Finland – the land of a thousand lakes and home to a multidimensional entrepreneurial ecosystem

Finland is considered to be one of the safest countries in the world when it comes to starting a business. This can currently be seen in practice because interest towards entrepreneurship is now on the increase in Finland, especially among the young.

Small companies from traditional to hi-tech and innovation

Only 0,2 % of the Finnish companies are considered large in size whereas small and micro-sized companies cover almost 99 % of our entrepreneurial field.

Finland’s business environment has a large industrial and services base. There are various fields of business from agriculture to real estate to hi-tech and retail with almost everything in between. To give you an example, in 2016 20% of Finnish companies were operating in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries. Finland is also widely known for innovation and hi-tech – you can find global leaders in telecommunications and innovative technology applications amongst our companies. Exported products and services are mainly related to hi-tech and forest industry.

Doing business in Finland

According to the World Bank Report 2014 Finland is the 9^th easiest country to do business. Starting a business in Finland relatively easy because Finns are pragmatic and like to get down to business right away. The process of starting a business can be done in a couple of weeks.

Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free market economy with one of the highest per capita gross domestic product in Europe and a high standard of living. Finland has a stable economy and Finnish government is really focused on building a global marketplace and removing trade barriers. Also, the level of corruption is one of the lowest in the world. These give the entrepreneurs an open business environment filled with possibilities!

Finland can be compared to the UK when it comes to doing business. If you have succeeded in the UK with your business, there is a great chance you will be successful in Finland as well.

Currently, the demand for business services such as consultancy and advertising is growing rapidly. Amongst the consumers, demand for high quality brand demand is on the increase.

Startup scene is now a hot topic – have you heard about Slush?

Young and successful entrepreneurs have become famous in Finland through their Startups. No wonder, since there has been lots of hustle and bustle in the startup scene all around Finland. Entrepreneurs, entrepreneurial organizations and even students arrange all kinds of events throughout Finland to boost up the entrepreneurial mindset. Other aspect of these events is to encourage entrepreneurs to growth and internationalization as well as acquiring new skills.

Slush is a student-driven, non-profit movement originally founded to change attitudes toward entrepreneurship. Currently Slush aims to help the next generation companies forward by facilitating founder and investor meetings and building a world-wide startup community. Slush started from Finland as 300 person assembly and developed into a world wide known event, spreading globally. In 2018, Slush will be organized in Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore and Helsinki. Find out more on www.slush.org.

Higher education students have established Entrepreneurship Societies and there are over 20 of them in Finland already. These societies encourage students to become entrepreneurs and acquire skills needed in the future working life. Entrepreneurship societies also connect the students with entrepreneurs, entrepreneurial organizations and other students with similar mindset.

Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences is located in the entrepreneurial part of Finland

Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences is one of almost 200 contact points in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme. The school is located in a region called South Ostrobothnia, which is considered very entrepreneurial. Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences works tightly together with local businesses. We do research, development and innovation projects together with local, national and international companies and organizations to acquire and exploit new information.

Picture: SeAMK picture bank

We welcome you to Finland!

Finland is very different from other European countries but you can easily adapt. The country is known for its shy but effective people, saunas, beautiful nature and four very different seasons. There are only 5,5 people living in Finland with density of only 16,3 people/km² - it really explains the shyness. However, most Finns are fluent English speakers, which makes it very easy for you to manage with business and every day life.

Business-wise Finland has a technologically sophisticated population and many of the Finnish companies aim in high quality and innovation. In fact, WEF has ranked Finland’s healthcare, primary and higher education and innovation environment as the best in the world. Our host entrepreneurs are open to new possibilities and our new entrepreneurs have plenty of innovative ideas to share with their international counterparts. With respect to the Finnish traditions, the best business ideas and innovations are usually discovered in sauna 😁

New entrepreneurs - we encourage you to participate in Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme and welcome you to Finland! 
Host Entrepreneurs - join the programme and welcome our innovative Finnish new entrepreneurs to your company!

Text by:

Pauliina Mäntylä

Project Manager

Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences