Keys to successful tech innovation from Helsinki
Nokia’s reinvention, Supercell’s gaming success story, and the Finnish Information Security Cluster’s (FISC) cybersecurity strategy all hold lessons any business leader can learn from. Read on to get they keys growing your business and tech innovation from these industry leaders.
Lessons from Nokia on reinvention
You’ve likely heard the Nokia rise and fall story: Once the world’s top mobile phone producer, Nokia found itself up against shifting market demands and fierce competition brought by the iPhone.
We won’t go down that rabbit hole (there’s a whole book on it) but here are the top takeaways on how Nokia has continued to reinvent itself over the last 160 years.
Just keep evolving
Former Nokia CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo summed up Nokia’s challenge during their downfall: “It’s easy for things to start to feel comfortable in successful companies. It reduces the appetite for risk-taking and innovation.”
But Nokia’s story didn’t end there. Fast forward to today, and Nokia has reinvented itself as a B2B technology innovation leader, powering 35% of global internet connectivity and serving six billion users worldwide. Nokia’s evolution — starting as a paper mill in 1865 — shows that continuous reinvention and a keen awareness of market shifts are essential for ongoing business success.
“To succeed, you have to be able to reinvent yourself. And Nokia has done that,” summarises Veli-Pekka Luoma, Innovation & Ecosystem Lead for Mobile Networks at Nokia. Another long-time employee shared his experience of the company evolution, “29 years ago, I didn’t know I’d be selling drones!”
Embrace failures as learning opportunities
In the 1990s, Nokia struggled with a climate of fear and uncertainty that stifled innovation. But the company has since shifted its approach, turning challenges into stepping stones for growth.
“We don’t see failures — we see learning opportunities,” says Veli-Pekka. “Innovation requires preparation, the right tools, and creative freedom within a supportive environment. Psychological safety is crucial, allowing teams to explore and test ideas without fear. True success comes from testing, adapting, and ensuring our innovations are both safe and reliable.”
This change in mindset has transformed Nokia’s approach to failure, proving that a supportive environment and a commitment to learning can fuel ongoing success.
Encourage joint experimentation through ecosystems
Nokia’s achievements in 5G and multimedia technology showcase the power of collaboration. By partnering with experts across fields — from mining firms to universities — Nokia taps into a rich ecosystem to drive tech innovation forward.
“The world is changing,” says Nokia President and CEO, Pekka Lundmark. “Industries must adopt Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, including 5G, in order to keep up with customer expectations. This requires building ecosystems where we can jointly innovate with partners and customers.”
Lessons from Supercell: Helsinki’s success story
As Europe’s first decacorn, Supercell is a testament that “success can come from anywhere, even Helsinki—the most unlikely place to be building global developments,” as Pietari Päivänen, Lead & Special Projects at Supercell, puts it.
Despite its humble beginnings, Supercell has become a global leader by sticking to a few key principles.
Build the best teams — and give them autonomy
At the core of Supercell’s culture is freedom, independence, and responsibility — values you’ll find in many Helsinki-based companies. It’s not about having the best individual players; it’s about how well the team plays together. “We have a ‘no-ego’ principle — no one’s here for short-term gains or pats on the back,” says Pietari.
Teams (or cells) are given the reins to create and execute their vision. With employees from all walks of life — like ex-pro athletes and actual rocket scientists — each person adds a unique perspective. Teams operate like start-ups within the company, deciding how they work best.
“We flipped the traditional leadership model on its head and gave all the power to creators and game teams. Our CEO, Ilkka, even calls himself the least powerful CEO — and he likes it that way,” says Pietari.
While autonomy is crucial, Supercell ensures its tight-knit teams are well supported through mentoring and coaching.
Make space for openness and collaboration
Supercell’s success is rooted in Helsinki’s culture of openness and collaboration. “In Helsinki, everyone knows each other, and there are no secrets,” says Pietari. “We don’t talk about competitors; we talk about peers. We openly share information and learn from each others’ successes and failures.”
At Supercell, failure isn’t just accepted — it’s toasted with champagne. The company has a history of killing games that don’t hit the mark. “We’ve killed 100 games in the past year alone,” boasts Pietari.
In Helsinki, everyone knows each other, and there are no secrets. We don’t talk about competitors; we talk about peers. We openly share information and learn from each others’ successes and failures.
Pietari Päivänen, Lead & Special Projects at Supercell
This “fail fast” mentality pushes teams to experiment boldly, take risks and learn on the go, which mirrors Helsinki’s business culture.
