The NEF Newsletter: Connecting New England, Finland, and Scandinavia through trade, education, and culture. Born from the enthusiasm of Finnish New Englanders, it charts our shared journey—past, present, and future. Join our growing community of 2,960+ subscribers and many more via email and blog. Share with anyone eager to build Nordic-New England bridges.

Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Henrik Totterman, Finnish Honorary Consul for Boston and New England. A professor, entrepreneur, and connector dedicated to fostering Finnish-American collaboration and advancing sustainable solutions.

Contents — February 2026

Upcoming Events

Business & Trade Connections

Innovation, Education & Research

Culture, Heritage & Sport

Diplomacy & Public Affairs

Upcoming Events (see below for details)

MARCH 9: Find Your Superposition in Finland 6 | Boston

MARCH 9: Women’s Leadership Circle & Mentoring Program Luncheon | New York

MARCH 23-26: Team Finland Health Visit | New York and Boston

MARCH 27: Finnish–U.S. Life Science Accelerator Forum 2026 | New York

FEBRUARY 23: Postponed Meeting with Quincy Mayor and the Chamber of Commerce

OCTOBER 23-25: FinnFunn Weekend 2026 | East Hill Farm, New Hampshire

From Annual Reporting to 2026 Momentum

Dear Friends of New England Finns,

Earlier this month, I submitted the Honorary Consulate’s Annual Report to the Consulate General of Finland in New York for review. Preparing that report is always a valuable discipline. It builds on hundreds of interactions, large and small, across the past year and forces a pause from daily activity.

As we move through February 2026, this newsletter is not a conclusion to 2025, but a strategic reflection. The past year strengthened the structure behind our work across business, academia, culture, and community engagement. The priority now is to deepen and institutionalize that architecture. Below is where we stand, and how 2026 builds on that foundation, with many substantive initiatives already underway.

At the same time, the broader U.S. context continues to evolve rapidly. Through my regular engagement with Washington and regional New England/Finnish policy briefings, several themes remain particularly relevant from a Finnish perspective (Check out the new Monthly US policy update at the end of this newsletter). First, climate, energy resilience, and industrial policy continue to shape state-level priorities in New England, even as federal-level debates fluctuate. Second, supply chain security, dual-use innovation, and technology competitiveness remain high on the agenda, reinforcing opportunities for trusted transatlantic partners. Third, higher education and research institutions are navigating funding, regulatory, and geopolitical shifts that affect international collaboration.

For Finland, a country built on trust, technological competence, and long-term policy consistency, these developments underscore both opportunity and responsibility. New England remains one of the most innovation-driven, internationally oriented regions in the United States. Stability at the state and institutional level provides a strong platform for Finnish companies, universities, and cultural actors, even amid national-level complexity.

Dr. Henrik Totterman

Honorary Consul of Finland to the City of Boston and New England.

Business & Trade Connections

In 2025, the Honorary Consulate’s business and trade efforts increasingly moved from informal introductions toward structured ecosystem engagement. Alongside ongoing advisory dialogue with Finnish founders and executives, and we facilitated a General Consulate week long Boston Ecosystem Safari. The safari focused on connecting Finnish stakeholders with Massachusetts government leadership, venture networks, climate and clean-tech actors, MIT and Harvard representatives, and finance professionals.

In addition, for instance, the Kaato / Business Finland networking event at Hult International Business School further strengthened connections between Finnish innovators and the Boston ecosystem. Coordination with Business Finland and the Consulate General supported collaboration in climate, bioeconomy, digitalization, and dual-use innovation sectors.

Upcoming activities that support this focus:

MARCH 9: Find Your Superposition in Finland | Boston

As part of the Work in Finland USA Tour 2026, Business Finland and Global Edge Markets are bringing Finland’s deep tech ecosystem to Boston. We are hosting the Boston event at Hult International Business School in collaboration with Hult Healthcare Club students, Team Finland, and the Top Talent Finland initiative.

The focus is clear: global talent mobility, U.S.–Finland research collaboration, and deep tech leadership across quantum technologies, AI, advanced semiconductors, photonics, and health innovation.

Finland is one of the world’s most research-intensive economies, combining long-term R&D investment, strong university–industry collaboration, and a stable innovation framework. Consul General Jarmo Sareva’s keynote message underscores Finland’s ambition to collaborate globally — attracting and sharing top talent grounded in scientific excellence and entrepreneurship.

For scientists, engineers, and enterprise tech leaders, this is not just a career discussion. It is an ecosystem conversation — about where the next generation of deep tech capability will be built and how Boston and Helsinki connect within that architecture.

Join us to explore how your expertise can intersect with Finland’s innovation future. Find more information to register in this Linkedin post.

Picture courtesy of Work in Finland

MARCH 9: Women’s Leadership Circle & Mentoring Program Luncheon | New York

The Finnish-American Chamber of Commerce New York invites you to celebrate International Women’s Day with the launch of the Women’s Leadership Circle, a new global forum focused on connection, mentorship, and leadership development.

The inaugural luncheon will feature Kristiina Helenius, CEO of Miltton USA and bestselling author, as keynote speaker, bringing insight into leadership across transatlantic markets.

