Current affairs

Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation and Finpro, a provider of internationalisation advisory services, will be merged into a new operator carrying the working title Business Finland. Business Finland will gather all services related to the promotion of innovation funding, exports, investments and tourism under one roof. About 600 experts will be transferred to the new organisation.

Framery is a startup from Tampere, Finland, designing and manufacturing soundproof phone booths for open-plan offices. This one-of-a-kind business is growing rapidly, serving huge technology companies on both sides of the Atlantic.

Even though Finland and the Soviet Union concluded numerous treaties during the 1920s and 1930s, including a non-aggression treaty, the relationship between the two countries remained tense. Finland’s fate in the Second World War was tied to the Molotov–Ribbentrop pact made between Germany and the Soviet Union in August 1939.

Did you know that the famous Napa Valley is historically connected to Finland? In the spirit of Finland's centennial year, we are highlighting remarkable American entrepreneurs that have Finnish roots.

Marie Ridder travelled to Finland in 1947 when she was a 21-year-old reporter to cover the post-war negotiations between Finland and the Soviet Union. Ms. Ridder came to Finland from Sweden and she was shocked to see the difference between the countries: Sweden had everything and Finland had nothing. We spoke with Ms. Ridder about her experience.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate, President Martti Ahtisaari spoke in Washington, D.C., on March 23, stressing the importance of transatlantic cooperation and fundamental global values. 

Finland’s Minister of Defense Jussi Niinistö visited Washington on 21-22 March to attend a meeting of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS. During his visit, Minister Niinistö also had a bilateral meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis.

Assistant Liisa Rutanen has worked at the Finnish Embassy longer than any other current employee. We talked with Liisa about the past thirteen years and learned how life at the Embassy has changed during that time.

Secto Design is known for its simplistic yet playful lamp design. Locally produced but globally loved – that's what the Finnish company is all about. 

Finland and dancing go way back. Partner dancing has been, and still is, a popular pastime all over the country. One of the biggest Finnish cultural events is the annual Tangomarkkinat tango festival. To celebrate the centennial of Finland's independence, and the unique dance tradition of Finland, The Dancing Finland campaign has an inspiring and playfully competitive goal to get everyone to dance. Everyone can dance because dance belongs to everybody!