By Miia Iisakkila

The City of Helsinki promotes entrepreneurship as well as employment in the Metropolitan Area by two new services. Helsinki Think Company and NewCo Factory assist in developing a good business idea into an enterprise.

Helsinki Think Company – meeting place and communal working place

Since the spring, those interested in entrepreneurship have a new meeting place in the city centre. Helsinki Think Company enables students, researchers, entrepreneurs and those considering entrepreneurship to network. It’s easy just to pop into the street-level premises, which are managed by the University of Helsinki and the City of Helsinki.

The services are free of charge and open to everyone. The programme contains anything from theme events to training and from information sessions to workshops. Whenever the premises are open there is a host team giving the visitors information. “If need be we direct the visitor to the right place, for example to EnterpriseHelsinki,” says Ella Keski-Panula, who is a team member. The light working place and the kitchen, where you may bring your own snack, promote coming up with ideas.

Entrepreneurship is worthwhile

EnterpriseHelsinki, which is a service centre for entrepreneurs, is responsible for the activities on behalf of the City of Helsinki. Managing Director Timo Onnela hopes that the meeting place will bring about a new kind of enterprises which are capable of international growth. The research of the top university offers a good basis for this. Entrepreneurship has become a career alternative worth considering in that a great part of new jobs are created in small and medium-sized growth enterprises.

Others participate in the co-operation as well, for example Helsinki Business and Science Park (HBSP), Helsinki Innovation Services (HIS), IP Finland and 99Ventures.

Helsinki Think Company, Vuorikatu 5
Open weekdays 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Tel. 09 191 40883/050 319 9624
www.helsinkithinkcompany.fi

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NewCo Factory helps enterprises to grow faster

NewCo Factory is a new service for those who have come up with a good business idea, those wishing to become a partner and those who have started up an enterprise. Its virtual community and incubator functions speed up the beginnings of enterprises capable of international growth.

In the virtual community you can introduce yourself and look for partners in co-operation. The service is free of charge and open to everyone. The business incubator comprises training and networking events, workshops and individual guidance. You can apply for a one-year incubator that is liable to charge by registering yourself in the web service and booking an appointment with a business advisor. It’s possible to get an allowance for expenses from the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment.

EnterpriseHelsinki, which is the City’s service centre for entrepreneurs, is responsible for the activities of NewCo Factory. The aim is to promote entrepreneurship as well as employment in the Metropolitan Area.

NewCo Factory,
Aleksanterinkatu 16–18, Courtyard, 3rd floor.
www.newcofactory.fi

Translated by Elisabeth Lampikoski

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