Expected results

Escaltech aimed to support 90 technology companies from Latvia, Estonia, and Finland, with the objective of scaling up 30 companies to achieve scale-up status.

Results

Context

Technology start-ups in Latvia, Estonia, and Finland operate in highly innovative environments, yet many face persistent challenges when moving from early-stage development to scalable, commercially viable growth. Limited domestic markets, lack of structured scale-up support, and gaps in international networks often slow down expansion, even for companies with strong technological foundations. Scaling up requires not only advanced products, but also clear business models, commercial capabilities, international readiness, and access to experienced mentors and partners.

ESCALTECH was created to respond to these challenges by supporting ambitious technology-driven start-ups. The project focused on companies with clear growth ambition that required structured support to overcome scaling barriers and take their next steps towards international markets.

Solution

ESCALTECH implemented a cross-border support programme designed to strengthen start-ups’ readiness for scale-up through tailored and practical development activities. By combining international cooperation with local knowledge, the project provided participating companies with access to mentoring, coaching, thematic training, peer learning, and matchmaking with experienced industry experts.

The programme addressed key scale-up needs such as productisation, business model development, sales and go-to-market strategies, internationalisation planning, legal and regulatory understanding, and strategic roadmapping. Working with experienced mentors and recognised ecosystem partners, ESCALTECH supported both individual company development and peer-to-peer learning across borders.

In total, 92 start-ups from Finland, Estonia, and Latvia participated in the ESCALTECH support programme. Each company followed a customised development path aligned with its growth stage, enabling focused progress toward commercial and international expansion.

Impact

As a result of the ESCALTECH programme, participating companies significantly strengthened their strategic, commercial, and international growth capabilities. Many start-ups clarified their sales processes, refined their product and market focus, and improved their readiness to operate in international markets. Founders reported increased confidence, clearer strategic direction, and stronger operational focus supported by mentoring and structured sparring.

Several companies advanced their internationalisation efforts, engaged with new customers and partners outside their home markets, and laid the foundation for sustainable revenue growth. ESCALTECH provided companies with tools and capabilities to reposition, refine strategies, and prepare for future growth opportunities. Several of the ESCALTECH companies are already generating revenue from new markets and continuing to implement the growth strategies developed during the programme. Additional scale-up results are expected after the project’s completion as participating companies continue their expansion activities.

Beyond individual companies, the project enhanced regional expertise in supporting technology scale-ups and strengthened cross-border cooperation within the Central Baltic ecosystem. This contributes to long-term economic growth, increased competitiveness, and job creation across Finland, Estonia, and Latvia.

New scaled-up companies across Finland, Estonia, and Latvia

ESCALTECH has contributed to the emergence of new scale-up companies across the three participating countries. Based on confirmed results during the project period:

Finland:
23 start-ups participated in the programme, of which 14 have achieved scale-up status.

Estonia:
31 start-ups participated in the programme, of which 17 have achieved scale-up status.

Latvia:
39 start-ups participated in the programme, of which 13 have achieved scale-up status.

As a project result, 44 companies achieved scale-up status. The top scaling methods were 1) entering new markets (13 individual companies) 2) developing a new business model/product/service (14 individual companies) 3) expanding the key team (10 individual companies) and 4) raising investments (7 individual companies). While the KPIs focus on scaling up in one single category, it is important to keep in mind that some companies may have scaled up in multiple categories

Some examples of impact from participating companies (Finland)

A Finnish technology company significantly strengthened its productisation and strategic roadmapping, gaining access to top national and international talent and training partners to support long-term scalable growth.

An early-stage creative-technology venture transformed an artistic and technological innovation into a commercially viable and scalable business concept, supported by structured mentoring, peer learning, and internationalisation readiness.

Multiple companies raised investments.

Companies working on Nordic market expansion benefited from targeted coaching and planning support, particularly for entering neighbouring markets such as Sweden.

Some examples of impact from participating companies (Estonia)

Companies successfully entered four new international markets.

Companies benefit from structured mentoring support.

New strategic directions identified for business development.

One company secured an investment.

Some examples of impact from participating companies (Latvia)

Some companies established relevant relationships with potential investors.

Several companies established their presence in markets like Netherlands, Estonia, Saudi Arabia, Lithuania, Germany.

Companies benefited from tailored mentoring working on product development and expansion to expand their business.

Most of the companies recognized that participation in the international events was meaningful support to establish new contacts.