All Singapore Initiatives

From the Nordics to Singapore: Your Gateway to Asia

 

From the Nordics to Singapore: Your Gateway to Asia

Helsinki, 20 November 2025

 

Singapore offers a strong launchpad for Nordic startups, scaleups and SMEs looking to grow in Asia. With its business-friendly environment, access to regional markets, and supportive business ecosystem, it is an ideal base for exploring new opportunities. During the week of Slush, Nordic Innovation House Singapore and the Economic Development Board of Singapore co-organised a breakfast session, “From the Nordics to Singapore: Your Gateway to Asia” tailored for Nordic founders, growth-stage companies and ecosystem players to learn about opportunities in the market and explore how thye can take the next step in one of Asia’s most forward-looking economies.

A heartfelt thank you to Ambassador Juha Markkanen, Finland’s Ambassador to Singapore, for opening the session.

💡 Participants gained a deeper understanding of Singapore’s ecosystem, its position as a launchpad to Asia, and a Nordic company’s growth story in the market, thanks to our speakers:

  • Irma Ylikangas (Counsellor, Innovation & Trade Affairs, Embassy of Finland in Singapore)

  • Andy Lua (Regional Director, Europe (Nordics), International Operations, EDB – Singapore)

  • Jukka Uskonen (VP, Global CPG & MFG Operations, RELEX Solutions).

📝 We wrapped up with a dynamic panel discussion, “Investor Tips: How to Succeed in Singapore?” featuring:

• Jocelyn Kum, Executive Director, M&L Group

• Jenni Risku, Partner & Director, Click Ventures

• Hsien-Hui Tong, Executive Director, Investments, SGInnovate

🤝 A warm thank you to everyone who joined us on a cold, slushy Helsinki morning. We hope you left with fresh perspectives, inspiration, and connections to help you take your next steps into Asia.

This event was also jointly organised and supported by Embassy of Finland in Singapore, Business Sweden Asia-Pacific, the Embassy of Denmark in Singapore, Innovation Norway, Business Iceland, NordicTalks (brought to you by The Nordics, a project under The Nordic Council of Ministers) and Nordic Innovation.

About Nordic Talks
‘Nordic Talks’ is a series of talks and podcast episodes addressing the biggest global challenges. Through conversations with some of the brightest minds in the Nordics and their counterparts from around the world we want to provide a space for contemplation and to share inspiration on how to take action on sustainability issues in our everyday lives. All Nordic Talks are dedicated to addressing the UN's Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) challenges.

NORDIC TALKS is brought to you by The Nordics, a project under The Nordic Council of Ministers.

Website: https://www.nordictalks.com/

Nordic Innovation House Singapore