Nokia used to have a global market share of 40%, which constituted 4% of Finland’s GDP. With fierce competition from Android and iOS platforms, Nokia’s business started to diminish. Thousands of R&D engineers were retrenched in tech towns in Oulu, Tampere, Salo and Helsinki.
Nokia demonstrated great corporate responsibility by supporting employees to start new companies or careers. As a result, about 1000 startups were formed, many of them classified as deep tech. At the same time, digitalisation was gaining ground and the global glut for ICT workforce became evident.
However, new actions were needed.
During those difficult days, several forward looking people analysed the situation where talents were readily available. This group of people connected with international ex-Nokia leaders and a pro bono community was formed. Kaato was born with a vision of helping to bring more international companies who would make use of the ICT resources in Finland and promote a vibrant ICT industry.
Founders of Kaato valued the pro bono approach as well as many others who have seen and benefited from a referral to a needed connection. This is about doing good for Finland in a good atmosphere. Kaato enables smart, professional connections.
We have seen several cases where incoming companies and individuals have been introduced through Kaato and the results speak for themselves, both in new international companies establishing a Finnish branch office and export business for Finnish companies.
