FirstQFM sent Helime Ruotsalainen to NORDEEP 2026 in Espoo, Finland, signaling a focused effort to connect with the Nordic deep-tech landscape. The two-day event drew founders, investors and researchers working on commercializing technologies from quantum computing to advanced materials.
A main-stage discussion, “The Global Deep Tech Status Quo: Navigating the Capital Stack & Sovereign Alpha,” featured venture capital leaders including Vadim Shpak of Vickers Venture Partners and Kadi-Ingrid Lilles of Iron Wolf Capital, while a session on future compute specifically addressed quantum error correction, a key area for FirstQFM, a Stockholm-based company developing AI foundation models to improve quantum computer performance.
FirstQFM’s NORDEEP 2026 Participation in Nordic Deep-Tech
FirstQFM focused on advancements in quantum error correction and context-aware AI at NORDEEP 2026, as evidenced by the company’s participation in the session “Beyond the Hype: The Industrialization of Future Compute.” This panel included Milja Kalliosaari of IQM, Michael Baczyk of Heartcore Capital and Ion Hauer of APEX Ventures, moderated by Reidar Wasenius, and specifically addressed the path to commercializing these quantum technologies. FirstQFM’s attendance at this session signals a strategic alignment with these areas of quantum development, reflecting the company’s internal research priorities and potential partnership interests.
The concentration of investors suggests a robust and competitive landscape for funding quantum technologies, and FirstQFM’s presence at the event provided a direct channel for engaging with potential backers. FirstQFM, founded in 2025 and headquartered in Stockholm, develops AI foundation models designed to improve the performance and scalability of near-term quantum computers, a technology that could benefit from increased investment.
FirstQFM’s engagement extended beyond investment discussions, with Helime Ruotsalainen attending the event to encourage connections across the broader deep-tech landscape. These partnerships, combined with a €1.2 million pre-seed funding round led by Luminar Ventures in October 2025, position FirstQFM to capitalize on the momentum generated at NORDEEP.
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