Business Tampere
Business Tampere supports talents, investors and entrepreneurs in making a smooth start in Tampere Region
Contact us
Home » Texas market entry program 2026
Is your company exploring new opportunities in the U.S. market? Join a business delegation and trade promotion program in March 2026!
About the program
Who should join?
Houston 9-10 March 2026
Austin 11-18 March 2026
Registeration
What: U.S. market entry business delegation and trade promotion program for tech and health companiesWhere: Houston & Austin, Texas, USA.When: 9–18 March 2026
Through this U.S. market entry program in Texas, your company will:
The program is built for companies entering or expanding in the U.S. market, particularly in industrial, energy, aerospace, defence, health and AI-driven sectors. The program is ideal for executive and growth teams seeking customers, pilots, partners or funding — and a practical understanding of how business, procurement and scaling work in Texas.
Register here
You can participate in either city or both, while meeting potential customers, partners and investors:
Registeration is done through one application.
The Houston program offers direct access to some of the largest industrial, energy, aerospace and healthcare ecosystems in the U.S. Alongside company visits, participants join facilitated sessions with local industry leaders, Team Finland experts and peer companies. These meetings are designed to create meaningful connections rather than surface-level contacts. The result is faster learning, stronger relationships and clearer next steps for U.S. expansion.
The Industrial & Aerospace track provides direct exposure to major U.S. energy, industrial, defence and space programs. Participants gain a practical view of how large-scale projects are structured, how procurement works and how technology companies enter global supply chains.
At Chevron and KBR, companies explore the future of energy, hydrogen, electrification, automation and billion-dollar industrial and defence projects, while learning how large corporations and system integrators work with technology suppliers and partners.
Visits to Barrios Technology and Axiom Space open the door to the NASA ecosystem and the next wave of commercial space infrastructure, offering insight into how private companies engage in space programs and where new opportunities emerge at the intersection of space, industry and digital technologies
The Health & MedTech track opens the door to the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical ecosystem. At Texas Medical Center Innovation, companies gain a practical view of how health technologies move from idea to clinical use in the U.S., and connect with hospitals, investors and strategic partners.
At MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the world’s leading cancer hospitals, participants get first-hand insight into clinical validation, pilot opportunities and collaboration in areas such as diagnostics, imaging and AI-driven solutions.
The Houston Methodist – Rice University Digital Health Institute visit demonstrates how AI, data and digital health solutions are tested and scaled in real hospital environments, while offering direct connections to clinicians, researchers and technology leaders.
In Austin, the program offers optional access to SXSW technology and innovation festival 2026. Alongside SXSW, Business Tampere organizes a separate, facilitated delegation program, including:
This allows companies to benefit from Austin’s innovation ecosystem even without purchasing an SXSW ticket. The week also includes 200+ high-quality side events hosted by global technology, investor and corporate communities (separate registration).
What is SXSW and why Austin?
Austin is an attractive technology hub where startup energy, strong university research, and the significant presence of Big Tech companies such as Tesla, Apple, Google, Meta, Amazon, and Samsung come together. It’s a city where tech giants build their second headquarters, startups scale rapidly, and applied AI meets industry. Local hubs and accelerators — such as Capital Factory, Tech Ranch, and the International Accelerator — along with active investor networks, offer compelling opportunities to launch and grow business in the US.
South by Southwest, held in Austin on March 12–18, 2026, is one of the world’s leading innovation, technology, and culture events. It brings together investors, accelerators, corporations, media, and industry experts, as well as startups and scaleups from dozens of countries. The program includes pitch competitions, networking events, and hands-on workshops.
With more than 200 themed events taking place throughout the week, the entire city comes alive. The festival attracts a broad international audience and creates a powerful platform for meaningful connections.
You can explore the SXSW conference content tracks here: Tracks – SXSW.
You’ll visit leading local technology hubs and accelerators, including Capital Factory and the International Accelerator, to explore pathways into the US market. During a week packed with over 200 events, you’ll have the chance to connect with investors, partners, and potential customers across the US startup ecosystem. The program also offers mentoring, practical advice, and introductions through Finnish companies already operating in Austin. You’ll get support in choosing the right sessions and navigating the event week. Participants can stay at the shared Nordic Clubhouse accommodation (limited spots available), and join a co-hosted AI event and investor networking session organized by the Tampere AI ecosystem and local tech companies.