Staci LaToison, Founder of Dream Big Ventures, host of the podcast Her Money Moves, and a 90 Day Finn 2024, shares: “The culture values transparency and collaboration. There’s a genuine openness to fresh ideas and perspectives, which creates an environment where ideas can flourish and grow.”
Collaborative
Open
Balance work and well-being
You can’t build good games if you burn yourself out. That’s the philosophy at Supercell, where employee wellbeing is a top priority. As Supercell’s CEO, Ilkka Paananen, puts it: “I know sometimes creating games is so much fun it’s hard to stop, but you have to take a break.”
In fast-paced work environments, the pressure of long hours and tight deadlines can take a toll on well-being. But in Helsinki, a balanced approach is baked into the culture. Even if competitors are pulling all-nighters, the reality is you can’t create from an empty cup.
Pietari shares: “Gaming is a creative industry, so working 24/7 doesn’t help. We make sure no one overworks and that everyone takes their holidays.” Sure, there’s crunch time around game launches, but after that, it’s all about recharging. This balance helps keep burnout at bay and productivity strong in the long run.
Lessons from FISC: A cybersecurity advocacy organisation
Finland is a global leader in digitalisation, and with great tech power comes great cybersecurity responsibility.
Here’s how the Finnish Information Security Cluster (FISC) boosts cybersecurity in Finland’s digital-first landscape, and what other companies can learn from their work.
Bridge the cybersecurity skills gap
As cyberthreats become more sophisticated — think high-tech ransomware and data breaches — organisations worldwide are struggling with a severe shortage of qualified experts.
FISC, founded in 2012 by top Finnish information security firms, tackles this issue on both a national and international level. The organisation not only helps companies navigate strategic cybersecurity challenges but also partners with industry giants like Nokia to accelerate job market transitions.
“We recognise that labour-based immigration is needed and we want to connect with a wider, more heterogeneous labour supply,” says FISC CEO Peter Sund.
FISC bridges the gap between education and industry by offering hands-on training and upskilling opportunities. “The startup ecosystem in cybersecurity is quite vibrant in Helsinki, including spin-offs from universities,” Peter adds.
With 9% of Finns in technical ICT roles and Helsinki home to 47% of the country’s skilled professionals, the city is a prime hub for tech talent you can tap into.
Cybersecurity facts from Finland
Develop layered security systems
Finland boasts the world’s lowest cyber danger score at just 12.6, according to a Reboot Digital PR report. Our strong security stance is driven by a commitment to safety and our proximity to high-risk areas. Even with attempts to activate malware 2–3 times every second, Finland’s layered security measures successfully block most attacks.
That’s why FISC recommends a diverse set of protections rather than relying on a single cybersecurity solution. “Think of it like an onion — multiple layers are more effective,” says Peter. “Using a range of solutions and a solid governance system helps manage and mitigate risks more effectively.”
What is unique about Helsinki’s cybersecurity expertise is that it is more focused on product-specific deep-tech technologies. Companies in Singapore are more focused on being a service provider.
Thines Rao Raman, Cybersecurity consultant
Cybersecurity consultant and 90 Day Finn 2024, Thines Rao Raman, notes Helsinki’s edge: “What is unique about Helsinki’s cybersecurity expertise is that it is more focused on product-specific deep-tech technologies. Companies in Singapore are more focused on being a service provider.”
Make compliance your competitive edge
Navigating the tsunami of new EU regulations, like the Cyber Resilience Act and NIS2, might seem overwhelming, but FISC emphasises the strong values they reflect.
“Mastering these regulations can feel like a burden, but it sharpens your focus and highlights the problems that need to be solved,” says Peter. “It’s tough now, but it sets the stage for a more secure and trustworthy digital environment.”
Rather than viewing compliance as a hassle, consider it a chance to improve your reputation and build resilient, robust systems.
Ready to expand your business to Finland?
At Helsinki Partners, our motto is simple: We match people with possibilities. While 90 Day Finns enjoy exclusive access to the city’s top companies, Helsinki Partners also provides tailored business support that fits your needs.
Whether you’re a business owner, scaleup, or multinational corporation, learn how we can help you expand your business globally.
Set up your business in Helsinki to tap into the EU market, join a thriving tech scene, and enjoy life-work balance (in that order). Welcome to the capital of the world’s happiest country, where work works.