The DEFINE dual-use technology business accelerator is a project co-funded by the European Union for the period 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2026, with the City of Riihimäki as its main implementer. The expertise already existing in Riihimäki provides an excellent platform for a business accelerator focusing on dual-use technologies. The accelerator is targeted especially at the needs of small and medium-sized high-tech companies in Kanta-Häme that are interested in developing their business and in selling their products and services to the defence and security sector as well. The accelerator is part of the DEFINE network’s activities.

The business accelerator seeks out, trains and supports companies

A business accelerator means a comprehensive advisory service in business expertise. The purpose is to seek out, train and support companies that could make use of new sources of funding for their RDI activities. The accelerator’s measures support companies in developing new dual-use technologies, products and services for export markets. The project strengthens expertise and innovation activities, the development of new technologies, and the internationalisation of companies in the defence sector.

The aim of the project is to increase expertise and understanding of dual-use technologies and the related business opportunities in small and medium-sized enterprises and startups in Kanta-Häme and beyond. The goal is to generate growth in the international business of Finland’s defence and security sector.

Help for local companies to grow internationally

Teemu Seppälä, Director of the City of Riihimäki’s Technology and Innovation division, is excited about the project.

“It is particularly delightful to be able to help our local companies grow internationally. International financial institutions have opened their funding taps for companies developing dual-use technologies, and there are plenty of these opportunities – as long as companies have first managed to take the necessary first steps. Even on a global scale, there are few actors offering local help to companies developing security, defence and dual-use technologies, and this is exactly the need we are responding to.”

The business accelerator is a continuation of the DEFINE network coordinated by the City of Riihimäki. The network brings together the Finnish Defence Forces, defence and security companies, educational institutions and research institutes.