Join the event for meaningful leadership dialogue and high-level networking with professionals across the Finnish–U.S. business community. Find more information and registration details in the LinkedIn post.

MARCH 23-26: Team Finland Health Visit | New York and Boston

The Team Finland Network is organizing a high-level delegation bringing Finnish health and life science companies to New York and Boston — two of the most influential U.S. hubs for biotech, digital health, hospital innovation, and investment.

The program includes meetings with leading institutions such as Deerfield Management, Memorial Sloan Kettering, the Broad Institute, MIT, LabCentral, MassBIO, and Harvard-affiliated hospitals, with an option to attend MassBio’s 2026 State of Possible Conference. The Boston days are March 24-25, 2026.

Designed for Finnish companies already active in the U.S. and seeking growth and partnerships, the delegation offers direct access to decision-makers, insight into U.S. hospital innovation and investment models, and increased visibility through coordinated Team Finland engagement.

From the New England side, the Honorary Consulate is pleased to support this initiative.

Picture courtesy of Business Finland

MARCH 27: Finnish–U.S. Life Science Accelerator Forum 2026 | New York

The Finnish-American Chamber of Commerce New York, together with DNB Carnegie and Back Bay Life Science Advisors, is hosting a high-level forum exploring how Finnish life science and health tech innovation is shaping transatlantic collaboration and investment Life Science.

Bringing together leaders from biotech, medtech, AI-driven diagnostics, neurotechnology, food tech, and healthcare investment, the program will address healthcare policy, smart capital, hospital innovation models, and pathways from research to U.S. market recognition.

A strong transatlantic lineup, including Consul General Jarmo Sareva and senior Nordic and U.S. industry leaders, will anchor the discussion.

Join the event for cutting-edge life-science insights and networking for action. Find more information to register in this Linkedin post.

Innovation, Education & Research

Educational and research collaboration remained a defining pillar. Engagements with, for instance, Hult, MIT, Harvard, Hanken, Aalto University, Jyväskylä University, and Fulbright Finland reinforced Boston’s role as a bridge between Finnish and U.S. academic ecosystems.

Executive education sessions, capstone collaborations, and the Hanken EMBA week in Boston demonstrated how academic ties can translate into practical business and innovation outcomes. At the same time, the Finnish-American Science, Arts, and Business Diaspora, FINISA — initiative gained momentum, signaling a shift toward more structured cross-border knowledge exchange.

Upcoming activities that support this focus:

FEBRUARY 24: Customer-Driven Change Leadership in the United States | Online

In this Jyväskylä EMBA session, Professor Henrik Tötterman (Hult International Business School and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA) explores how U.S. organizations lead customer-centered transformation at scale. The discussion focuses on aligning strategy, culture, and execution in fast-moving markets, highlighting practical frameworks for driving innovation, navigating uncertainty, and sustaining competitive advantage through disciplined change leadership.

JUNE 1-5: Strategic Leadership in the USA Context – Hanken EMBA Visit | Boston

In this Hanken EMBA module, Professor Henrik Tötterman (Hult International Business School and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA) explores how strategy becomes performance through effective leadership. Participants examine the interconnected roles of direction-setting, execution, resource allocation, and communication — particularly within the North American business environment. Through case studies and live business challenges, the session develops practical skills in strategic decision-making under uncertainty, organizational alignment, and leadership for sustained competitive advantage.

Culture, Heritage & Sport

Cultural visibility remained strong throughout 2025. Independence Season programming in Boston and New York, collaboration with the Finlandia Foundation, Nordic consular engagement, and participation in community events reinforced Finland’s presence in the region. Sports diplomacy surrounding the NHL Four Nations game illustrated how cultural and sporting moments can strengthen informal ties while broadening Finland’s visibility.

Upcoming activities that support this focus:

FEBRUARY 23: Meeting with Quincy Mayor and the Chamber of Commmerce

The planned Quincy Chamber Coffee Hour and Meet & Greet was unfortunately postponed due to heavy snow this week. While we did not get to gather as scheduled, we look forward to rescheduling soon and returning to Quincy to meet with Mayor Thomas Koch and members of the Quincy Chamber of Commerce.

Quincy’s long tradition of industry, entrepreneurship, and Finnish-American heritage makes it a particularly meaningful place to visit. I am eager to reconnect, engage with local business leaders, and continue building bridges between regional entrepreneurs and broader global networks.

A new date will be shared by the Chamber as soon as it is confirmed here on Linkedin.

OCTOBER 23-25: FinnFunn Weekend 2026 | East Hill Farm, New Hampshire

FinnFunn Weekend returns to East Hill Farm this fall, set against the colorful backdrop of Mt. Monadnock. This year’s theme, Finns and Nature, highlights the deep cultural connection between Finnish heritage and the natural world through presentations, performances, crafts, and family-friendly activities.

With a tori, sauna, and the addition of a FinnFunn Family Farm Day, the weekend offers something for all ages while creating space for informal connection and community.

If you are interested in celebrating Finnish and Finnish-American heritage in a relaxed forest setting, find more details and registration information through the organizers here on their homepage.

