Member introduction: Wirepas
Are you familiar with mesh technology? DDE member Wirepas can scale ultra-resilient and reliable mesh networks infinitely, without wires. Head of Partner Growth Oula Välipakka explains what Wirepas is capable of, and how DDE can benefit from their technology.
"We offer world-class expertise in mesh networking and wireless technology. Every device added to the network extends its coverage – as long as it connects to a neighbouring device. There is global demand for decentralised, infrastructure-free networking technology. We already have references in the defence sector, such as the German Federal Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Navy. Approximately 80% of our revenue comes from international markets."
What expertise do you offer?
"In Finland, as an example, Posti’s smart lockers utilise our technology. Each lock is part of the Internet of Things (IoT), enabling two-way communication. With mesh technology, a network can be quickly set up without any wires, for example, to support maintenance and repair operations, command centres, or storage hubs. Wireless mesh networks offer benefits in logistics, material management, and operational reliability, such as tracking inventory quantities and locations.”
Why are you a DDE member?
“The Wirepas ecosystem includes over 200 licensees. Our success is directly tied to the success of our customers, which motivates us to enable their growth. Being an ecosystem ourselves, we have a lot to contribute to the development of DDE. We are a growth company operating at a fast pace. For us, DDE serves as a business development platform, helping us create synergies, establish new connections, and gain fresh perspectives.”
How do you see DDE’s role in Finnish society?
“Bringing together organisations of different sizes and dual-use technologies under one roof, and fostering close cross-pollination as an ecosystem, is truly exceptional – when compared to let’s say the United States. The ecosystem is built on mutual trust. I see DDE as a door opener for both Finland and the international defence industry, as well as NATO. From the perspective of society or any field of technology, Finland Inc. is a small player, and we achieve far greater impact when we work together.”
What are your company’s future goals?
"Our major goal is for NATO countries to utilise our technology in various applications, such as asset tracking and sensor-based applications. Within DDE, we are planning a live demo with some of our customers and having exciting discussions about leveraging mesh technology in drones. We are also achieving growth in smart metering. In the coming years, 500 million electricity meters will be connected in India, and we are on track to capture 50% of that market."
