Jyväskylä-based nro.one, which uses artificial intelligence in football coaching, participated in the Sport Finland network’s trip to the World Football Summit Europe in Seville. Sport Finland brought together Finnish expertise under one roof, creating a supportive community that helped companies expand their networks within the global football industry.
Jyväskylä-based nro.one is harnessing artificial intelligence to promote safer and healthier football training practices. In September, the company joined Sport Finland on a trip to Seville for the World Football Summit (WFS), an annual international conference and exhibition. Over the course of two days, the event brought together around 4,000 football professionals from across the globe.
Felix Hannelin, Commercial Director of nro.one, stated that the company joined the trip to Seville with the goal of expanding its network across Europe. This objective was certainly achieved, as Hannelin engaged in productive discussions with potential international partners.
- We were looking for international connections, and we succeeded. I believe that within six months, some of these contacts will turn into tangible business opportunities. Things are looking very promising, and the trip exceeded our expectations, Hannelin concludes.
He stresses the importance of proactive preparation before the trip.
- It’s definitely worthwhile to network in advance. We had many productive discussions that wouldn’t have been as successful without the groundwork we laid beforehand. At the same time, it’s important to step outside your comfort zone — especially at an event like this. Don’t hesitate to approach people and strike up conversations.
Sport Finland had a stand at the fair, bringing together Finnish expertise. It showcased the valuable competence of Finnish companies to the international football community.
Hannelin feels that Sport Finland's support during the trip was very practical.
- There was a certain kind of mental reassurance all the time in the background. If you needed to vent your thoughts, you could always find familiar Finns at the stand. Being part of a supportive and high-quality community allowed me to stay focused on what really mattered at the fair.
Solutions to prevent problems
At events like WFS, the company’s message is repeated many times. Hannelin notes that over the course of the fair, their sales pitch was refined and effectively captured the audience's attention. He believes that nro.one has significant potential to succeed in the international market.
- While there are many solutions to existing problems in the football world, we offer a way to prevent issues before they arise. This sparked considerable interest within the football community. Our service is designed to save time, and in my experience, time is one of the most valuable resources in the sports industry.
Photo: WFS
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The business delegation trip to World Football Summit Europe in Seville was organized on September 18–19, 2024, as part of the Sport Finland network's activities. The network is based on a joint project led by the cities of Jyväskylä, Lahti, and Kuopio, supported by the European Regional Development Fund, and implemented between April 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024. The companies participating in the trip were eWatt, Awesome Crowd, Kuitu Media, Northern Sports Insight and Intelligence (ACT Head Impact Tracker), ONIT Sport, Nordic Rack and Office (nro.one), Dribla and Appis.