Diplomacy & Public Affairs

Core consular responsibilities continued steadily throughout the year. Guidance on passports, citizenship registrations, working visas, and related immigration matters is formally handled by the Consulate General of Finland in New York, and individuals are directed there for official processing. From Boston, we provide preliminary guidance where appropriate and assist with local coordination and document-related matters such as certificates of life, notarizations, and newborn documentation support.

Engagement with regional policymakers, Nordic counterparts, and the New England Council maintained Finland’s visibility within broader state and policy discussions. Meanwhile, the New England Finns newsletter continued to serve as the backbone of communication across the five New England states.

Activities that support this focus:

Monthly US policy update relevant for New England and Finland (NEW)

Recent policy discussions in Washington signal change, but they also highlight where opportunities are strongest. For Finland, the key message is clear: while the federal landscape is evolving, New England remains one of the most reliable and forward-looking platforms for cooperation.

Energy & Resilience: Northeast Momentum: Clean energy and infrastructure projects in the Northeast continue to move forward with strong state-level backing and judicial stability. The regional focus is increasingly on reliability, grid modernization, and energy security.

Opportunities for Finland include:

• Grid optimization and energy efficiency solutions
• Offshore and marine engineering expertise
• Winterization and resilience technologies
• Advanced nuclear and hybrid energy systems
• New England remains a practical entry point for Nordic energy competence.

Hard Tech & Innovation: Strong Alignment: The United States continues long-term investment in quantum technologies, applied AI, advanced sensing, and semiconductor ecosystems. New England’s research universities and innovation clusters offer natural collaboration platforms.

Finland’s strengths in:

• Quantum research and photonics
• Secure communications
• Industrial AI and automation
• Systems engineering

Research & Talent: Institutional Partnerships Matter: Even as federal structures adjust, leading universities and research institutions remain globally connected. In times of policy transition, institutional partnerships often grow stronger. Massachusetts and the broader Northeast continue to value international collaboration.

Potential pathways forward:

• Joint research programs
• Co-funded initiatives
• Structured talent exchange
• Deeper university-to-university cooperation

Industrial Partnerships: Local Positioning, National Reach: U.S. policy increasingly favors companies that demonstrate local engagement and supply chain resilience. For Finnish firms, this presents a design choice rather than a barrier. Partnership-based market entry is increasingly the successful model.

New England offers:

• Sophisticated regulatory environments
• Advanced manufacturing ecosystems
• Pilot markets for new technologies
• Established Nordic networks

Security & Systems: A Natural Fit: Energy security, infrastructure resilience, cybersecurity, and advanced mobility remain sustained priorities across party lines. Finland is positioned as a trusted partner in this evolving landscape.

Finland’s reputation for:

• Critical infrastructure reliability
• Systems-level thinking
• Technology-driven governance
• Cyber resilience

THE NEF - NEW ENGLAND FINNS NEWSLETTER

NEXT ISSUE: #24, March 15, 2026.

Past Issues:

ISSUE #1: January 23, 2024, Setting Sails for a New Adventure - The NEF – The New England Finns monthly newsletter was launched on January 25, 2024, with well over 1200 subscribers on Linkedin a week later.

ISSUE #2: February 25, 2024, Sailing the Northeast Shores - 1776 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #3: March 31, 2024, Nordic Sailors Sharing Joy, Experiences, and Knowledge- 1900 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #4: April 28, 2024, Nordic Sailors and the New England Summer Season! - 2100 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #5: June 7, 2024, The Nordic Midsummer Magic - 2200 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #6: July 9, 2024, The Legendary Nordic Vacation - 2300 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #7: August 31, 2024, The Nordic Night of the Ancient Fires - 2400 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #8: September 29, 2024, Nordic Values At Work - 2450 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #9: November 3, 2024, Embracing the Northeastern Winds - 2500 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #10: December 8, 2024, Shining Bright under the Northern Lights - 2542 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #11: January 5, 2025, A Nordic Cheer for a Resilient New Year - 2584 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #12: February 2, 2025, Nordic Hockey Flair in the Garden Air - 2640 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #13: March 2, 2025, Nordic Hockey Flair in the Garden Air - 2680 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #14: April 5, 2025, Nordic Happiness in New England - 2703 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #15: May 4, 2025, Sauna, Summer, and Sisu — Stronger Ties, Brighter Skies - 2746 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #16: June 14, 2025, From Nordic Flag Raisings to Finnish-American Alliances - 2779 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #17: July 15, 2025, Nordic Summer: Rest, Reflect & Reimagine - 2793 on Linkedin.

ISSUE #18: September 15, Nordic Leadership in Action - 2820 on Linkedin

ISSUE #19: October 15, Nordic-American Two-Way Bridge - 2876 on Linkedin

ISSUE #20: November 20, Gratitude from Nordic New England - 2903 on Linkedin

ISSUE #21: December 21, Nordic Yuletide and New Year Wishes - 2928 on Linkedin

ISSUE #22: January 20, Nordic Calm and Clarity in Uncertain Times - 2962 on Linkedin