Successful career and life – why top experts choose Finland

It’s no coincidence that SemiQon develops its industry-disruptive quantum chips in Finland. The country has cutting-edge research, established ecosystems, and quantum industry that started forming in 1990s.

CEO and co-founder Himadri Majumdar is proud that Finland’s success in this competitive field is finally gaining recognition

“Some countries want to expedite innovation through large funding. But this is such a technical research topic that you can’t fast-track it. In Finland, we’ve worked on this consistently for decades with sustained funding. Small steps add up, and we see it now.”

The same applies to SemiQon.

“We didn’t just come up with an idea one day. There’s 15–20 years of research behind our product,” Majumdar says.

SemiQon is a prime example of how the Finnish ecosystem supports its players. The company makes use of facilities at VTT and Aalto University, collaborates with several universities, and is helping build a quantum center of excellence with the University of Jyväskylä.

Majumdar believes this level of collaboration and inclusivity is part of Finland’s success in tech. Universities and companies interact closely, and there’s a lot of dialogue in the community.

“Here, it doesn’t matter if the company is big or small. The barrier for discussion is low, and that creates innovation and opportunities,” Majumdar describes.

Another strong point is the high level of research.

“That means there’s incentive to innovate. Companies can utilise the IP and hire experts.”

Success stories, such as Bluefors and IQM, stir global interest, which in turn helps other Finnish companies succeed.

SemiQon’s networks extend beyond Finland. The company is expanding into Europe, North America, and, in the future, to Asia. One way it builds connections and future business is by making its quantum chips available to university researchers.

The quantum industry requires special skills and developing them takes time. SemiQon wouldn’t succeed without international talent, and understanding other cultures is essential for the business.

“We operate in a global market, and our team is already multicultural with people from various backgrounds working together in Finland. As we expand internationally, we expect to hire more local talent in different parts of the world.“

International students in Finland make excellent recruits, as they already understand the Finnish work and innovation culture. Others are drawn by the technology and career opportunities SemiQon offers.

“We’re a young company and offer a clear growth path for everyone who joins. We promote on-the-job training; for example, skill gaps are encouraged to be filled with short courses.”

First impressions are crucial, which is why SemiQon has a streamlined and quick recruitment process. The company wants to give talent a sense of security before taking the leap.

Getting good people is hard but keeping them is harder, Majumdar says. That’s why SemiQon builds a company culture based on shared values and clear structures. 

Perks such as easily accessible healthcare and bikes for commuting help, too.

“Quality of life is a key factor. How easy it is to have work-life balance and build a family here, because the social structure supports that”, Majumdar reveals.

SemiQon understands the value of happy families for both young and experienced talent.

“Experts might come with a spouse who is also an expert. We try to help them find employment opportunities, so both can enjoy enhanced careers.”

Himadri Majumdar came to Finland as a post-doctoral researcher in applied physics in the early 2000s. Career opportunities and personal growth have kept him and his wife happily in Finland ever since.

Before launching SemiQon in 2023, he worked in research and technical sales at VTT, leading their quantum computing projects in Finland and across Europe. His wife continued in research and is now an associate professor at Tampere University.

At one point, the family spent time in the US and India but eventually returned to Finland - where they now plan to stay.

“The reason is both the interesting career growth opportunities and the work culture. Here, work is more goal-driven than clock-driven. Children’s education is another strong point.”

For other professionals considering opportunities in Finland, Majumdar advises patience and consistency:

“Don’t just scratch the surface. Social bonding is not that easy in Finland, so don’t rely on first impressions. It takes three winters in Finland to love it. Give it time to grow on you – it will.”

In a truly Finnish manner, he also warns against unreasonable expectations.

“See what you’re getting into and why, and what your personal growth will be. Finland shouldn’t be just a launch pad – there should be clear potential to grow.”