Helsinki’s ambition is to be an internationally attractive place where businesses, jobs, investments and expertise can all grow. At the same time, Helsinki wants to be a city where companies come up with innovative solutions to global challenges. One of the ways in which Helsinki is marketing the city’s opportunities is the 90 Day Finn programme, which invites international entrepreneurs and investors to come and live in Helsinki for a period of three months. The aim of the programme is to raise awareness of Helsinki as an interesting business environment and leading tech industry hub.
The 90 Day Finn programme is aimed at international investors, entrepreneurs and tech industry executives who could contribute to the sustainable growth of Finland’s business sector. To date, the programme has already received applications from nearly 6,000 people, of whom 13 were selected to participate in the 2022 programme. Hailing from nine different countries, including the United States, Hong Kong and South Africa, the selected participants and their families arrived in Finland at the start of August. What they all have in common is expertise in artificial intelligence and investment operations, and the aim is to provide the participants with an opportunity to learn not only about Finnish society as a potential business location, but also from each other, thus further increasing the effectiveness of the programme.
Participants get to see the benefits of Helsinki as an operating environment
– The myriad of opportunities that Helsinki offers for skilled professionals, entrepreneurs and investors are not yet widely known globally. We, on the other hand, are familiar with the region and can present the participants with opportunities that align with their own goals. We want to provide top professionals in their respective fields with a chance to personally experience Helsinki and its strengths and then decide whether it is the right place for them. In our experience, Helsinki usually leaves a lasting impression on visitors, says Director, Invest in Johanna Huurre from Helsinki Partners.
Helsinki Partners is offering a 90-day relocation package to each expert selected to participate in the programme and their families, which includes a workspace and support for finding a suitable apartment, among other benefits. Living costs, on the other hand, are covered by the participants themselves. In addition to this, Helsinki Partners is organising a wealth of programming for the participants of the 90 Day Finn programme along with networking opportunities with interesting companies and organisations. Several of the 13 participants have already applied for permanent residence permits in Finland.
– It is rare that one’s expectations are not only met, but exceeded. The 90 Day Finn Programme to date has offered a first class ticket to doing business in Finland and appreciating the Finnish lifestyle and culture. The happiness quotient is often spoken about, but what has been even more rewarding to experience is the willingness to collaborate; the sense of security both in trust as well as in safety; the extraordinary access to nature; and the ease of communicating despite not speaking the language yet. We look forward to establishing a subsidiary of our business here, says Catherine
Lückhoff, CEO of 20fifty.
This year marks the second time that the programme is being organised. Of the first 90 Day Finns, two relocated to Finland permanently, establishing two new companies in Helsinki. In addition to them, several of the other participants also continue to actively seek business opportunities in Finland. One of the participants of last year’s 90 Day Finn programme, equity investor Sophie Winwood, recently invested in the Finnish circular economy company Rentle through her employer, Anthemis.
– We’re thrilled to invest in Rentle’s Seed+ round, and we look forward to working closely with Tuomo and his team as they expand and realise their mission to accelerate the sustainable consumption of durable goods, Winwood says.
Helsinki wants to actively attract foreign businesses, entrepreneurs and employees to the city
The City of Helsinki wants to play an active role in attracting foreign businesses, entrepreneurs and employees and helping them settle in Helsinki. Moreover, Helsinki wants to be a City that actively contributes to the tackling of major global challenges. The 90 Day Finn programme contributes to the achievement of both of these strategic objectives. The programme is carried out by Helsinki Partners, a city marketing, investment and talent attraction company owned by the City of Helsinki.
The programme will run until the end of October, and the participants are available for interviews upon request.
For more information on the 90 Day Finn programme, please visit: https://www.helsinkipartners.com/90-day-finn/(Link leads to external service)
News photo: Peter Forsgård / Helsinki Partners
