Kohesio: discover EU projects in your region

project info
Start date: 1 January 2023
End date: 30 June 2026
funding
Fund: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Total budget: 539 364,00 €
EU contribution: 215 746,00 € (40%)
programme
Programming period: 2021-2027
European Commission Topic
European Commission Topic

Helsinki Region Softlanding Services for Startups

The goal is to create a world-class competence center in the capital region, to which foreign growth companies bring the necessary addition with new innovations. The programme focuses on supporting international start-up companies in settling in the capital region and thereby strengthening the skillset of the capital region. The programme serves companies that are eligible for financing and ready to expand and grow fast, but still need public support to get off the ground. In the programme, a new operating method and model is created to produce international growth companies in the capital region efficiently and help companies become attached to the local innovation and business ecosystem. Companies are directed to accelerators, incubators, hubs and other innovation centers by organizing e.g. networking opportunities and connecting actors in concrete manner. In the programme, activities are implemented in a controlled, measured and targeted manner so that the intentions are clear for all actors. The client companies will be engaged closely into the development process. The personnel in Helsinki works in close cooperation with the project personnel in Espoo and Vantaa. The purpose is to establish a joint team between these three cities. This contributes to the efficiency of operations, e.g. from a communication and customer point of view. The idea is that the team works together in all three cities, thereby ensuring that the interests of all applicant parties are equally realized and that the team knows how to take into account the needs that arise at any given time. The project team not only builds a service portfolio, but also advises companies when the service or information needed by the establishing company cannot be found on the electronic platform being developed or the company otherwise wants to talk to an expert. Customer orientation and continuous improvement of the model is ensured through practical advisory work. Methodologically, the programme focuses on developing a new operating model of business services by utilizing existing business incubators, services and networks. The programme is implemented in close cooperation with a network of partners, which are organizations abroad that serve Finland's vitality and growth (the commercial missions of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Business Finland representatives, the Finncham network, Helsinki Partners in foreign events and the Nordic Innovation House network) and organizations that support growth entrepreneurship operating in the capital region (Slush, Arctic15, Health Incubator Helsinki, EdTech Hautomo Helsinki, Urban Tech Helsinki, campus incubators, XR Center, ESA BIC and other A-Grid operators, Maria01, FiBAN, FVCA, Business Finland, Migri, banks, Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce, VTT etc.). By combining existing activities new way, we aim for a significant qualitative and quantitative change in the arrival of foreign growth companies in the capital region. The pro coordinates activities by channeling the incoming flow of companies, implementing the necessary softlanding measures (startup permit, establishing a company, premises, financing, etc.) and directing them to suitable growth locations in the capital region through effective softlanding acceleration. In addition, the services produced by the cities' various industries are connected to the service concept (e.g. permit services, plots of land, test platforms, etc.). The purpose is also to bring information produced by the city's service units (e.g. customer and traffic flows, infrastructure, English early childhood education and teaching) to the use of companies in accordance with the principles of open data in these three cities. The programme will provide new operating models based on digital solutions to support the entry of growth companies into the area. The project also includes events carried out abroad to significantly increase the project base in cooperation with the partners.

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