ESCALTECH in Action: Three Start-Ups Turning Ambition into Growth

ESCALTECH is designed to give ambitious technology start-ups the tools, guidance, and networks they need to realise their full potential.​

The following three examples from Finland, Latvia, and Estonia show how the programme has helped companies expand across borders, strengthen their capabilities, and build sustainable growth paths.​

Auve Tech (Estonia): Building Trust in Autonomous Mobility

Auve Tech, an Estonian pioneer of autonomous shuttle vehicles, joined ESCALTECH with a clear mission: to expand international operations, grow the team, and strengthen their go-to-market strategy. Founded in 2018 as a spin-off from university research, the company had already developed a complete in-house technology stack and deployed shuttles in several countries. Still, reaching new markets required visibility, validation, and strategic support.​

ESCALTECH provided tailored training, international benchmarking opportunities, and curated networking events. These activities helped Auve Tech refine their commercial approach and access new markets in Southern Europe. A breakthrough moment came when the company secured strategic partnerships in France and Italy after participating in pitching sessions and panel discussions in Seville.​

Autonomous mobility is a field where many companies have overpromised, resulting in market hesitation. Auve Tech tackled this challenge through real-world deployments, rigorous testing, and transparent communication. With ESCALTECH’s support, they were able to present their technology on credible international stages, contributing to lasting growth and increased trust in their solutions.

Eligent (Latvia): Expanding from National Engineering Team to European Player

Eligent, a Latvian engineering company working at the intersection of IT and critical physical infrastructure, joined the first ESCALTECH batch aiming to take a significant step beyond their home market. Their expertise spans industrial automation, robotics integration, and engineering services for power plants and energy systems. Before joining the program, the company consisted of four to five engineers developing advanced systems on a case-by-case basis.​

Through ESCALTECH, Eligent sought support in productising their services, expanding their team, and entering new markets. The program helped them benchmark their business model, understand customer needs from a broader perspective, and sharpen their product definitions. Mentoring provided guidance on pricing, value propositions, and market positioning—areas often challenging for engineering-driven teams.​

One of the most significant outcomes was Eligent’s successful entry into the Finnish market. Tailored market research and networking introductions led to a cooperation with a Finnish system integrator, culminating in their first international project. This milestone proved their capacity to deliver demanding engineering work abroad and increased their confidence in pursuing future opportunities.​

Since joining ESCALTECH, Eligent has doubled their team from five to nine people and strengthened their turnover year by year. They now have a full year of projects ahead, a clear signal that their strategic direction is working.​

Softlandia (Finland): Making Applied AI Accessible and Scalable

Softlandia, a Finnish applied AI company, represents the next generation of European deep-tech scale-ups. Founded in 2022, the company provides expertise in LLMs, AI/ML, cloud architecture, IoT, and sensor fusion. They combine strong technical skills with a hands-on, collaborative working culture that clients value.​

When Softlandia joined ESCALTECH, they set two ambitious goals: establishing a presence outside Finland and developing a new product or service to support their international growth. The program offered valuable peer benchmarking, international exposure, and structured networking that helped them evaluate their position in the European market.​

Softlandia grew from six employees at the start of their ESCALTECH journey to fourteen today. Revenue increased from €500,000 in 2023 to a projected €1.2 million in 2025. Beyond organic growth, the company has founded five product companies and invested in one, broadening its business base.​

According to CEO and Co-founder Ilmo Lounasmaa, Finnish companies often need additional encouragement to explore international markets, sometimes more than once. ESCALTECH provides the necessary push and framework to help take those steps.

Strengthening the European Innovation Landscape

The stories of Auve Tech, Eligent, and Softlandia show how companies from different technological domains and cultural contexts benefit from a shared European scaling framework. While their sectors differ, their journeys reflect common needs:​

• access to international markets​
• structured mentoring and business development support​
• benchmarking with peers and exposure to new networks​
• guidance in productisation and go-to-market strategies​
• a framework that helps companies focus on long-term growth alongside daily operations​

ESCALTECH’s role is to bring these elements together into a cohesive, effective support system.​