Finnish new entrepreneur's exchange story from Spain

New Entrepreneur: Maria Helin

Host Entrepreneur: Jose Angel Abeal Riveiros

Host company: Balidea

Exchange period: 3.6.2019 - 30.9.2019

Who are the entrepreneurs

Finnish new entrepreneur Maria Helin applied for the programme via Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SeAMK). She had not yet established her own company but she had already participated in multiple business accelerator programmes and business idea competitions. Her idea is to establish a web application that operates as a social media service for a certain target group. 

Before applying, Maria had already made a business plan and started to develop the minimum viable product. She was also in the middle of searching cooperating partners. Since her business idea is meant for global markets, she thought Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs would be a great opportunity to learn from an experienced entrepreneur how to run an IT business in global markets.

Maria has her background in business development and marketing. She started looking for a host entrepreneur in the field of information and communications technology to get more insight to the technology part. She found the host entrepreneur Jose Angel Abeal Riveiros who runs a software company in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The host was interested in receiving new international insight in their marketing and Maria wanted to learn more about their competencies. 

                     Maria Helin  (new entrepreneur) and Esmeralda López Castro (communication manager of Balidea)

Win-win Entrepreneur Exchange

During the exchange in Balidea, Maria had the opportunity to work in the marketing and communications team. She got to put her skills to use and do for example marketing, communications and web page planning for the host company. Mr Abeal Riveiros was planning to launch a product for international markets and Maria participated in the market research during her stay. As a Scandinavian, Maria provided her insights in doing business in the Nordic countries as the host was planning to expand to Danish markets. She gave the host tips especially in the field of marketing communication.

In return, Maria has learned how to use different software that she can use to develop her own business idea. They have had several conversations with Mr. Abeal Riveiros about Spanish markets and how Maria's business idea would succeed there. The host has mentored Maria in the next steps she should take in order to present her idea to potential cooperating partners.

Outcomes

As an outcome, Maria learned new very practical skills about running an ICT company. She got lots of new skills and insights - especially in business management. She got to know the Spanish way of working and doing business and how it differs from the Finnish style. Mr Abeal Riveiros received tips for marketing and communications as well as insights about how to do business in the Nordic countries.

Maria's words

"Hi, I am Maria, 25 year-old business student from Finland and my goal is to run an IT business. I completed my exchange in Balidea company that is a local sofware business in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. I applied for the programme via Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences to develop my skills as an entrepreneur, especially in those areas that I am not yet so familiar with - and also because of the possibility of being mentored and expanding my networks! During the exchange I learned very practical things on how to run an IT business and I understood how small things can make you work more effectively."