FACC-NY STRATEGIC FORUM 2025

On November 14, 2025, the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce in New York hosted its Strategic Forum 2025. The Forum brought together business and thought leaders from Finland and the U.S. to discuss topics of dual-use technologies, quantum, AI and security – which the event title indicated – How Finnish Defence, Cyber & AI Innovation Strengthen U.S. – Finnish Trade and Resilience.

This high-level gathering featured inspiring keynote speeches, four panels and networking. The panels were the following:

Defence Sector and Dual-Use Technology
Cybersecurity on the Frontline
Communication On and Off the Battlefield
AI and Quantum Technology

On the stage at the Forum were distinguished people such as Ambassadors Jarmo Sareva and Tom Shannon, former Nokia chair of the board, Risto Siilasmaa and Aalto University chair of the board, Tero Ojanperä. Executives and representatives of the panels were from NASA, Digital Defence Ecosystem, TactoTek, Emberion, Palantir and KuvaSpace, to mention a few.

The discussed topics were timely and relevant, with Finland’s NATO membership and Arctic capabilities shaping global dialogue along with strong competitiveness in quantum, AI and dual-use technologies. We were pleased to have gathered the company of incredible innovators, changemakers and thought leaders.

Following the main event, the FACC-NY Little Christmas Party made a return. Forum participants had time to put on their Christmas hats and have more relaxed, Christmas atmosphere conversations. We appreciate each of the nearly 150 participants who joined us at the events of the day to make it a valuable and successful outcome.

FACC-NY wants to thank Arnold & Porter for incredible hosting, along with the sponsors of the Forum: Business Finland, Fiskars Group, All Things Moomin, Valio, The Long Drink Company and Paul Hastings.

Fabian Sepulveda (Digital Defence Ecosystem) moderated the panel “Defence Sector and Dual-Use Technology”, between Jim Cirenza (DNB Markets), Joakin Westerlund (Forcit), Sami Kyllönen (Emberion) and Jussi Harvela (TactoTek)

Juhani Siren (Business Finland) moderated the panel “Cybersecurity on the Frontline”, between Petri Toljamo (Bittium), Jerry Kettunen (Savox Communication) and Tero Ojanperä (Aalto University chair of the board)

Christyl Johnson (NASA) moderated the panel “Communication On and Off the Battlefield”, between Risto Siilasmaa (former Nokia chair of board) and Combiz Richard Abdolrahimi (ServiceNow)

Janna Salokangas (Mia AI) moderated the panel “AI and Quantum Technology” between Jerry Welsh (Kuva Space), Mark Friedman (ICEYE US), Irina Storian (Palantir) and Tero Ojanperä

Fireside chat “Two Perspectives” between Risto Siilasmaa and Tero Ojanperä

After the main event the Finnish Little Christmas Party relaxed celebration began

More of Little Christmas Party