Austin Program Wednesday, March 1110:00–22:00 International House by International Accelerator (+TA) International Accelerator | Austin, TX | Startup accelerator for foreign-born founders 21:00–23:00 SXSW week kick-off and planning: Welcome to the Nordic Clubhouse get-together and networking (for Nordic Clubhouse guests)
Thursday, March 1218:00–21:00 Crawl | Capital Factory House 2026 21:00–23:00 Austin Finnish community evening: casual networking meetup
Friday, March 1309:00 Visit to The University of Texas at Austin (TA) 10:00–12:00 Introduction to the Capital Factory tech hub and accelerator, including a tour of the facilities and insights from Finnish companies already operating in Austin 14:00–15:30 Q-Branch soft-landing hub and accelerator visit Dual-Use + Research & Development Accelerator | Q-Branch | Austin, Texas
Saturday, March 14Austin boardwalk visit (TBD) 18:00 Finnish delegation dinner and networking at Terry Black’s Barbecue (walk-in)
Sunday, March 15SXSW conference program
Monday, March 16SXSW conference program 12:00–13:30 Tech Ranch Austin accelerator visit 16:00–18:00 Tampere AI and local partners co-hosted AI event and investor networking
Tuesday, March 17SXSW conference program
Wednesday, March 18Return travel
Secure your place in the Texas Market Entry Program by submitting your binding registration by 27 February 2026. Participation in the delegation program, including company visits, joint sessions and networking activities, is free of charge. Please note that travel, accommodation and SXSW tickets are at the participant’s own expense.
Register by 27 February 2026 to confirm your participation.
Register for the program
The program is designed for Finnish companies planning their entry into the U.S. market within the next 1–3 years, or already operating there and looking to grow. It is especially relevant for industrial tech, energy, aerospace, defence, health tech, medtech, AI and data-driven companies seeking customers, partners or funding in the U.S
Yes. You can participate in:
the Houston program only
the Austin (SXSW) program only
or the full program covering both cities
Registration is done through one application form.
The official delegation program – including company visits, joint sessions and selected networking events – is free of charge.
Participants are responsible for:
flights
accommodation
local transportation
SXSW tickets (if joining the Austin program)
We recommend staying at the same hotel in Houston where part of the networking events will also take place. We have negotiated a special rate for this hotel:
THE ROYAL SONESTA HOUSTON GALLERIA Address 2222 West Loop South, Houston TX 77027 Book the hotel here
Guests will book via the ATTENDEE section to receive the discounted rate.
The Houston program runs 9–10 March 2026.
Recommended travel schedule:
Flights from Finland to Houston: 7–8 March 2026
Ready for meetings: morning of 9 March 2026
The program starts on Monday, 9 March, with a joint kick-off meeting. A detailed agenda will be shared with registered participants.
The Austin program takes place during SXSW 2026 from 12–18 March 2026.
Participants joining both parts of the program typically travel from Houston to Austin on 11 March. More detailed guidance will be provided after registration.
A SXSW conference ticket is needed for attending the SXSW official program Tracks – SXSW (at your own expense). The ticket is not required for our facilitated program including key tech hub and accelerator visits. The SXSW week also offers over 200 interesting side events (separate registration).
Finland Afternoon Monday 16th Feb @ Austin – AI Meets Finnish AITO Sauna Experience Escape the noise of SXSW for an afternoon of AI-for-SaaS conversations with investors and entrepreneurs, followed by an authentic Finnish AITO sauna experience. Designed for clarity, connection, and real discussion—business and wellbeing organized by Sunnybiz and Audicin.
Yes. Registration is binding and must be completed by 27 February 2026 to secure your place in the program
COO, Chief Operating Officer
+358 (0) 40 7749 259
pertti.aimonen@businesstampere.com
Senior Director, Data Economy & AI
+358 40 5380 365
kristian.valkama@businesstampere.com
Head of Defence
mika.kulkas@businesstampere.com