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.

Multiple RFID protocols were published in 2004, practically launching the RFID industry. 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.

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.