and security, Kelluu Airships demonstrates how dual-use innovation can strengthen competitiveness, preparedness, and sustainable growth across the Arctic and Nordic regions.

From Industrial Technology to Dual-Use: Accelerating into New Markets

Antti Leskinen, CEO, APL Systems | Intelligent Acoustic Monitoring & Analysis

How can established industrial technology open new opportunities in defence and security? APL Systems shares its journey from acoustic monitoring and signal analysis towards new dual-use applications and markets. Drawing on the company’s current participation in Finland’s DEFINE Accelerator (Defence Innovation Network Finland), APL Systems shares its experiences of exploring the defence and dual-use ecosystem, developing new applications for proven technology, building partnerships with other international companies, and navigating the transition into new markets.

NATO DIANA in the Nordics: Scaling Arctic Innovation

Markus Häyhtiö, NATO DIANA Accelerator Program Manager at VTT DualUse Launch-Pad

Discover how NATO DIANA is creating new pathways for Nordic companies to accelerate and scale dual-use innovation. With Finland’s DIANA accelerator and test centre ecosystem already taking shape, and LEAD now appointed as Sweden’s NATO DIANA accelerator, the Nordic innovation landscape is rapidly evolving. Learn how companies can access acceleration, testing environments, international networks, and new market opportunities through NATO DIANA – and how Arctic innovation and testing capabilities can contribute to the wider NATO innovation ecosystem.

Ask the Experts: Turning Arctic Innovation into Global Business Opportunities

Moderated session with the speakers by Sabrina Suikki, International Business Manager, Norrbotten Chamber of Commerce

Target Audience

Companies engaged in international trade or considering expansion into new markets.

Language

The webinar will be held in English.

Recording

Unable to attend live? Register anyway and receive access to the recordings afterwards.

Organized by

Norrbotten Chamber of Commerce

TRADE TALKS by Swedish Chambers

Trade Talks by Swedish Chambers is a joint initiative of Sweden’s regional Chambers of Commerce. The webinar series brings together experts, businesses, and the Swedish Chamber network worldwide to share insights on international markets, business opportunities, and global trends. Each webinar is developed in collaboration with experts from the Swedish Chamber network, leading market specialists, and companies and organizations that share valuable experiences, business insights, and lessons learned from their respective markets. Join us to explore new business opportunities for growth and international expansion. Participate live or access the recordings afterwards at your convenience.

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