nordic valley

Whom is it for

Key stakeholders in this effort include communities of:

• Founders & Entrepreneurs
• Investors
• Research institutions, universities, science parks
• Startup incubation and mentorship programs
• Governments and innovation agencies
• Corporate partners
• Community networks
• Media & industry influencers

Four distinct but interconnected levels

We want to connect us on four levels: 

• Personal Level: Beacon and Inspiration. Innovation thrives on human connections. At this level, we foster personal relationships, mentorships, and collaboration among the region’s brightest minds. We inspire individuals to push boundaries and provide them with the guidance and networks they need to succeed.

• Company Level: Connector and Supporter. DeepTech startups need more than just funding—they need the right connections. We help link startups to the partners, markets, and investors they need to scale their innovations. Our support ensures that science-driven ideas make it from the lab to the global market.

• Agency and Ecosystem Level: Leader and Facilitator. On this level, we lead collaboration between innovation agencies, business hubs, research institutions, regulatory bodies, and ecosystems. We combine resources, expertise, and funding structures to create the conditions necessary for DeepTech startups to succeed.

• Cultural and Values Level: Diversity and Proximity. The Nordics already share a significant portion of human values, but culturally we are as diverse of a region as they come. This mix of diversity and proximity, harnessed well, makes the Nordics much more than a great test site, it makes us the best place on Earth to begin, develop, scale, and thrive.

A plan for action

• Strengthen Agency and Ecosystem Collaboration. Begin by deepening ties between innovation agencies, research institutions, and ecosystems across the Nordics. Identify existing projects and opportunities for cross-border collaboration, ensuring that each country’s strengths are leveraged effectively.

• Launch Key Cooperation Projects. Initiate pilot projects that bring together partners from across the region to work on specific DeepTech challenges. These projects will serve as showcases of what’s possible when we align resources, knowledge, and expertise.

• Foster Knowledge Sharing. Create structured opportunities for knowledge exchange, including workshops, conferences, and digital platforms. This will ensure that best practices, research, and expertise flow freely between ecosystems and countries.

• Engage DeepTech Startups. Actively support DeepTech startups by connecting them with the right mentors, funding opportunities, and partners. Focus on removing obstacles that prevent startups from scaling within and beyond the region.

• Advocate for aligned Practices and Policies. Work with government agencies to work towards creating a more unified regulatory environment that supports DeepTech development. Let’s work to remove barriers that hinder cross-border cooperation and innovation.

What's in it for me

Let’s face it, you already do a lot. But there is more than one way to support and benefit from this initiative. Choose the track that suits you best.

• At a minimum, participating in the Nordic Valley offers the alignment of your current activities, ecosystems, and initiatives with a broader regional strategy. This alignment helps ensure that your efforts are connected to a larger, more impactful movement, creating synergies that benefit everyone involved.
• You’ll also gain access to knowledge sharing across a network of experts, researchers, and innovators from all eight Nordic countries. This exchange of insights and best practices helps accelerate development and unlocks new opportunities that might not be possible in isolated ecosystems.
• Beyond that, there’s the opportunity for active participation in cooperative projects—whether that’s joining cross-border research collaborations, accessing shared infrastructure, or engaging in joint initiatives that pool resources and expertise. These projects not only enhance your organization’s capabilities but also open doors to new markets and partnerships, positioning you as a leader in the future of DeepTech.

Why Startup Estonia?

We understand the struggles DeepTech startups face—gaps in support, misunderstanding of their unique needs, and the long timelines that make progress difficult. We also recognize the lost opportunities when promising innovations fail to reach their full potential due to these challenges. And we want to do something about it!

For this initiative to succeed, we need a leader who can bring together different ecosystems and create the right environment for DeepTech to grow. Startup Estonia is ready to take on this role.

We have a solid track record in supporting innovation and collaboration, and we understand the unique struggles that DeepTech startups face—long development times, complex needs, and gaps in support.

Let’s join forces to build the future in the Nordics.