“The defence sector could lead the way in accelerating Finnish innovation” – Introducing Program Director Tomi Kankainen

Program Director Tomi Kankainen

We’re happy to introduce another excellent addition to the DDE team: Program Director Tomi Kankainen! With extensive experience in building and nurturing major ecosystems, Tomi brings exceptional skill in creating collaborative frameworks that deliver impact beyond the sum of their parts.

In recent years, he has played a key role in establishing several major initiatives, including the VAMOS Ecosystem for Autonomous Mobility in Smart Spaces, the SW4E Software Engineering Ecosystem, and the MEFI Metaverse Finland Ecosystem, which supports Finland’s national Metaverse strategy.

Tomi also has an extensive background in industrial and mechanical design, leadership roles, plus dual-use products through his previous roles at Savox and Fastems, among others. At DDE, his focus is in developing our members’ joint offering and discovering possibilities for collaborations and co-innovation.

“I want to contribute to strengthening Finland’s national defence and industry. DDE’s mission to mobilize innovation is critical from a broader industrial perspective. We must introduce more agility to ensure Finland maintains its competitive edge, resilience, and preparedness in the future.”

The New Defence field requires fast and radical innovation – something that isn’t possible without investors with risk-taking ability.

“The defence sector could lead the way in accelerating Finnish innovation and exports, setting an example for other industries. By doing so, we can position ourselves as an attractive platform for international investors seeking to back cutting-edge technologies.”

Contact Tomi to learn more about accelerating co-innovation at DDE!