BeScaled

25.6.2025 Uncategorized

About the Project & Riihimäki’s Role

The defence and security (DS) sector is expanding rapidly, but start-ups often lack the expertise and support needed to enter this market. BeScaled aims to boost DS sector growth in the Baltics by supporting 25 new start-ups and helping 40 non-DS companies pivot into the sector.

The project strengthens cross-border collaboration and knowledge-sharing, offering companies insights into dual-use technologies, business models, and scale-up know-how. BeScaled’s six-stage program includes value proposition development, company selection, roadmap creation, scale-up support, experience exchange, and access to European defence innovation ecosystems such as EUDIS, NATO DIANA, and the Digital Defence Ecosystem (DDE).

In Baltics, there are a strong potential in fields that could serve the DS sector—such as gaming, logistics, digital services, XR, and telecom technologies. BeScaled leverages Finland’s NATO membership and expertise to foster innovation and cross-border cooperation.

Riihimäki plays a key role in BeScaled by leading the development of value propositions and scouting promising companies through its extensive networks. As a hub of defence and robotics expertise, Riihimäki contributes practical know-how from its Robotics Campus and strong connections with defence forces and industry players.

The city leads the onboarding of start-ups and supports their transition into the defence and security sector through business and product development programs. Riihimäki also organizes key side events during major Baltic start-up gatherings and fosters international collaboration with EDF, NATO DIANA, and the NATO Innovation Fund.

In the final stage of the project, Riihimäki will help embed innovation into its accelerator, testbed, and RDI activities, ensuring long-term impact in defence-related ecosystems.