Helsinki’s Delegations as a service turns international networking into tangible results
International delegations service brings startups from the Helsinki region to major events as a coordinated group. The service boosts credibility and converts networking into concrete results.
Business Helsinki offers international delegation services to SMEs and startups through the AIStart project. The delegation model combines strategic preparation, ecosystem access, and practical coordination, enabling companies to focus on entering international markets.
AIStart’s delegation activities are built around a simple idea: internationalization works best when done together. Companies travel as a coordinated group to key European tech events, backed by Business Helsinki’s networks, credibility, and hands on support before, during, and after the journey.
– International delegations are not just about SMEs attending events, they’re about accelerating trust and market entry. When companies go together with a strong ecosystem partner, doors open faster, says Aline Santa-Izabel, AIStart’s Networks and Ecosystems Manager at Business Helsinki.
From Helsinki to the Nordics
Finland, Sweden, and Denmark form a globally competitive innovation region where expertise and strengths complement each other, and which, together with the Baltic countries, has strong potential for closer regional collaboration.
During 2025–2026, AIStart and Business Helsinki organized three international delegations to leading Nordic tech events:
– TechBBQ 2025 (Copenhagen, Denmark)
– GoWest 2026 (Gothenburg, Sweden)
– Tech Arena 2026 (Stockholm, Sweden)
33 startups participated, representing sectors such as AI, HealthTech, MedTech, PropTech, EdTech, and sustainability. Delegations included curated side events, company visits, informal networking sessions, and on site coordination, all designed to foster high quality encounters rather than random exposure.
Tangible results and measured impact
Feedback collected from participating companies highlights strong and consistent outcomes across delegations:
– A relevant number of high-level leads per startup
– Investor meetings and warm introductions
– Partnership discussions and pilot negotiations
– Several customer cases already secured in Sweden and Denmark
– Strategic insights rated up to 10/10 by founders
Participants reported that being part of a coordinated delegation increased credibility, especially in discussions with investors and potential partners.
What worked – and what’s next
Side events, company visits, and intimate networking sessions were consistently rated as the most valuable elements in the delegations. Founders also emphasized the importance of traveling alongside fellow startups from the Helsinki region, strengthening peer networks while expanding internationally.
– Our goal is to help startups scale internationally with confidence, and to make sure no one must do it alone, says Santa-Izabel.
According to Santa-Izabel, next delegations are already planned with other Business Helsinki’s internationalization services Sisu Factory Go Global, Health Incubator Helsinki and Startup Advisory Services.
