Business Tampere opens local office in Lviv, Ukraine
Credit: Business Tampere
Business Tampere has opened an office in Lviv, establishing a local presence in western Ukraine to help companies from the Tampere region build partnerships and identify business opportunities in the Ukrainian market.
The opening marks the next step in Business Tampere’s cooperation with Ukraine. Earlier in 2026, the organisation announced plans to establish a presence in Lviv. The office is now operational and provides companies with a local point of contact in Ukraine.
Nearly 100 representatives of Finnish and Ukrainian companies, partner organisations and the cities of Tampere and Lviv attended the opening. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi also joined the event.
“We are living through a period of major change. Ukraine is building its future and will become an increasingly significant part of the European economy. Alongside defence companies, interest in Ukraine has also grown in sectors such as energy and health technology,” said Harri Ojala, CEO of Business Tampere.
From networks to practical cooperation
Business Tampere has been developing its network in Ukraine together with companies and local partners. Several companies from the Tampere region have visited the country during 2026 to meet potential partners and gain a better understanding of the local market.
Around ten companies travelled to Lviv during the opening week. With support from Business Tampere, they met Ukrainian organisations and explored opportunities for direct business cooperation.
“We have an exceptional level of expertise in the Tampere region that is needed in Ukraine. We have built strong local contacts. Now was the right time to create a more permanent platform through which companies can move forward into practical cooperation,” Ojala said.
The Tampere region has expertise in several sectors relevant to Ukraine, including energy, health technology, advanced manufacturing, defence and dual-use technologies.
The Lviv office will help companies understand the local operating environment, identify potential customers and partners, and move from initial contacts towards concrete cooperation. It will also provide Ukrainian companies and organisations with a direct connection to the Tampere region’s business and innovation ecosystem.
Building cooperation between Tampere and Lviv
The office opening builds on a series of exchanges between Tampere and Lviv. Earlier in September, Ukrainian media representatives and Lviv Investment Director Andriy Pavliv visited Tampere to learn more about the region and meet local companies.
Business Tampere sees its presence in Lviv as a long-term platform for cooperation between the two regions. The aim is to support partnerships that respond to Ukraine’s identified needs and match them with relevant expertise from companies in the Tampere region.
For companies interested in cooperation with Ukraine, Business Tampere provides local market support through its Ukraine operations. The work is led by Country Manager Minna Tihinen, while Head of Defence Mika Kulkas and Director Markku Niemi, both based in Tampere, supports companies operating in the defence and dual-use sectors.
More information:
Mika Kulkas
Senior Advisor, Defence Industry, Colonel, ret.
+358 40 4877533
[email protected]
Markku Niemi
Director, Smart City
+358 50 5117 341
[email protected]
Minna Tihinen
Project Coordinator, Ukraine
+358 40 5313148
[email protected]