Getting Started For Entrepreneurs in Finland
Prime Minister Sanna Marin has made entrepreneurship one of his central focuses for her government program, seeking to boost confidence among companies as an attractive place to invest, start businesses and offer employment.
This study sought to better understand Finnish youth attitudes toward entrepreneurship and assess their background factors using descriptive statistical analysis. Results indicate more positive attitudes among Finnish young people toward entrepreneurialism compared to earlier studies.
Finland’s pro-entrepreneurship environment
Finland offers many opportunities for entrepreneurial businesses, thanks to its culture embracing work-life balance and encouraging creative thinking, helping make Finland one of the most competitive economies worldwide. Furthermore, this country provides state-backed support networks for startups – creating an atmosphere that attracts businesspeople while at the same time being an attractive location for newcomers looking to start up in Finland’s Land of a Thousand Lakes. However, many newcomers may feel uncertain of how best to start up in Finland.
As part of its effort to encourage entrepreneurship, Finland has developed an environment designed to facilitate innovative product and service creation and foster increased international competitiveness and foreign investment. Their strategy features policies designed specifically to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Finland has committed itself to building an economy characterized by freedom, innovation and lateral thinking. These initiatives reflect this goal while at the same time reflecting their Nordic cultural heritage – helping foster high quality lifestyle and business climate in Finland. Their dedication to supporting entrepreneurship and innovation have propelled it to the top of many international league tables measuring business competitiveness.
However, it remains essential that young people overcome barriers preventing them from pursuing entrepreneurial careers. Such obstacles include prejudices about entrepreneurship which may be reduced through additional information and education on entrepreneurship. Furthermore, it’s vitally important that we recognize how background factors shape entrepreneurial attitudes.
Finland’s Entrepreneurial Strategy is unparalleled, seeking to strengthen the nation’s business structure by expanding the number and overall size of companies, thus contributing to economic prosperity while creating jobs. Furthermore, this policy works toward developing networks of companies for increased collaboration.
Entrepreneurship can be a difficult journey for anyone, especially if they hail from another country. Josephine Atanga from Kenya is an example of someone devoted to their dream who persevered despite numerous hurdles – now running an effective company.
Getting started in Finland
Starting anew in Finland is an excellent opportunity for Europeans looking to broaden their horizons. This safe and stable society features an excellent healthcare system as well as vibrant culture and sports scenes that attract both visitors and native Finns. Furthermore, Finland provides a competitive business environment while being an exporter of wood products.
Finland boasts a distinctive Nordic aesthetic in the architecture and home design. Citizens take great pride in showing visitors around their country. Finland also enjoys an excellent standard of living, and its government provides assistance whenever needed by its citizens.
Education in Finland is highly valued, boasting one of the world’s premier school systems for all children from ages 6-18 free of charge. Furthermore, Finland stands as an international leader in terms of creating next-generation technologies; its thriving economy provides ample employment opportunities in sectors like IT, life sciences, biotechnology and engineering.
Entrepreneurship is increasingly popular in Finland, especially among young people. Entrepreneurs enjoy greater flexibility and more relaxed lifestyle than their conventional employee counterparts, including being in control of how, when and where they work while being paid remuneration that has been agreed with the person commissioning the work; also being responsible for their own taxes and pension contributions.
As a student in Finland, it is common practice to combine your studies and work. Around 55% of students have part-time jobs alongside their studies – this provides great opportunities for networking and practical experience while showing prospective employers that you are hardworking and active.
Finnish citizens love spending time outdoors and taking advantage of Finland’s beautiful nature. Reindeer hunting seasonally and outdoor sports such as skiing, hiking and cycling are popular pursuits; also popular is winter sport as long ski seasons run from late October until May in this Nordic nation.
As for food, Finnish residents enjoy plenty of fresh local produce. Over 80% of Finland is covered by forests that yield seasonal crops of fresh berries and mushrooms; fishing is another traditional activity; Finland boasts an extensive network of lakes along its long coastline; furthermore it produces numerous dairy products for export markets.
Finding the right talent for your startup
Finland boasts a flourishing innovation ecosystem and bustling startup scene, but to expand further it needs a diverse workforce from around the globe. Many startups have begun actively seeking international talent as soon as they start up; Raghunath Koduvayur, Head of Marketing Communications for quantum computing startup IQM believes it’s crucial that early talent be recruited – this will create an inclusive working environment and encourage employees to use English as the main working language, benefitting both parties involved.”
Global companies such as Nokia and Kone make international recruitment part of their standard practices; younger firms such as analytics software company Supermetrics embrace globalism as part of their founding values.
However, finding employment can still be challenging for internationals in Finland. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which make up 98% of businesses in Finland, often struggle to create an inclusive hiring culture that includes international talent. Kristina Sweet, CEO of The Shortcut and an expat herself suggests organizing job fairs where internationals are the focus, or creating profiles on Job Market Finland as ways of getting around this challenge.
These platforms are free and make it easier for internationals to find employment that meets their qualifications. Furthermore, the site enables users to build networks of contacts while receiving recommendations based on experience and skills.
However, it’s important to remember that job searching in Finland varies depending on the industry; Marketing & PR workers might find it harder than their colleagues in Finance or IT & Sysadmin to find work. Luckily, Helsinki provides support to internationals by offering guidance and information in English; Helsinki Partners also exists to facilitate international talent entering their city and establishing businesses there quickly – typically this process takes only weeks with most services provided in English.
Getting a residence permit
If you are planning to relocate to Finland in order to establish your own business, obtaining a residency permit is vital. Your eligibility for one will depend upon your reason for moving there: work-based residence permits may be needed depending on whether you plan on working, studying or reuniting families with existing ones in Finland; bank statements and supporting documents showing sufficient funds should also be submitted for consideration as proof. You will also require a sponsor who can cover some or all costs involved with living there.
If you plan on moving to Finland for work purposes, a residence permit based on employment will likely be necessary. These visas generally last one year but it may be possible to extend them beyond this; such an application would require having signed an employment contract that lasts at least two years.
Students relocating to Finland for study will require a residence permit that serves as their student-based visa. This visa should last the duration of your studies but may be extended if an offer from your university exists; once graduated, this residence permit can then be changed into one that supports working conditions.
Family Reunification Visas are issued based on family ties between you and Finnish nationals, such as close relatives residing in Finland. In order to be eligible for one, a sponsor who can cover your living costs must exist – usually this would include your spouse, parent, child or sibling who resides here – although unlike in some other countries their definition of family does not encompass those living outside its borders.
Finding a residence permit in Finland is generally straightforward. To start off the process, the first step should be filling out an appropriate application form based on why you are coming here – carefully reading through instructions and filling in all required fields. Once complete, locate a VFS Global Application Center which can verify your identity by taking biometric identifiers (signature, photograph or fingerprints), book an appointment with them, and complete verification process.
