Let’s Get You Back on Track After Vappu Holidays!

This newsletter is the map that helps you navigate the Finnish entrepreneurial scene. Our goal is to keep you informed and connected with the latest funding news, insights, and must-attend events, regardless of the industry you build in.

 🥇Funded!

 IXI | €36.5 M Series A | CEO: Niko Eiden | Espoo-based IXI raised €36.5 million to commercialise the world’s first autofocus prescription eyewear, led by Plural with investors like byFounders, and Heartcore Capital. 

 Onego Bio | €40 M Growth Round | CEO: Maija Itkonen | Helsinki-based biotech startup, which develops animal-free egg proteins, secured €40 million in funding led by NordicNinja VC. 

 NPHarvest | €2.4 M Seed | CEO: Juho Uzkurt Kaljunen | Cleantech startup that raised €2.4 million in seed funding to advance its nutrient-recycling technology, led by Nordic Foodtech VC and supported by public innovation funding.

💥Startups to Watch

Aurora Propulsion Technologies | CEO: Perttu Yli-Opas  | CEO Perttu Yli-Opas named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2025 , spotlighting Aurora’s pioneering small-satellite propulsion systems.

 NPHarvest | CEO: Juho Uzkurt Kaljunen | Winner of the ITU Breakthrough Award 2025 for its breakthrough innovation in nutrient recovery from wastewater, tackling global sustainability challenges.

📅Events You Can’t Miss

Founders Live | 15 May, Helsinki | Five 99-second pitches in an electric atmosphere.

Latitude59  | May 21-23, Tallinn | The flagship startup and tech conference of the Baltics, bringing together founders, investors, and innovation leaders.

Eastern Finland Startup Get-Together | May 20, Kuopio | Network with peers, mentors, and FiBAN angels, discover regional resources and pitch in a less crowded setting

SHIFT Business Festival | May 22, Turku |  Southwest Finland’s premier innovation event mixing tech talks, networking, startup pitches, and a festival vibe

Midnight Shine – Oulu Startup & Investor Networking | June 11, Oulu  | Connect with Helsinki and national investors in a relaxed, under-the-midnight-sun atmosphere.

Arctic15 | 4-5 Jun 2025, Helsinki | Top matchmaking startup event in Nordics & Baltics.

📚Learning Hub

apidays Helsinki & North | June 3–4, Helsinki | Explore APIs, automation, AI, and sustainability strategies, network with developers, CTOs, and tech leaders

Business Finland GenAI Forum | June 2, Helsinki | Dive into the latest on generative AI in business, meet AI researchers, and learn about R&D funding opportunities. Register by May 15.

Launch X Summer Accelerator | May 31–June 14, Oulu | Idea-stage founders or individuals join teams, get mentoring, and pitch at the final demo day

📊Market Trends

Sectors |  Strong investor focus on deep tech, quantum computing, climate tech, and sustainable food. Sectors like fintech and gaming were quieter in April, but AI remains a top theme in pre-seed and seed deals. 

Early vs. Late Stage |  While big Series B/C rounds are rarer, early-stage investing remains robust. Finnish business angels invested €31.5 million into 84 startups in 2024, focusing on bigger tickets but fewer deals. 

 Nordic Comparison |  The Nordics raised ~$8.2 billion in VC in 2024, with Finland contributing strongly, especially in impact and deep tech. Sweden remains the largest player, but Finland leads Europe in the share of VC funding going to female-founded startups (30%)

🔎Policy Updates

Income Tax Cuts |  Effective late April 2025, Finland lowered personal income tax rates, reducing the top marginal rate from 57% to 52% and cutting taxes for low- and middle-income earners.

 Corporate Tax Reduction & Loss Carryforwards |  The corporate tax rate will drop from 20% to 18% by 2027, and startups can now carry forward losses for 25 years (up from 10)

Incentives for Key Talent & Returnees |  Foreign key hires now benefit from a reduced 25% withholding tax, and returning Finnish citizens get new tax relief incentives to bring their skills and businesses home.

 VAT Exemption Threshold Raised |  Small businesses now get a higher VAT exemption threshold (€20,000 annual turnover, up from €15,000)

🌟 Final Word: You Have No Reason To Be Afraid.

Some days just feel heavy in ways that are hard to put into words. Maybe it’s that meeting that left you second-guessing everything, the launch that didn’t quite hit the mark, or just that slow, crippling anxiety that progress isn’t coming fast enough.

We tell ourselves to stay focused, stay grateful, keep pushing and fake it till you make it. But there’s this quiet weight we carry, the private moments of doubt, the “if only,” the silent wondering if we’re still headed in the right direction.

💡 So take a deep breath. And on the days when it feels like you’re stuck, trust that beneath the surface, something important is shifting and growing.

🚀 Until next time!

Brought to you by Vlada Ermak

Special Thanks to the GC Club