Silicon Valley

Rotational Partner Program

Expand Your Foothold in Silicon Valley — Forge the Future of Industry

Join us in Silicon Valley in 2025

Our ~2 Month On-Site Program for industry leaders aims to explore advanced technologies, establish strategic partnerships, and deliver lasting business impact in the epicenter of global technology.

Through the Rotational Partner Program, we enable industrial corporations to gain first-hand market intelligence and establish high-value partnerships with leading tech companies, investors, and academic institutions by sending your top talent on our structured secondment to Silicon Valley’s innovation ecosystem. You will gain direct exposure to key technology trends and business-critical solutions while accessing a network of top founders, industry leaders, investors, and academics.

What You’ll Gain?

Explore advanced technologies & establish strategic partnerships.

Expand your foothold in Silicon Valley

Establish a tangible presence in Palo Alto, engaging daily with world-class startups, corporate leaders and investors at the forefront of tech development. We enable you to gain hands-on exposure to emerging trends, disruptive business models, and the most novel technologies shaping the future.

Accelerate talent development

Participants broaden their skillsets, form global connections, and return with fresh insights that inspire new initiatives. The experience further develops strategic thinking, fosters adaptability, and strengthens participants’ ability to drive innovation within your organization.

Collaborate with industry-leading peers

Engage with other industrial companies also taking part in the program, sharing knowledge, best practices, and exploring potential joint initiatives that can drive cross-industry innovation. The collaborations offer potential to create long-term partnerships that extend beyond the program, enabling future business opportunities and joint ventures.

“I gained a deep understanding of Silicon Valley’s unique culture — where everyone is driven by entrepreneurial spirit, constantly pitching new ideas. The sheer concentration of talent, venture capital, and cutting-edge technology in one place is truly remarkable. It’s an inspiring and dynamic environment to be a part of.”

— Per Strandberg
Project Manager, Westermo

Why Silicon Valley?

The number one tech ecosystem

Leading ecosystem of ideas and talent

Home of the world’s top founders and engineers driving cutting-edge advancements in 10,000+ startups within AI, robotics, sustainability, manufacturing and mobility.

Top universities like Stanford and UC Berkeley, powering next-gen talent and research.

The epicenter of venture capital & tech acquisitions

Boasting the world’s top investors, accounting for 57% of global venture capital invested over 2022-2024 ($170B).

Exceptionally strong tech M&A activity with $380B+ in acquisitions only in 2024, further strengthening the ecosystem.

 

Future-focused corporate environment

38 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the region, including tech leaders like Apple, NVIDIA, and Alphabet.

Fast-moving ecosystems based on reciprocal introductions and rapid experimentation that accelerate product cycles and strategic partnerships.

“I highly recommend that any industry-leading company takes advantage of the next rotation by sending a representative. It’s an invaluable opportunity for growth and innovation.”

Hanna Karlsson
Chief Engineer Driver Safety, Autoliv

 

Foundry enables industrial leaders to navigate the Silicon Valley ecosystem with greater efficiency together

CriteriaWith FoundryOwn Setup
Access to EcosystemAccess our venture network and Nordic Innovation House ecosystem right when you landTime consuming and costly to establish networks from ground up
Time-to-ImpactFaster execution with proven structure and established local credibilityLonger ramp-up time to build a comparable program from scratch
Peer Network & CollaborationBuilt-in peer network with other leading Nordic corporatesN/A
Participant SupportStructured program guidance by on-site support team at Combient Foundry's local officeN/A
Operational Risk & ComplexityMinimal risk & complexity — Foundry supports with logistics, cadence, and program executionHigh — requires dedicated internal resources to manage operations and execution
Cost EfficiencyLower costs due to shared resources Higher setup costs (office, admin, relocation, visas, and research funding)
Program Structure

Silicon Valley Rotational Partner Program

For who: Leading industrial companies including Foundry members and ecosystem partners

When: September – December 2025

Duration: 1.5 – 2.5 Months

1. Application & selection

Your company nominates participants who align with specific goals (e.g., expanding market reach, scouting AI solutions).

Combient Foundry reviews applications to confirm the best program fit. Participants will have the opportunity to refine their focus areas and objectives with guidance from our team before the program begins.

2. Preparation & planning

Short orientation sessions to clarify objectives and key outcomes, introduction to Combient Foundry’s Palo Alto office and existing local network.

Foundry will support participants with tailored landscape reviews around the research topics to help identify the most interesting players to meet in the Valley, to maximize the impact of the program.

3. On-site experience

Work from our Palo Alto office, with daily support from our on-site team. Engage in focused meetings and strategy discussions, connecting you to startups, investors, and corporate innovators

The program includes regular check-ins to track progress, refine objectives, and identify pilot or partnership opportunities.

4. Continued growth & follow-up

Participants bring actionable outcomes—from technology adoption to collaborative projects—back to your organization.

Multiple rotations (across ~1.5 years) allow your company to deepen partnerships, rotate additional leaders, and maintain momentum.

Who Should Join?

Business Unit Leaders & Managers

Focused on new ventures, strategic growth, or transformation initiatives.

Senior Engineers & R&D Leads

Exploring emerging technologies and integrating them into products or processes.

Product Managers

Seeking to adapt to market demands, test new business models, and pilot cutting-edge solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • Which companies can join?

    Any industrial or service organization aiming to leverage technology-driven growth, build valuable partnerships, or expand globally.

  • How many rotations are recommended?

    At least three rotations over ~1.5 years are encouraged for maximum benefit. However, timelines can be adapted to your strategic needs.

  • What do participants typically do day-to-day?

    • Use our Palo Alto office as a base for ecosystem events and meetings
    • Collaborate with Combient Foundry’s on-site team for local guidance and curated introductions
    • Stay in touch with home offices to align findings and potential initiatives with ongoing projects

  • Can multiple participants from the same company join?

    Yes. Many companies send different leaders or teams across successive rotations to diversify learnings and internal impact.

  • What are the main costs?

    • Travel & Accommodation: Covered by your company
    • Program Fee: Includes workspace, direct advisory support, introductions, and exclusive networking opportunities

  • How do we sustain momentum after the on-site period?

    • Participants share takeaways with leadership and peers, fueling new pilot concepts or partnerships
    • We facilitate follow-ups with relevant contacts for deeper collaboration
    • Future rotations can build on the foundations laid in the initial visit

  • Which industries benefit the most?

    • Manufacturing & Smart Industry (AI-driven automation, robotics)
    • Automotive & Mobility (electrification, autonomy)
    • Financial & Business Services (fintech, blockchain, AI)
    • Energy & Sustainability (circular economy, clean tech)

  • Do we need a prior presence in Silicon Valley?

    No. This program is designed to help you establish or strengthen your foothold in the region, leveraging our local office and network.

  • How do we apply?

    • Submit a short application outlining your goals and participant profiles.
    • We’ll follow up to confirm alignment and finalize your spot.

Ready to join?

Next Rotation: Mid-September to Mid-December 2025

Application Deadline: June 16, 2025

Contact: Lauri Lehtovuori, CEO ()

Apply now! →