Finland’s startup scene: Could your next job be here?
Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting Pete — a startup advisor with an international career spanning France, Singapore, and Finland. If you're trying to break into the Finnish startup scene as an international, career changer, or even a returning Finn, this session is a real highlight.
Here’s a deeper recap of the powerful and practical advice Pete shared.
There Is No One-Size-Fits-All Path
Forget rigid application funnels and traditional recruitment models — startups work differently.
Startups often don’t have the time, resources, or even systems to run “official” recruitment processes. That’s why:
🔹 Most startup jobs never get posted.
🔹 Networking and word-of-mouth dominate.
So the trick? Be visible before the job exists.
“In Finland, you only see 10–20% of open roles. In startups? Maybe just 5–10% are ever advertised.”
Just Start Talking to People
Pete’s first move when he returned to Finland in July? He walked into Maria 01, the only hub open during the quiet summer. There, he joined an event for newly arrived internationals — even though he technically wasn’t one.
There, he met someone who changed his trajectory — an Indian guy who didn’t speak Finnish but had survived and thrived in the local job market for 20+ years.
That conversation sparked Pete’s strategy — one that continues to open doors for him today.
“You don’t need to know 100 people. You need to talk to one person, and then another. That’s how it works.”
How to Introduce Yourself at an Event
Feeling awkward? Same.
But here’s Pete’s quick formula — your 15-second pitch that works even if you’re shy, new, or nervous:
Who you are (Name + origin)
What you’ve done (A clear skill set or area of expertise)
What you’re looking for (Freelance gigs? Internship? Full-time role?)
“You can say: “Hi, I’m Mariam from France. I’ve worked in digital marketing, mostly SEO and content strategy. I’m looking to work with B2C companies expanding into French-speaking markets.”
That’s all it takes. Short, sharp, and real.”
But I’m an Introvert…”
Same. Pete too. And most people he’s worked with in startups aren’t natural extroverts either.
“I’m not a natural-born salesperson. I’m not in executive search. But I learned to talk to people. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be employed.”
So how do you get around it?
Pick the right events — small, topic-focused, friendly
Volunteer or host — easier to talk when you have a role
Ask simple questions like “What brought you here today?” or “What do you work on?”
Where to Find Startup Events in Finland
This one came up again and again — and we all agreed: there’s no central event hub yet. 😅
But here’s where to look:
Startup & Innovation Hubs and co-working spaces: Maria 01 (Helsinki), Epicenter (Helsinki), A Grid (Espoo, Aalto University), Startup Sauna (Espoo), FiVR Spaces (Helsinki),
Regional Business Development Agencies in Finland: Startup Tampere, Business Oulu, Turku Business Region, Business Helsinki etc.
Eventbrite — search for “startup,” “tech,” “innovation,” “pitching”
LinkedIn — follow local VCs, hubs, accelerators
University and student-led startup communities — Think Company (Helsinki), Aaltoes (Espoo) etc.
Accelerator and incubator programs - Kiuas (Espoo), Helsinki Incubators, Startup100 etc.
Events like Slush, Arctic15, Dash, and Startup Grind are also fantastic for exposure and serendipitous meetings.
“What If I Don’t Want to Work Full-Time?”
Great! You don’t have to.
Pete highlighted freelancing and project-based work as fantastic ways to enter the ecosystem:
Use platforms like Ukko.fi or Light Entrepreneur by OP to start invoicing
Offer to work with multiple startups at once
Suggest a trial period or part-time scope if budget is tight
“Sometimes it’s easier to get paid as a freelancer than as an employee. And it can lead to more stable work later.”
Final Words of Advice
To sum it up, Pete dropped three truth bombs we all need to hear:
Don’t wait for a perfect moment. Just start.
Don’t try to fit in. Instead, be clear about what you offer.
Don’t chase job ads. Chase conversations.
About Pete Karumo
Pete is a startup strategist with 20+ years of experience across France, Singapore, and Finland. He’s worked in and with startups across multiple industries — from early-stage ventures to scale-ups — and knows first-hand how to navigate international job markets as both an insider and outsider.
Originally from Finland, Pete spent over a decade abroad and returned with fresh eyes on how the local startup ecosystem works.