Helsinki

A sense of community is strong in Helsinki and there are plenty of organizations to help you feeling at home and starting your business in Helsinki. You can also refer to the Startup Ecosystem Canvas to get a visual representation.

• fi.co

NewCo Helsinki – https://newcohelsinki.fi/en/

International House Helsinki – https://www.ihhelsinki.fi/

Helsinki Business Hub – https://www.helsinkibusinesshub.fi/ Employment Services – http://www.te-palvelut.fi/te/en/

Business Finland – https://www.businessfinland.fi/en/do-business-with-finland/home/

Invest in Finland – https://www.investinfinland.fi/home Infopankki,

Finland in your language- https://www.infopankki.fi/en/frontpage

Startups have great access to capital in Helsinki. Finnish startups receive the most venture capital per capita in Europe and Finland is home to one of the largest and most active business angel networks. Combining these with a well-functioning government support, Helsinki is an ideal funding environment for entrepreneurs to take their ideas and dreams into business.

Government Grants and Subventions

Business Finland offers various funding services for startups https://www.businessfinland.fi/en/for-finnish-customers/services/funding/startup/in-brief/.

Finnvera provides financing for the start-up, growth and internationalization of companies and for protection against export risks. It supports Finnish enterprises by offering loans, domestic guarantees, venture capital investments, export credit guarantees and other services associated with the financing of exports https://www.finnvera.fi/eng/.

Finnish Startup Grant ensures income for an aspiring entrepreneur during the estimated time taken to launch and establish a full-time business, however for a maximum of 18 months. http://www.te-palvelut.fi/te/en/employers/for_entrepreneurs/services_new_entrepreneurs/startup_grant/index.html.

Venture Capital and Angel Investment

The Finnish Venture Capital Association has more information on venture capital and private equity investors in Finland https://paaomasijoittajat.fi/en/finnish-venture-capital-association/. Finnish Business Angel Network has 650 approved investor members that are actively seeking new growth companies https://www.fiban.org/.

Greater Helsinki boasts one of the most highly educated workforces in the world. The region consistently ranks in the European Top10 for productivity and global competitiveness and Helsinki has the 2nd highest concentration of commercially successful app developers globally (Silicon Valley has the 1st).

Find talent for your team through the Hub https://thehub.fi/.

Business Registration

Setting up a business in Finland is quick, easy and you can do it online in English. The process takes only 2 to 3 weeks. Just choose a suitable form of enterprise, and register your company in the Finnish Patent and Registration Office’s Trade Register https://www.prh.fi/en/kaupparekisteri.html.

If you need help in establishing your company, you can always seek advice from NewCo business advisors https://newcohelsinki.fi/en/.