The Kvanttinova ecosystem in Finland is powering global spearheads in quantum, microelectronics, and photonics
Chips – the backbone of semiconductors, microelectronics, and quantum technologies – are among the critical technologies shaping our future. The Kvanttinova ecosystem joins players across these technologies, with the goal of creating new business, boosting competitiveness, and strengthening Finland’s contribution to Europe’s technological future. The emergence of multiple unicorns and the Helsinki region’s recent ranking as the top quantum cluster globally (ECIPE, 2025) are no coincidence, but a direct result of a culture of strategic collaboration, innovation creation, and a longstanding tradition of sharing resources. The ecosystem holds strong synergies and world-leading novel deep-tech in microelectronics, photonics, and quantum.
The Kvanttinova ecosystem covers the capital region of Finland, with a hotspot in Otaniemi, Espoo. The organisation facilitating the ecosystem, Kvanttinova Ltd, is a joint company of VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Aalto University, and the City of Espoo. Kvanttinova Ltd is also a partner in the Finnish Chips Competence Centre (FiCCC), connecting Finnish companies and researchers with semiconductor expertise and European networks. Together with its partner network, Kvanttinova helps companies, researchers, talent and investors access the expertise and connections needed to develop and scale new technologies.
“Together with our partner network, we are building an even stronger collaboration between research and industry, encouraging significant R&D and design site investments and attracting talent to enter the ecosystem. A thriving ecosystem means prospering businesses and a vast number of new jobs,” said Jussi Tuovinen, CEO of Kvanttinova Ltd.
In the Kvanttinova ecosystem, Aalto University’s education and research excellence connects with VTT’s strong expertise in applied research, specialised microelectronics processes, and quantum technology. This collaboration between education, research, and the business landscape forms the heart of Espoo’s vibrant innovation ecosystem, and thus Kvanttinova’s.
Today, more than 100 companies operate within the wider Kvanttinova ecosystem, alongside more than 2,000 researchers in Otaniemi. This concentration of research, infrastructure and companies makes it easier to find specialised expertise, build partnerships, and move technologies towards commercial applications.
From chips to systems
Collaboration is at the heart of the ecosystem. Companies, researchers and other members connect through events and spontaneous encounters, collaborate on common projects, and share research and development infrastructure.
By bringing together innovative circuit design, advanced materials, semiconductor processes, photonics, quantum technologies and system-level expertise, new devices and products can be created within the ecosystem. The environment supports product research and development from design and prototyping to proof-of-concept validation, piloting, and preparation for commercialisation.
Application areas span communications, healthcare, industrial automation, aerospace, defence and security, AI and quantum computing – connecting expertise from advanced materials and chips to integrated systems and end-user applications.
Local collaboration, global impact
One example of the strength of Espoo’s innovation community is Finland’s rapidly developing quantum technology sector. In 2025, Greater Helsinki was ranked as the world’s second most developed quantum cluster and the strongest in the EU by ECIPE, reflecting the region’s combination of commercial activity, collaboration, and ecosystem maturity.
The growth of Finland’s quantum ecosystem has been supported by long-term investment in research, expertise, and collaboration. A significant milestone was Finland’s first quantum computer, developed by VTT and the then-young IQM Quantum Computers. Now, IQM, a spin-off from Aalto University and VTT, will deliver a 300-qubit superconducting quantum computer to VTT in 2027, while also supplying systems to customers worldwide. In 2026, IQM became the first European quantum computing company listed on a major US stock exchange.
These developments demonstrate how Finland’s quantum ecosystem has grown from a strong research base into a mature commercial environment. Research, infrastructure, technology companies and skilled professionals exist in proximity, making it easier to move expertise between research and industry, form partnerships and develop commercial applications.
The same principle applies beyond quantum technology. Across semiconductors, photonics, MEMS, RF technologies and advanced materials, the ecosystem brings together complementary expertise that can help companies move from individual technologies towards complete devices and systems.
Infrastructure powering the ecosystem
The Kvanttinova ecosystem is built around VTT’s and Aalto University’s shared-use cleanrooms and R&D facilities in Micronova, including 2,600 m² of cleanroom infrastructure.
These facilities enable companies and research teams to develop, validate and pilot technologies without building the required capabilities themselves. This shared infrastructure has enabled the birth of over 30 startups, including unicorns such as IQM and ICEYE. Current infrastructure includes 200 mm wafer processing as well as specialised facilities for nanofabrication, characterisation, and quantum technology development.
The focus technologies include quantum technologies, post-CMOS processing, MEMS, RF technologies, integrated photonics, and materials development. VTT is also part of the Chips Joint Undertaking pilot lines FAMES, APECS, NanoIC and PIXEurope, connecting Finnish capabilities with the development of shared semiconductor infrastructure across Europe.
The next major step is the Kvanttinova Hub, expected to be completed in a couple of years. Located next to the existing facilities, the Hub will expand the cleanroom environment with new 300 mm processing capabilities alongside the existing 200 mm infrastructure. Once completed, companies will be able to rent cleanroom facilities at the Kvanttinova Hub or use VTT’s shared cleanroom spaces for research, development, and light manufacturing.
The expansion’s aim is to scale up a model that has already proven valuable: giving companies access to equipment, expertise, and piloting capabilities while lowering the barriers and investment required to develop new deep-tech products.
Reinventing the ecosystem – together we make the difference
As important as new facilities and infrastructure are, the strength of the Kvanttinova ecosystem comes from combining infrastructure with people and expertise. Kvanttinova Ltd helps companies, researchers, investors, talent and other partners navigate the ecosystem and find the right expertise, facilities, and partners. Through FiCCC, this support extends to wider Finnish and European semiconductor networks.
The ecosystem spans the journey from basic research to commercialisation. Aalto University provides world-class research and education, VTT connects research with applied R&D and industrial development, and a growing network of companies transforms technologies into products and businesses.
Talent is equally important for future growth. Kvanttinova collaborates with educational institutions, companies, and other partners to strengthen the availability of skills needed by the semiconductor and wider deep-tech industries, from educating new professionals to attracting international talent and supporting upskilling and reskilling.
The momentum is now
The integration of chips and systems is accelerating digitalisation across practically every industrial vertical. At the same time, developments in AI, communications, defence and security, healthcare and quantum technologies are creating new demands for the underlying semiconductor, photonics, and microelectronics technologies.
Finland has a strong foundation from which to respond. In the Kvanttinova ecosystem, Aalto University’s research and education, VTT’s applied R&D, and the City of Espoo’s vibrant innovation environment come together with a dense network of technology companies. By bringing together research, companies, talent, and investment, the Kvanttinova ecosystem helps move scientific discoveries towards commercially successful technologies – and individual chips and components towards complete systems.
As Europe expands its semiconductor value chains, ecosystems such as Kvanttinova can turn concentrated expertise and collaboration into new technologies, businesses, and growth. We welcome companies, researchers, investors, talent, and partners across semiconductors, photonics, and quantum technologies to explore opportunities for collaboration within the Kvanttinova ecosystem.
Please Note: This is a Commercial Profile
Please note, this article will also appear in the 27th edition of our quarterly publication.
