We Are on It Again! Your Local Entrepreneurial News Fresh From the Oven

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!

Clock&Cloud |  €1.5 M | CEO:  Riku Hellgren | AI-based platform aimed at turning geopolitical insights into actionable business intelligence to help enterprises manage their international operations. Backed by Icebreaker.vc and Ugly Duckling Ventures.

Fiberdom |  €3.5 M | General Manager: Tomi Järvenpää | Transforming natural wood fibres into recyclable materials. Backed by Heino Group, Nordic Fodotech VC, Holdix and a Business Finland grant. 

Playmerce |  €225k | CEO: Iiro Kormi | An e-commerce platform offering a personalised feed of products that elevates the shopping experience with the help of an interactive and tailored system. Backed by angel investment.

💥 Startups to Watch

Onego Bio |  CEO: Maija Itkonen |  Tackling sustainable protein production with animal-free white egg protein.

Taito.ai  |  CEO: Kriso Ovaska |  AI-driven employee performance enablement platform sets its vision to rethink HR tech.

Zero  |  CEO: Tuomo Riekki | Sales intelligence startup offering an intuitive and automated tool as an AI sales assistant.

📅 Events You Can’t Miss

Spring Showcase: Innovation + Startups | May 8, Tampere | Red Brick Accelerator & Demola team up for pitches, prototypes, and open networking with early-stage teams of their spring batch startups.

Helsinki Tech Connect | May 20, Helsinki  | An evening of rapid talks, interviews, and high-energy networking for tech builders and investors.

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

Crush 2025 | 14 May 2025, Helsinki | Feminist conference driving sustainable growth.

Latitude59  | May 21-23, Tallinn | 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

Capital Networking Virtual Conference | April 24–25, 2025 | A global virtual event connecting investors with startups and fund managers. The event includes live Zoom panels, 1:1 pitch calls via Google Meet, and a 2D networking zone. 

Doing Business in Finland in 2025 Guide | A comprehensive guide covering regulations, hiring talent, and managing payroll in Finland.

📊 Market Trends

Surge in Finnish Startup Funding | Startup investments in Finland increased by 56% in 2024, totaling €1.4 billion, driven largely by foreign capital.

Rise in Angel Investments | Finnish business angels invested €31.5 million in startups in 2024, with a trend towards larger ticket sizes and fewer startups receiving funding.

Public Sector in VC | Government and pension funds are now the largest investors in Finnish VC.

🔎 Policy Updates

Business Support for Employment Reforms |  74% of companies back the government’s labour market measures. These measures include unemployment insurance and easing the rules around firing and hiring.

Public Shows Favour Towards Tax Cuts |  Polls show most Finns favour targeted tax cuts, especially around inheritance and succession for family businesses to fuel local entrepreneurship.

🌟 Final Word: Everything You Lose Is a Step You Take

Behind every great story stand a thousand mistakes, pivots and failures. Yet, the biggest mistake one can make is to double down on an idea that no longer serves them, solely because they have already invested time and energy into it. Accepting a failed partnership or product launch isn’t a weakness but a strategy. Letting go allows us to find space for new beginnings.   

💡 Keep building, but don’t be afraid to restart and build smarter.

🚀 Until Next Time!

Brought to you by Vlada 

Special thanks to GC Club