Consulate General of Finland, Los Angeles

Photo by: Robert Sturman

My name is Manu Virtamo, and I'm happy to serve as the Consul General in Los Angeles since March 2004. California is not only inducive to great music and my instrument, the guitar, it is also the perfect place to interact with one of the leading information technology communities in the world. I play my guitar to an American tune and I hope that even more Finnish companies would join me in the future.

The primary goal of Finland's LA Consulate General is to find links between the two world-class high tech communities, the Finnish and the American, and promote partnerships and alliances between Finnish and US companies, organizations, universities and research institutions. To implement this program we organise events and seminars, conduct research projects and engage in extensive networking especially with the LA tech entertainment community. Promoting Finnish culture in all its different forms is another major function of the Consulate.

The Consulate General in Los Angeles represents Finland in thirteen Western US states where we provide consular services and information on Finland. The Consulate's activities are conducted by our small but capable and energetic staff. As to trade and technology, the experts located in Santa Clara at the Finnish Foreign Trade Center (Finpro) and at the office of our National Technology Agency (TEKES) are also at your service.

On our pages you will find information on Finland and high technology, facts about Finland in general and information on consular matters. The events calendar is an important source of information for visitors as well as for us who live on the West Coast.

I hope you will find our website enjoyable and informative enough to make you a regular visitor!

Mission statement

Welcome to the website of the Consulate General of Finland in Los Angeles