Lauka Biotech, a Finnish spin-off, is transforming global tree production with advanced AI and robotics
Lauka Biotech, a Finnish biotechnology company, is advancing high-quality tree production through AI and robotics, increasing efficiency, consistency, and scalability across forestry, climate resilience, and sustainable materials.
The company commercializes a production technology that combines somatic embryogenesis with AI-driven robotics.
Somatic embryogenesis is a tissue culture method used in tree breeding and research, but the industrial applications are limited by labor-intensive steps.
“Our innovation enables the large-scale production of elite trees faster, more consistently, and at lower cost than traditional methods,” explains Mikko Tikkinen, CEO of Lauka Biotech.
Removing a significant bottleneck in advanced tree production
Lauka Biotech’s compact, modular robots use AI to identify and process the best embryos, automating quality control and precision handling that previously required skilled manual labor. The company estimates that its technology will significantly increase each worker's output and ensure consistent quality from batch to batch.
Automation lets skilled specialists focus on more productive tasks that add value to the production of plant material, rather than on straining, repetitive work.
Meeting a growing global need for better trees
Global demand for wood increases while the production area competes with other land uses land and climate risks are getting worse. This creates an urgent need for more and better trees.
“Forests are essential for the bioeconomy and climate adaptation. Faster-growing, more resilient trees are required, and our technology delivers these traits at scale and speed,” says Tikkinen.
Designed for scalability and global adoption
Lauka Biotech’s technology integrates seamlessly into current production processes without major upfront costs, lowering adoption barriers.
First targeting conifer production, the technology also has potential well beyond forestry.
The platform may also be applied to woody species, such as fruit trees, grapevines, and cocoa, to expand market opportunities.
A new player from Finland’s forest innovation ecosystem
Lauka Biotech draws on Finland’s forestry and bioeconomy research, spun off from the Laukansaari Giants project of Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) and South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk) in collaboration with Business Finland. Lauka Biotech’s pre-seed funding round is now open.
“The creation of new research-based companies is important for advancing the bioeconomy and bringing Finnish expertise to international markets. We want to invest even more strongly in turning research into new solutions, technologies and growth companies,” says Pauli Saarenketo, Innovation Manager at the Natural Resources Institute Finland.
Company information
Lauka Biotech Ltd
Founded: May 2026
Headquarters: Savonlinna, Finland
Founders:
Mikko Tikkinen, CEO
Sakari Välimäki, COO
Elmar Bernhardt, CTO
Media contact
Mikko Tikkinen
CEO, Lauka Biotech
mikko@laukabiotech.com
+358 40 773 3576
