Start-Up Plus is a personal, free service that helps new entrepreneurs grow their business and ensure its profitability. The experienced experts will give concrete proposals for measures to develop the company’s operations.
The focus is on the entrepreneur’s sales and marketing know-how. An expert will assess the company’s current situation and suggest ways for improving its operations.
Who is the service for?
You can apply for the Start-Up Plus service if you meet the following criteria:
- You live in Helsinki.
- You have started your business operations using start-up money or while on unemployment benefits (you have your own business ID).
- You have been in business for at least three months.
- You have not previously participated in the Start-Up Plus service.
What does Start-Up Plus include?
The service includes an initial review, a meeting with an expert, a development plan and an option for further advisory services. The service is provided by private service providers. The implementation method of Start-Up Plus depends on factors such as the service language and whether the service is provided face-to-face or remotely.
1. Initial assessment
The service provider will contact you within two weeks after Helsinki Employment Services have processed your application. The initial review is implemented as an interview or with advance assignments, for example. After the initial review, you will agree on a meeting time together.
2. Meeting with an expert
The objective of the meeting is to find the best-suited methods for developing your business operations and entrepreneurial capabilities. The focus is on increasing sales and marketing competence.
An expert will review the following themes from the perspective of your company:
- products and sales channels
- market situation
- the client’s purchase process
- sales goals: plans and calculations, monitoring results
- profitability of sales and pricing
- CRM and customer acquisition
- marketing plan
- prerequisites and opportunities for profitable growth
- sales and marketing skills, need for potential external resources.
In addition to these themes, the expert can review other factors related to the profitability of your business. The meeting will last at least 1.5 hours.
3. Development plan
The expert will compile a sales and marketing development plan for your company. The plan summarises your company’s current situation and depicts the development areas of your sales and marketing operations.
4. Option for further advisory services
If you wish, you can agree on 1–4 further free appointments, depending on your situation. The topics of these advisory sessions will be planned together in advance.
How can I apply for the Start-Up Plus service?
You can apply for the service by filling in an electronic application form, starting 1 April 2025. For more information about the Start-Up Plus service, please contact the experts of Helsinki Employment Services at starttiraha@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program) .
The Helsinki Employment Services will decide on ordering the service after receiving and processing your application.
How can I choose my service provider?
The City of Helsinki Employment Services order the Start-Up Plus services from the following service providers. You are free to choose one best suited to you. Please note that Arvoverkko Oy and Evida & Co only offer remote services.
Visit the service providers’ presentation pages:
Accelerando Oy(Link leads to external service)
Arvoverkko Oy(Link leads to external service)
Evida & Co(Link leads to external service)
Pro Growth Consulting Oy(Link leads to external service)
Taitotalo(Link leads to external service)
Y4 Works Oy(Link leads to external service)
Entrepreneurs’ experiences
“It’s great that new entrepreneurs can get this kind of service and help. And it’s amazing that I didn’t even have to pay for it! I got a clear plan of action for my future steps, so thank you!”
“An extremely important service for an entrepreneur just starting out. I got help with the exact situation and problems that occurred during the service. The service gave me essential help for moving forward.”
“This was sorely needed – I had already thought about giving up on entrepreneurship altogether.”