IDE Pursues Global Digital Engineering Partnerships
Town of Mooresville & IDE conclude productive mission to Finland, identifying key areas for future collaboration
Mooresville, North Carolina – May 1, 2025 – A delegation led by the Town of Mooresville and the Institute of Digital Engineering recently concluded a business attraction and expansion mission to Finland. The visit’s discussions served as the starting point for wider strategic conversations aimed at fostering economic integration, especially in the critical area of defense manufacturing.
The delegation's itinerary included a series of impactful meetings with key Finnish organizations. The first was with Fabian Sepulveda and the Digital Defense Ecosystem (DDE), where discussions centered on encouraging wider collaboration and explored joint research initiatives and knowledge-sharing platforms.
A significant highlight of the mission was an introductory meeting with Sako Rifle, an ammunition company in Riihimäki. Mooresville’s Mayor Chris Carney engaged in a promising dialogue with Sako Board Member Raimo Karjalainen, in which the Mayor highlighted Mooresville's strategic suitability for manufacturing expansion. This discussion has opened an important avenue for future collaboration.
Following the meeting with Sako, the delegation convened with key stakeholders at the Defense Innovation Network Finland (DEFINE) to explore potential synergies in defense manufacturing. Attendees included:
● Jouni Eho, Mayor, City of Riihimäki
● Samuel Koivisto, CEO, RTOY
● Annukka Pakarinen, Director of Research, Häme University of Applied Sciences
● Jarne Atsar, COO, RAIN Global Oy
● Teemu Seppälä, Technology and Innovation Director, City of Riihimäki
● Mayor Chris Carney, City of Mooresville
● Tracey Jerome, Town Manager, City of Mooresville
● Brett Harvey, Chairman, Institute of Digital Engineering USA
● David Michael Jerome, Executive Director, Institute of Digital Engineering USA
In these discussions, next steps for joint defense ecosystem expansion were identified. This delegation’s success marks a pivotal moment in the promotion of innovative international defense manufacturing partnerships for our region and underscores Mooresville and the IDE's commitment to smart growth for our community.
Contact Information:
Institute of Digital Engineering
(704)727-2944
info@ideusa.org
About the Institute of Digital Engineering
The IDE is North Carolina’s hub for digital engineering talent, powering a collaborative cluster committed to aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing growth.