1st.Lt Jarkko
Surakka, Finnish Air Force Reserves
1st.Lt Jarkko Surakka, Finnish Air Force Reserves
CEO
Epinova Oy
Jarkko Surakka is a distinguished leader bridging defense technology, education, and innovation between Finland and the United States. As CEO of Epinova Oy, he has pioneered Finnish dual-use and defense technology integration into U.S. Department of Defense value chains while fostering strategic collaboration with the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) to establish Finland as a premier testing destination for cutting-edge security technologies.
Multi-Disciplinary Academic Excellence
Surakka serves as Senior Lecturer in Physics and Mathematics at Savonia University of Applied Sciences, where he has contributed for over two decades to technical education excellence. His expertise spans Physics, Biophysics, and Mathematics, holding a Master's degree in Medical Physics from the University of Eastern Finland. As co-author of Engineering Mathematics textbooks used across Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences, his pedagogical impact extends throughout Finland's engineering education sector, supporting the development of the next generation of technical professionals.
Military Service and Strategic Defense Contributions
Serving as First Lieutenant in the Finnish Air Force Reserves, Surakka has actively participated in several development programs within Air Force Reserves training. His military expertise, combined with his academic background in physics and mathematics, provides him with unique insights into defense technology applications and requirements.
As a key member of the Finnish Parliamentary drone committee, Surakka has been instrumental in shaping Finland's national drone strategy, positioning the country as a leader in unmanned systems innovation and integration. His strategic thinking extends to policy development at the highest levels of Finnish defense planning.
Defense Cluster Development and Market Access
Surakka has played a pivotal role in connecting Finnish defense clusters to international markets, helping several Finnish defense clusters establish critical connections to U.S. and UK markets. His most significant achievement in this area is co-building the Savo Defence cluster, which now comprises more than 50 Finnish small and medium enterprises (SMEs) creating agile and cutting-edge defense solutions. This cluster development work has positioned Eastern Finland as a significant hub for defense innovation, providing smaller companies with pathways to international markets they could not access independently.
Through his cluster development initiatives, Surakka has demonstrated exceptional ability to unite diverse technology companies under common strategic objectives, creating synergies that benefit the entire Finnish defense ecosystem while providing international partners with access to innovative solutions from multiple specialized firms.
Strategic Vision: Borderland Europe Living Lab
Surakka is recognized as one of the key strategic architects behind the Borderland Europe Living Lab initiative in Joensuu, Finland. This groundbreaking project represents the world's leading next-generation innovation hub for defense and security, developed in partnership with U.S. institutions including GTRI and U.S. D.o.D actors. The initiative positions Finland as a critical testing environment for digital border security and dual-use technologies under challenging Arctic conditions.
International Collaboration and U.S. Partnerships
Through Epinova Oy, Surakka has successfully introduced innovative Finnish companies to U.S. defense markets, creating sustainable pathways for technology transfer and collaboration. His work with GTRI has established Finland as an attractive destination for U.S. defense technology testing, leveraging Finland's unique geographic position along NATO's longest border with Russia.
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