M?nchen/Helsinki
Siemens Mobile Acceleration launches operations in Finland targeting start-up companies focusing on wireless mobile communication

Siemens Mobile Acceleration today announced its entrance into the Finnish wireless market. The investor will support Finnish start-up companies devoted to mobile technology, mobile applications and mobile services. Support offered by Siemens Mobile Acceleration includes capital, continuous coaching by senior management consultants and access to Siemens' worldwide R&D facilities as well as its marketing networks. The sales support offered by the Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group (Siemens mobile), with a global customer base of 150 telecom operators, is one of the unique assets for attracting wireless entrepreneurs.

Two years after its initial launch, Siemens Mobile Acceleration is already one of the leading European investors in its field with more than 2,000 business ideas assessed and a build-up portfolio comprising 12 companies. The company is represented in a number of European countries, has a broad business base in China, and recently opened an office in the USA. Now it is targeting the market in Finland.

?Mobile communications is brimming with new business opportunities. The success of future mobile businesses depends on attractive applications and service, opening up exciting new opportunities for start-up companies?, said Dietrich Ulmer, CEO of Siemens Mobile Acceleration. ?Finland is obviously one of the most highly developed countries in terms of mobile communications worldwide and has a well-known reputation for pioneering wireless technologies and applications. We therefore see a lot of opportunities for business ideas here.?

?Finland is one of the leading clusters of new ideas and talented people in the wireless field, but today there is an urgent need for early stage financing and support to reach international markets. Siemens Mobile Acceleration encourages all young wireless companies seeking early stage financing and support to get in contact for possible cooperation,? said Osmo Koskisto, representative of Siemens Mobile Acceleration in Finland. As part of smac's Scandinavian team he will cover all business proposals there.

?As one of the leading suppliers in the market, Siemens focuses on active innovations in the complete range of mobile communications from infrastructure and devices to applications. The activities of Siemens Mobile Acceleration boost the variety of our end-to-end solution offerings. In Finland this will further strengthen our position based on our strong competence in mobile solutions and the number 2 position for mobile phones,? said Petteri Kleemola, director of Siemens Information and Communication Mobile in Finland.

Siemens Mobile Acceleration (smac) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group. Founded in Munich, Germany, in 2001, Siemens Mobile Acceleration is further represented in Stockholm, London, Paris, Milan, Dublin, Vienna as well as in China and USA.