BeScaled

We are increasing the number of defence and security (DS) sector growth companies in the Baltics. At the same time, we are strengthening collaboration to drive innovation for DS markets.

In Baltics, we have a lot of potential industries which could serve the DS sector, E.g. gaming, logistics, digital services, XR, AI and telecommunications products and services. DS sector crossborder start-up acceleration collaboration is crucial as Finland has joined NATO and it must learn
from Estonia’s experiences. Estonia needs technology know-how from Finland.

The defence and security (DS) sector market is growing faster than the number of SMEs. A Baltic cross-border network is needed to enable firms to serve the growing market. As the opportunities and needs of the sector are not recognised it´s hard for start-ups to pivot to the DS sector. The collaborative knowledge creation for innovations to serve the DS market is under-developed in the Baltic region. The entrepreneurship support functions do not know the innovation competence of start-ups. Non-DS sector start-ups do not have enough information and know-how on dual-use technologies or the optimal DS sector business models.

Project duration: 36 months from 1.5.2025 – 30.4.2028

Objective: Together with HAMK, XAMK, TLU, and City of Riihimäki our main objective is to help 40 non-DS sector start-ups pivot to the DS sector.

Target group

SME – non-DS sector companies that would have ambition and potential to grow to DS sector. Less than 5 years old companies that could potentially offer products and services to increase the defense capability or national security in Baltics. Participating companies will be attracted from various industries and from both countries; Finland and Estonia. Target group is reached via continuous awareness raising by organising pitching events, investor meetups, mini-hackathons, fireside chats during main technology and start-up events.