Member Spotlight: The Startup Inside a Family Business – VILPE’s Playbook for the U.S.

What happens when a Finnish family business with five decades of experience adopts the mindset of a startup?

In this Member Spotlight, Tuomas Saikkonen, CEO, and Carina Lagerström, Development Manager at VILPE, share how the Finnish roofing technology company is bringing its innovation to the United States and building a foundation for long-term growth.

At the center of VILPE’s expansion is VILPE Sense, an intelligent moisture-monitoring and control system that opens new opportunities in the American commercial building market. But as Saikkonen and Lagerström explain, entering the U.S. takes more than an innovative product. It requires careful preparation, local relationships, and a clear long-term vision.

The conversation explores how VILPE selected Ohio for its American operations, the importance of building trust through networks, the practical challenges of establishing a U.S. presence, and the lessons learned along the way.

Combining decades of Finnish expertise with startup-like agility, VILPE’s story offers valuable insights for other Finnish companies looking to grow across the Atlantic.

Read the full Member Spotlight here: Member-Spotlight-5.pdf