5 ways Finnish companies are solving real problems with AI

Few technologies divide opinion like artificial intelligence – to some it heralds mass unemployment and social upheaval, to others it signals the dawn of a new industrial revolution. In Finland, the national mindset leans toward opportunity: AI is something to be understood, shaped, and put to use in solving concrete challenges.

That approach has its roots in public education. Back in 2018, the University of Helsinki launched Elements of AI, a free online course designed to make the basics of artificial intelligence accessible to everyone, regardless of background. The course has since reached more than a million learners worldwide and remains a symbol of Finland’s inclusive, practical approach to digital literacy.

Building on this foundation, Finland has developed a national AI strategy that emphasised trust, ethics and competitiveness. Business Finland – the government’s innovation and trade agency – has supported hundreds of AI initiatives, from SME proof-of-concept funding calls to large-scale industrial projects such as the LUMI supercomputer. The consistent goal has been to ensure that Finnish companies don’t just consume AI tools but create them, exporting solutions and expertise globally.

That spirit of accessibility and application now defines Finland’s AI ecosystem. Rather than focusing on abstract hype, Finnish companies are deploying AI to address real problems – from energy and procurement to healthcare and retail. Here are five examples of how they are doing it in 2025.

1. Balancing renewable energy grids – Capalo AI

The clean energy transition is colliding with a stubborn physics problem: what happens when the sun doesn’t shine or the wind doesn’t blow? Capalo AI thinks it has the answer. The Helsinki startup runs a virtual power plant that uses AI to choreograph fleets of batteries, charging and discharging them in perfect rhythm with the grid.

“Battery energy storage systems are essential for driving the transition to clean energy and maintaining a resilient electricity grid,” co-founder and CEO Henri Taskinen explained. “However, the battery hardware alone cannot provide the needed value for the energy system or its owner; you need to intelligently orchestrate all this capacity together to maximize its impact. We’re proud to drive the energy transition forward with our virtual power plant.”

Fresh from a 3.8 million-euro raise, Capalo is expanding across Europe, positioning itself not as a gadget maker but as a systems player – the conductor ensuring renewable energy flows in tune with demand.

2. Agentic procurement automation – Nvelop

Corporate procurement has long been a swamp of paperwork, slow negotiations and hidden inefficiencies. Nvelop wants to drag it into the future with agentic AI – systems that don’t just support staff but act for them. Its software is being designed to negotiate with suppliers, monitor costs and optimise sourcing almost entirely on its own.

Rather than pitch another dashboard tool, Nvelop is openly betting on autonomy.

“Securing this funding in today’s market environment reinforces the strength of our team, our technology, and our long-term vision,” CEO Mikko Valorinta remarked, after closing a 1.2-million-euro seed round. “This backing allows us to double down on innovation and stay laser-focused on creating real value for our customers.”

By positioning itself at the frontier of agentic AI – systems that not only assist but also act autonomously – Nvelop is showing how enterprise workflows can be reshaped. Although still early-stage, its approach points to a future where AI becomes a trusted colleague in the back office, accelerating operations and reducing human error.

3. Personalised beauty and retail – Revieve

Shoppers no longer settle for generic advice or guesswork when choosing cosmetics. Revieve is giving them something closer to a digital beauty advisor: AI that scans skin, simulates make-up looks and recommends products tailored to individual needs.

“Gen Z does not just purchase products – they invest in experiences, values and innovation,” observed CEO Sampo Parkkinen.

Building on that shift, the company has already expanded beyond skincare into makeup, haircare and nutrition.

“Our vision is to become the world’s leading player in personalised digital health, beauty, and wellness experiences, helping consumers across the globe make better choices for their everyday lives,” Parkkinen added.

With global retailers already on board, Revieve is proving that Finnish AI can compete in one of the most image-conscious industries. Its blend of hard tech and consumer sensitivity shows why beauty may be one of AI’s most unexpected growth frontiers.

4. AI in pathology – Aiforia

The shortage of pathologists is a silent crisis in healthcare, stretching the time it takes to detect diseases. Aiforia is stepping into the gap with a platform that applies deep learning to medical images, helping specialists analyse slides faster and more consistently.

“One thing I’m excited about for the future is that we have been able to demonstrate the real-world application of our platform and our AI models by helping the Mayo Clinic build a prognostic model for colorectal cancer that can give an estimation of patient outcomes based on the AI data,” CEO Jukka Tapaninen, CEO of Aiforia.

That collaboration with Mayo Clinic shows how Finnish AI can contribute to cutting-edge medical research in the US. At the same time, Aiforia is also expanding its European presence. In 2025, the company opened a subsidiary in France, where hospitals in Paris and Nantes are adopting its tools, again, in one of the most regulated and demanding industries.

5. Supply chain optimisation – RELEX Solutions

Behind every supermarket shelf lies a battle against waste, empty displays and razor-thin margins. Relex Solutions has turned this into a science. Its AI systems forecast demand, fine-tune replenishment and even suggest price changes to keep supply chains humming.

“This year we continue to see market volatility, as rapidly shifting consumer behaviour means supply chains struggle to keep pace,” noted Mikko Kärkkäinen, co-founder and CEO. “To overcome this, retailers and technology innovators such as RELEX Solutions drive unprecedented agility, visibility and precision across reimagined processes.”

Operating in more than 20 countries and working with some of the world’s biggest retailers, Relex has become a quiet giant of Finnish tech. By cutting food waste and boosting efficiency, it proves that AI isn’t just a back-office tool – it can shape what ends up in your shopping basket.