We Have Something For You 👀

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!

💥Startups to Watch

Sulapac  | Launched “Sulapac Flow 1.7” biodegradable packaging and signed a U.K. partnership to scale in the U.S.

Fluentia Oy | Named the fastest-growing company in Western Finland by Kauppalehti. Sounds like impressive traction for a local AI services startup.

MoniCardi  | Accepted into European Space Agency Incubator to combine wearable cardiac monitoring with space-grade tech.

📅Events You Can’t Miss

📚Learning Hub

Indie Hackers |  A founder-led community for bootstrapped startups. Features interviews, revenue breakdowns, and a forum for sharing wins, struggles and advice.

The Twenty Minute VC |  Fast, sharp interviews with top venture capitalists and startup founders. Great prep for founders thinking about raising money.

SaaStr |  B2B SaaS knowledge hub. Get top-tier lessons on scaling, sales, and fundraising from founders.

📊Market Trends

Attention to Agri‑Foodtech!   |  Nordic Foodtech VC closed a €40M first fund grower to €80M, signaling strong interest in climate/food tech startups.

Japan–Nordic Collaboration |  EXPO 2025’s Nordic Startup Day in Osaka marks the beginning of deeper Nordic–Japanese startup cooperation in cleantech and impact.

Critical Impact / VC | Nordic Fund Day in Stockholm attracted >€4B in AUM VCs, with cross-border cleantech, energy and foodtech firms gaining traction.

🔎Policy Updates

Family Reunification Rules Tightened  | Effective June 16, spouses (non‑citizens) must be ≥ 21 years old, and protected persons must have 2 years of residency before sponsoring family.

Labour‑Shortage Occupation Rule  |  From June 5, foreign workers in nine designated shortage professions can switch jobs without a new permit. Could boost flexibility for employers and startups.

Permanent Residence Requirements Set to Rise  |  Proposed bill (to take effect Jan 2026) increases required residence from 4 to 6 years, plus Finnish/Swedish language proficiency and work history.

Business Finland Market Explorer Portal Launch  | A redesigned online application goes live June 17 for grants (€5–20k) supporting market research. Apply before June 16 to transition submissions.

🌟 Final Word: Tomorrow Is Never Promised

While we are running around between Google Meets and investor calls, it is easy to forget that it is a privilege to be preoccupied with scaling, fundraising, and roadmaps.

Not everyone gets to chase their vision or build something from scratch. The stress, the deadlines, the endless iterations are the signs that you are in the game.

So take a step back, a deep breath and appreciate the fact that you are here, building something that matters.

🚀 Until Next Month!

Brought to you by Vlada Ermak

Special Thanks to the GC Club