Miss Us? April Edition Is Here!☀️

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!

Bought | $1.5M Pre-Seed | CEO: Erik Kymäläinen | Simplifying secondhand fashion sales through AI-generated listings. One of the largest rounds for a Finnish startup led by a team under 30. Backed by Lifeline Ventures and Wave Ventures.

Capalo AI | $4.1M Seed | CEO: Henri Taskinen | AI-driven optimization tool for battery assets.

6 Million Euro granted to the DeepTech Accelerator to fund research-based startups, amongst which:

Carbonaide Oy | CEO: Tapio Vehmas | Turning building materials from an emission source to the carbon dioxide sink. Backed by VTT and private investors.

Perfat Technologies Oy | CEO: Jyrki Lee-Korhonen | Innovating healthy fats for the food industry. Supported by University of Helsinki research.

Vitalsigns Oy | CEO: Alexis Kouros | Advanced health monitoring solutions to optimize the clinical workflow. 

💥Startups to Watch

IQM Quantum Computers | Co-CEOs: Mikko Välimäki & Jan Goetz  | Aiming to be Europe's answer to tech giants like Google and IBM in the quantum computing arena. Currently in discussions to secure over €200 million in funding, potentially marking one of the largest rounds in European quantum computing history.

EU Startups note the following promising Finnish startups:

Distance Technologies | CEO: Urho Konttori | Developing glasses-free mixed reality applications.
Flow Computing | CEO: Timo Valtonen |  Developing central processors for highly demanding computing.

Realm | Co-Founders: Johan Jern, Mikko Mäntylä & Mikka Huttunen | Workplace-focused search engine aiming to simplify the knowledge search in a company’s knowledge base.

👀Six People We Noticed

Yes, we’ve got our eyes on you. 

Asha Singadia | Founder & CEO of RunUp. Asha leads RunUp, focusing on championing fair and inclusive recruitment practices.

Roman Pikalenko  | Specializing in LinkedIn ghostwriting, Roman excels at crafting stories that catch attention and make your brand impossible to ignore.

Rita Kerola | Rita is known for her expertise in growth strategies that empower businesses and leaders to reach their full potential.

Lidiia Salo | Lidiia offers career coaching and mentorship programs that help professionals navigate the Finnish job market effectively based on a proven strategy with results.

Shassu Mänttäri  | Shassu leads projects at Aaltoes, fostering the spirit of entrepreneurship among students. One such projects is Pitch It - an engaging format of practising pitching with (almost) no limits. 

Anthony Sundström |  Passionately building the Finnish Logistics Group, Anthony focuses on providing reliable and sustainable transport services that save his clients’ time and money.

📅Events You Can’t Miss

Startup Refugees Business Breakfast | April 24, 2025, Helsinki | Network & support refugee-led businesses.

Crush 2025 | 14 May 2025, Helsinki | Feminist business conference driving sustainable growth.
Founders Live | 15 May, Helsinki | Five 99-second pitches in an electric atmosphere.

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

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

📚Learning Hub

Sisu Launchpad 2025  | An acceleration program inviting international startups to explore Finland’s ecosystem with online sessions

Hopohopo Fundraising Bootcamp  |  May 5-6, Helsinki  | 2-day program designed to prepare early-stage founders for their first investor meetings. The application deadline is April 17th.

Nordic Family Offices | An overview of 11 Nordic family offices investing in startups, offering potential funding avenues for entrepreneurs

📊Market Trends

 Funding Landscape | $123M raised across 22 equity rounds in Finland (as of March)

Creative Industries Boost | European Investment Fund commits €25M to support media projects in Finland.

 Internationality Attarcts Investment | Startups with international founders secured nearly 60% of funding raised by Maria 01 startups with reported appeal due to the diverse teams.

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) Market Expansion | Driven by consumer demand for flexible payment optionsThe BNPL market in Finland is projected to grow by 11.9% annually, reaching $3.78 billion in 2025.

🔎Policy Updates

Tax Credits for Clean Transition Investments | A call for tax credits aimed at large-scale clean transition investment projects. Eligible projects include those focused on renewable energy production, energy storage, decarbonization of industrial processes.

Note New Legal Requirements | As of 2025, startup entrepreneurs applying for residence permits in Finland must demonstrate a net income of at least €1,030 to €1,210 per month, depending on their place of residence

Cybersecurity Act Implementation | The Finnish government has submitted a bill for a cybersecurity act to enhance measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union. The legislation is intended to enter into force on 8 April 2025.

🌟 Final Word: You Are Not Alone

Do not forget that behind you there is a community of people who are willing to help and share your journey! Remember, that our ecosystem thrives because of people like you - those sharing knowledge, showing commitment and showing up for one another. Hold on to your community and it will hold on to you. 

💡 Keep Going. Someone out there is waiting for what you are building!

🚀 Until Next Month!