Business Tampere to Lead Delegation to Austin and Houston in March 2026

The export promotion visits, organized by Business Tampere together with Business Finland and Team Finland USA, are designed to connect Finnish growth companies with U.S. partners, investors and ecosystem leaders. Companies may join either city program or combine both for a comprehensive Texas market visit.

Houston: Healthcare, Aerospace and Energy (March 9–11, 2026)

The delegation will begin in Houston (March 9–11, 2026), focusing on healthcare, aerospace, energy, advanced manufacturing and dual-use technologies.

Houston is home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center and a rapidly growing commercial space and defence ecosystem, including companies such as Axiom Space and Barrios Technology. The region also hosts one of the world’s largest energy and health technology industries, supported by Texas’ business-friendly environment and expanding industrial capacity.

The Houston program includes:

• Targeted company-to-company meetings with organizations such as Chevron, KBR, Axiom Space and Barrios Technology
• Direct engagement with the Texas Medical Center ecosystem, including institutions such as MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Houston Methodist–Rice University Digital Health Institute
• Assessment of U.S. market-entry pathways and regulatory realities
• Networking opportunities through the Finnish Consulate in Houston

The Houston track is particularly relevant for:

• Health and MedTech companies
• AI, sensor, autonomy and secure systems developers
• Technology and solution providers for energy, aerospace and defence projects

International House Tampere will also participate, supporting discussions related to talent mobility and employer branding together with Tampere University and the City of Tampere.

Austin: AI, Big Tech and Scale-Up Growth (March 12–18, 2026)

Following Houston, the delegation continues to Austin (March 12–18, 2026). The visit coincides with South by Southwest (SXSW), one of the world’s leading innovation and technology gatherings, bringing together global investors, accelerators, corporations, media and startups across more than 200 themed events during the week.

Austin has evolved into one of the most dynamic technology hubs in the United States, home to major operations by companies such as Tesla, Apple, Google, Meta, Amazon and Samsung. The city combines strong university research, applied AI development and a thriving startup culture.

The Tampere delegation will engage with local accelerators and innovation hubs including Capital Factory and International Accelerator, offering Finnish companies structured pathways into the U.S. market.

The Austin visit is targeted at:

• Growth companies with active U.S. market ambitions
• AI, software and data-driven businesses
• Scale-ups seeking investors, partnerships or pilot customers
• Executives interested in understanding U.S. technology commercialization models

Tampere has built active partnerships with key stakeholders in Austin, with collaboration focused on innovation, technology development and internationalization.

 A Nordic Gateway to U.S. Collaboration

The Texas visit is part of Tampere’s broader strategy to deepen industrial and technology cooperation with the United States. Texas has emerged as one of the fastest-growing U.S. state economies, combining industrial scale, energy transition investment and rapid technology commercialization, making it a strategic landing point for Nordic technology companies.

Tampere is one of Finland’s leading technology regions, with strong clusters in AI, semiconductors, healthcare innovations, advanced manufacturing, defence industry supply chains and dual-use technologies.

By combining Houston’s aerospace and healthcare ecosystem with Austin’s startup and Big Tech environment, the March program offers U.S. stakeholders direct access to Nordic high-tech companies seeking partnerships, pilots, co-development opportunities and market expansion.

The delegation will include senior regional representatives and executive leaders from Finnish high-tech companies.

For U.S. companies, investors and ecosystem partners interested in meeting the Finnish delegation in Austin or Houston, contact:

• Kristian Valkama, Director, Data Economy & AI – kristian.valkama@businesstampere.com 
• Pertti Aimonen, COO – pertti.aimonen@businesstampere.com
• Mika Kulkas, Head of Defence – mika.kulkas@businesstampere.com 

Read more: Texas market entry program 2026 - Business Tampere

About Tampere
Tampere is Finland’s second-largest urban region and a leading Northern European hub for AI, semiconductors, intelligent machines and dual-use technologies. The region is home to globally operating industrial companies and a strong innovation base serving European and NATO supply chains, linking Finland to global markets.