Voyantic is celebrating 20 years of innovation and success this year, marking two decades since its founding. To commemorate this milestone, one of the company’s founders, Jukka Voutilainen, tells the story behind Voyantic’s growth, the challenges overcome, and the vision that has guided the company to where it stands today.

In 2004, two researchers, Jukka Voutilainen and Juho Partanen, had an idea that would change their lives and the field of RFID technology. Working at Helsinki University of Technology (now Aalto University), the researchers discussed smart packaging and RF sensors when a spontaneous coffee table conversation sparked the idea for a system supporting RFID tag development. 

“We came up with the idea of starting a company over coffee in 2004. Coming from a research background, I found it relatively easy to decide to start the company. I thought the worst that could happen was that I’d learn a lot in the process,” Jukka recalls smiling.

Early Challenges and Strategic Shifts

In the early stages, challenges emerged quickly, and many issues needed to be solved before the company could take off.

“We thought the first challenge would be securing funding to get things started, but it turned out that clarifying the business idea was the most important task,” Jukka remembers. 

Jukka and Juho focused on crystallizing their business idea, and the hard work paid off: They secured funding from Business Finland, which was a crucial step in starting a new company.

The first years at Voyantic were full of learning and strategic shifts. One of the most significant turning points came in 2008-2009 when the company experienced a eureka moment and began to broaden its product offerings to larger markets. 

“Initially, our devices were intended for engineers and RFID tag developers, but we realized that the market for production testing was much larger. Indeed, production testing makes the most of our business today,” Jukka explains.

“I thought the worst that could happen was that I’d learn a lot in the process.”

Leadership Lessons and Giving Up on Control

One of the most crucial lessons was understanding that a company needs different types of expertise at various stages. Jukka says understanding this was essential for the company’s growth and thriving.

“New types of expertise are continuously needed as the company grows. Leadership and the organization need to be renewed, and we’ve been successful in finding new roles for people within the company,” he explains. 

Jukka emphasizes that a leader must recognize when organizational changes are needed and be ready to make them, even if challenging. He admits that it never becomes easy; making changes is still as challenging as it used to be in the company’s early stages. Nevertheless, it needs to be done.

“Often, in hindsight, it seems obvious that a certain change was necessary, but at the moment, it can feel difficult,” Jukka says.

However, it wasn’t the only important lesson Jukka learned as a CEO. Reflecting on his learning experiences, Jukka shares that he initially felt a strong need for control. 

“At first, control felt extremely important, but over time, I’ve learned to delegate more responsibility to people. Micromanaging is not the path to a successful outcome. Finding the right people and giving them responsibility is key to success,” he notes. 

This shift in mindset has helped Jukka grow as a leader and focus on strategic core areas like fostering company culture and ensuring strong leadership throughout the organization.

“Micromanaging is not the path to a successful outcome. Finding the right people and giving them responsibility is key to success.”

A Culture of Customer Care

According to Jukka, the company’s success is rooted in its team and commitment to customer care. Without these two elements, the company wouldn’t be one of the industry’s frontrunners.

“We have a strong culture of always looking after our customers. This is critical, especially in an industry where everyone knows everyone,” he highlights. 

This team and customer-centric approach has been a distinguishing factor for Voyantic in the competitive landscape. One of Jukka’s most memorable moments was when the company was recognized as one of the top workplaces in Finland for small businesses. 

“Developing company culture has been a passion of mine for a long time, and this achievement was significant to me,” Jukka shares proudly.

Looking ahead, Jukka envisions exciting prospects on the horizon. The merger with a leading American company has opened the door to even greater possibilities.

“We are now part of the American company Impinj, which brings us many opportunities. We’re just at the beginning of where this industry is heading, and we are in a prime position to be part of it,” he concludes.

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This year marks a significant milestone for Voyantic, celebrating its 20th anniversary. Founded two decades ago, Voyantic has become a pioneer in its field, driving innovation and excellence. To honour this special occasion, one of the company’s founders, Juho Partanen, shares insights into the company’s journey, achievements, and lessons learned along the way.

The essential GS1 UHF Gen2 protocol was published in 2004, launching the RFID industry practically. Juho Partanen and Jukka Voutilainen, two researchers collaborating at the Laboratory of Applied Electronics at the Helsinki University of Technology, recognized the immense potential of their expertise.

“We established  Voyantic because we saw an opportunity to turn research-driven knowledge into a scalable and profitable business,” Juho recalls.

This began Voyantic’s journey — from academic research to a thriving global business.

Early Stages: From Research to Business

In the early 2000s, RFID technology was still in its infancy. At the Helsinki University of Technology, Juho and Jukka were deeply involved in corporate collaboration projects that explored smart packaging technologies, with RFID as a central focus. 

“It was an exciting time for us young researchers, being part of projects that put us at the forefront of new technology,” Juho reminisces.

As these projects concluded, partnering companies started asking questions about the measurement technology applied during the research phase. 

“That was when Jukka and I looked at each other, realizing we had stumbled on a possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Juho notes. 

They spent the next few years studying the market and refining their business plan. In late 2004, they established their company, secured funding, and launched the business. 

“It was truly a leap from research to business — a moment where we decided to put all our knowledge and energy on the line,” Juho says.

“That was when Jukka and I looked at each other, realizing we had stumbled on a possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “

Company Culture and Competitive Edge

A strong focus on technology initially drove the company’s growth, but as Juho points out, the real competitive advantage lies in its corporate culture. 

“We’ve always strongly committed to staying close to our customers and listening to their evolving needs. That’s what sets us apart,” he explains. 

The company has operated globally from the beginning, with scalability as a core principle. 

“It should not make a difference if our client is in China, the U.S., or Finland — the quality of the customer experience is always the same.”

Voyantic’s innovation can be seen in its adaptability to shifting customer demands. 

“Initially, our products were engineered to meet the requirements of RFID tag designers. But as our customers became more skilled with the technology, they started requesting solutions for production processes. This led us to develop a production quality tester and thus expand our footprint in the industry,” Juho shares.

Commitment to Sustainability and Emerging Trends

Sustainability and responsibility are integral to the company’s strategy. 

“We aim to be an environmentally responsible corporation, providing solutions that boost productivity and reduce waste,” Juho emphasizes. 

Company management closely monitors market trends such as circular economy practices and increased automation. 

“We must stay alert because our customers’ needs and operational environments constantly evolve. RFID technology, prevalent in the B2B space, might soon expand into consumer markets as digital product passports become ubiquitous. This will open up entirely new opportunities,” he envisions.

“We must stay alert because our customers’ needs and operational environments constantly evolve.”

A Future Driven by Innovation

At Voyantic, the innovation process is flexible and involves the entire team. 

“We don’t have a dedicated innovation team, but we do have a process that captures and evaluates new ideas. Anyone can make an invention disclosure, and that’s where it all starts,” Juho explains. 

This approach has led to numerous significant innovations over the years.

Looking ahead, Juho foresees significant changes, such as the growing importance of cybersecurity and the expansion of RFID into consumer markets. 

“The future is full of possibilities. We must develop new solutions to meet these changing needs, leading our business and company to grow. That’s what keeps us moving and inspired every day,” he concludes.

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