A delegation from Nazarbayev University’s innovation ecosystem recently completed a landmark visit to Oulu, Finland – a city that has become synonymous with world-class electronics manufacturing and the birthplace of global technology giants.
The trip was organized with the support of the NU Impact Foundation, represented by its Chairman Sayat Nussupov and Board Trustee Mukhtar Mankeyev, who also serves as the Honorary Consul of Finland in Kazakhstan. Their involvement was instrumental in opening doors to one of Europe’s most dynamic deep-tech hubs.
Oulu’s reputation in advanced electronics runs deep. Once the cradle of Nokia’s research and engineering culture, the city has since given rise to iconic companies such as Oura Ring and polar Electro — globally recognized leaders in wearable technology and precision health devices.
What distinguishes Oulu is not only its capacity for technological innovation, but its mastery of high-quality mass production — a critical capability for any deep-tech company aiming to compete on the worldstage.
Representing Nazarbayev University’s spin-off company Mirai Tech were Assistant Professor Gulnur Kalimuldina and CTO Manat Nursultan.
During their stay, the delegation held a series of meetings with leading Finnish companies, facilitated by Business Oulu — the city’s renowned business development organisation.
The discussions centered on pathways for mass production partnerships and certification processes required to enter the highly regulated EU and US markets.
This visit marks a significant milestone for Mirai Tech and for Nazarbayev University’s broader innovation agenda.
The technologies being developed at NU are maturing – moving beyond the prototype stage and approaching the threshold of high quality, scalable manufacturing.
The connections forged in Oulu lay the groundwork for future collaboration that could bring NU’s deep-tech solutions to consumers and industries around the world.
For the growing ecosystem of deep-tech companies at Nazarbayev University, it represents a clear signal: the global market is within reach.