Finland’s national XR awards were presented for the second time at MatchXR, recognising Finnish excellence in immersive technologies and pioneers who have made a lasting contribution to the industry. This year’s Content of the Year award went to Novus Rescue Oy for its thermal imaging system incorporating depth information. The Finnish Hall of Fame honour was awarded to Urho Konttori, a long-standing pioneer in the Finnish XR industry.
The winners were announced at MatchXR 2026 in Helsinki on 12 November. The competition attracted an exceptionally strong field in its second year, with finalists including some of Finland’s leading XR creators, technological innovations and immersive experiences that have also gained international recognition.
Award-winning innovation combines advanced technology with societal impact
The Content of the Year award was presented to Novus Rescue Oy for its thermal imaging system. The solution integrates depth information into thermal imaging and is designed for search and rescue operations. The winning innovation demonstrates how advanced imaging technologies can be applied in demanding environments to address challenges of significant societal importance.
The finalists represented the breadth of Finnish XR expertise, ranging from creative storytelling and immersive experiences to technological innovations. The exceptionally high standard of the competition reflects the diversity of the industry and the strength of Finnish expertise.
The other finalists were Alone at Night, an immersive and socially engaged short film by Handle Productions; TUNTU, a multisensory experience by Tuntu Design; and Rintamaklinikan varjot (Shadows of the Frontline Clinic), an example of spatial journalism by Yle Ulkolinja.
Urho Konttori inducted into the Finnish Hall of Fame
The Finnish Hall of Fame honour was awarded to Urho Konttori, one of the most influential pioneers of Finland’s XR industry.
Konttori is a co-founder of the internationally successful Finnish technology company Varjo, known for its ultra-high-resolution VR and MR headsets used in demanding industrial, aviation and defence applications.
He is currently the CEO of Distance Technologies, a company he founded to develop next-generation display technology that enables augmented reality experiences without conventional headsets. Konttori’s work has played a significant role in bringing Finnish XR technology to international prominence.
The Finnish Hall of Fame category recognises individuals whose work has made a significant contribution to the development and international growth of Finland’s XR industry. The honour is presented annually in recognition of long-term dedication, pioneering achievements and efforts to raise the international profile of Finnish XR solutions.
Last year’s recipient was Mika Luimula, Head of Education and Research at Turku University of Applied Sciences.
The winners were selected by a three-member international jury:
- Valerie Riffaud Cangelosi, member of Conseil National de la XR (CNXR) and CEO of Reapse Consulting
- Damon Hernandez, Founder and CEO of Mixx Reality
- Dr Sanni Siltanen, Head of Program at Business Finland
The competition brought together an exceptionally strong group of nominees, with the winners selected from among Finland’s leading XR professionals and innovations.
