Beyond the rankings: Why collaboration is the next competitive advantage in deep tech
That simple observation, shared by Chris Bruce, Board Member of Cambridge Wireless, during the Cambridge × Espoo event in Finland earlier this year, perfectly captures one of the biggest opportunities deep tech ecosystems have today.
Breakthrough technologies are emerging from innovation hubs around the world. Still, as tech becomes more complex and global, success will increasingly depend on more than the strength of individual ecosystems. It will depend on the relationships between them.
The greatest opportunities arise when these ecosystems look beyond their own borders, connect complementary strengths, share knowledge, and open new pathways for collaboration.
So, rather than asking which innovation ecosystems are the strongest, a more valuable question is how the communities can learn from one another and accelerate innovation together.
Looking beyond the rankings
The latest ECIPE Global Quantum Index ranks the Greater Helsinki region (of which Espoo is a major part), second only to Cambridge as the world's leading quantum ecosystem. Having a leading position is naturally great for the City of Espoo and Finland. But that's not the point.
The point is that these multiple European centres of quantum excellence need to work together if they want to build on their success while strengthening Europe's deep tech footprint globally.
And perhaps Espoo’s open, collaborative working culture is one of the biggest strengths that we can bring to the table.
Cambridge and Espoo open new collaboration opportunities
That same collaborative spirit inspired the Cambridge × Espoo event, held in Espoo in June. Representatives from across the Cambridge and East of England innovation ecosystem joined Finnish counterparts to explore new opportunities for collaboration offered by Espoo’s three key ecosystems: Kvanttinova (a microelectronics and quantum RDI hub offering cleanroom facilities), Defence Tech Hub (one of Europe's leading deep tech dual-use innovation clusters), and Green Line (Finland's flagship green transition hub for green chemistry, circular economy and clean technology).
The event brought together organisations from the UK including Cambridge Wireless, Connected Innovation, Space East, Freeport East, the University of Essex and the British Embassy Helsinki, alongside Finnish participants from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Business Finland, Aalto Startup Center, Sisu Factory Global Growth and many others.
But the purpose wasn't to promote one ecosystem over another. The shared ambition was to recognise how both ecosystems can contribute across quantum technologies, semiconductors, AI, space, defence and dual-use technologies, and green tech, while strengthening international partnerships among research, industry, and investment communities.
Continuing the conversation at Cambridge Tech Week
For us, that conversation doesn't end in Espoo. It continues at Cambridge Tech Week in September. Enter Espoo is proud to return to Cambridge with a Finnish delegation at Innovation Alley, including the Millennium Technology Prize. The CEO of Enter Espoo, Jaana Tuomi, the Ambassador of Finland in the UK, Teemu Turunen, and Vice President for Defence and Security at IQM Quantum Computers, Jouni Flyktman, are speaking during Cambridge Tech Week, highlighting the importance of cross-border innovation.
Now that we're getting closer to the event, Mr. Bruce's words offer a timely reminder that innovation has always been about people as much as technology.
The future of deep tech won't be shaped by individual ecosystems working in isolation. The future is in the hands of people, organisations, and ecosystems working towards the same goals, together.
Meet us at the Enter Espoo Innovation Zone at Innovation Alley
Enter Espoo helps companies and investors enter Espoo, Finland and enables companies to grow in one of Europe’s leading innovation communities.
Callie Saloranta, Growth Advisor, Enter Espoo on LinkedIn
Jaana Tuomi, CEO, Enter Espoo on LinkedIn
The views expressed in this Sponsor article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Cambridge Tech Week.