Helsinki is one of the most cost-efficient and talent-saturated cities in Europe. Read on to learn the experiences of international businesspeople and how they discovered collaboration, sustainability, and long-term opportunities in Helsinki.

Trust and openness boost innovation and collaboration in Helsinki

Maybe it’s due to the harsh living conditions of the north that Finns developed a trust in their fellow citizens early on: you can’t afford to beat around the bush amidst freezing snow.

Today, this trust, openness and no-bullcrap culture create the basis for business partnerships in Helsinki. The city is home to key organizations in the Finnish and Nordic technology ecosystem, including VTT Technical Research Center of Finland, University of Helsinki and the Aalto University with their laboratory and research services.

Vincent Marsland, CEO and Co-Founder of Marsland Institute, is a Canadian consultant and serial entrepreneur. He came to Helsinki to update his knowledge about the European ecosystem and find a base for his next venture.

“I’ve been exploring an AI startup for the last six months and there’s a great deal of both talent and research happening within Helsinki in the AI space,” Vincent says. “I’ve had some really high value add conversations with both FCAI, VTT and the wider business ecosystem as I understand potential for doing R&D in this space here.”

Recently, both private and public sector in Finland have invested heavily into RDI, including the ELLIS Institute in Helsinki and 13 new professorships in AI research. These efforts are not surprising from a country that’s been investing into free education and R&D for decades now – and one that believes that’s just the beginning.

Results of Finland’s long-standing investments into deep tech R&D

Gaining the next level of business networking in Helsinki

Finland is sometimes described as an introvert’s paradise, but we still take relationship-building seriously. And even though Finland’s a small and tight-knit country, anyone can benefit from introductions and support to kick-start their networking.

The fastest way to start building your business relationships is participating in programs such as 90 Day Finn. Ladi and Sean Carr participated in in the program in 2021 and found it instrumental in quickly building strong networks through exclusive events.

“The program offered a concierge-level service to connect with the city, the corporate environment, and venture capitalists. We could network very quickly in a way I had never experienced before. I don’t think we could have achieved that level of connectivity, exposure, or had the same conversations without the 90 Day Finn Program”, says Sean Carr.

Understanding what drives the Nordic business culture

Finns may envy other countries for their mountains (we only have fells), but what we don’t envy them for is hierarchical organisation structures. We prefer structures flat because they, in turn, facilitate open communication and collaboration.

Vincent runs us through how it works: “I find that Finnish org structures tend to be very flat and relationship driven. And so once you have that initial inroad with one company or one group, they can make really good like additional introductions to other people within the ecosystem. And from there you can very quickly and easily navigate through. Meanwhile, because everything’s very flat org structure wise, everyone seems to be empowered to build those relationships and to make decisions that could be really additive to you in your business.”

Sagar Tandon, Partner of Beyond Impact VC, highlights the importance of deep-diving into the culture that surrounds business: “90 Day Finn has offered me some extremely interesting insights. This program has not just given me the opportunity to understand what kinds of businesses exist, what kinds of technologies are getting developed, what kinds of investments are happening, what kinds of capital markets are actually getting formed here, but also the fabric of the society.”

Finding a place where ethical AI and sustainable impact take precedent

Because happiness, wood, fresh water, and some critical minerals are just about our only natural resources, Finland understood long ago that clean nature and human capital are its greatest assets. Environmental and social responsibility drive our passion for technological innovation and impact investments.

That means sometimes doing things the hard way, but we don’t mind pushing through the mud. With the goal to become carbon-neutral in 2030, Helsinki’s actively driving innovation for sustainability in all walks of life.

Roberta Gilardi is a CEO from Italy who came to Helsinki as a participant to the 90 Day Finn Program in 2022 and has been reflecting on the philosophy behind technological advancements.

“AI research in Finland is not a slave to technology. Instead, the goal of the research is to find solutions to improve human life and happiness,” she says. “There are ethics behind the innovation. AI by itself is neither good nor bad; it is a neutral tool. We shouldn’t use technology without thinking about the good it can do for people.”

Sagar, an investor in the green transition, identified Helsinki as a key location for sustainable business growth. He says, “Much centricity has been put on nature, and that’s in every conversation [during the 90 Day Finn Program].”

Long-term impact and business opportunities in Helsinki

The benefits of the 90 Day Finn Program extend far beyond the stay in Helsinki. Many participants, including Vincent, Ladi and Sean have continued their business relationships in Finland, leading to new investments and partnerships.

“If we need something or have a question, we ask our friends in Helsinki Partners, and they make an introduction,” concludes Ladi Carr.

Vincent notes how easy it was to establish connections and navigate through the ecosystem with the program. “The 90 Day Finn Program offered me an opportunity to explore the Finnish ecosystem, make valuable connections, and to build relationships within the market that could be valuable in the long-term.”

Curious about the Finnish market and innovation ecosystem? Join the 90 Day Finn Program and explore why expanding to Helsinki could be the perfect move for your company. Applications close March 31, 2025.

Is your time looking about to end and discovering to begin? By visiting Helsinki through programs like 90 Day Finn, you can grow your network efficiently and get an exclusive business introduction to Finland.