The ’90 Day Finn’ program is currently boosting up its digital activities to help current and future ‘90 day Finns’ learn about Finnish society and connect to Helsinki’s booming tech ecosystem while international travel restrictions put physical meetings on hold. The inductions to Finnish culture and ecosystem will start with a virtual rendezvous in the beginning of March, before their physical trip to Helsinki is now planned in August.
The ongoing initiative invites entrepreneurs, investors, and tech enthusiasts to spend 90 days in Finland, with 15 lucky applicants receiving guided connections to housing, daycare, schools, a working space, and a program to connect them to Helsinki’s tech ecosystem.
“Our aim from the beginning has been to guarantee the selected participants the best possible opportunities to experience life as a Finn, and to integrate them into the local tech scene and business ecosystem. By starting the program virtually now and continuing it on location in August we are able to ensure that the participants can do just that while we comply with the health and safety regulations,” explains Johanna Huurre, Director of Helsinki Business Hub’s Invest In team.
The in-person program was rescheduled to August to fit the needs of the participants and their families. Many of the participants will arrive with a spouse and children, and one of the factors that the selected participants have valued the most is the highly ranked Finnish work-life balance. The start of the school year and the speeding up of the Finnish business life after summer holidays will give both the professionals and their children the opportunity to more easily integrate into Finnish society.
The few extra months were greeted with enthusiasm in one family; they will use this time to learn Finnish.
At the moment, the preparations for different business and free-time events are underway in addition to arranging the practicalities for the participants based on their individual needs: housing, daycare, schools and healthcare. The participants’ needs and goals regarding the program from a business perspective are also being mapped. The ultimate goal for the program is to find ways both the participants and the Finnish tech scene can benefit from each other to create a base for post-pandemic growth and economic recovery.
The co-working space for the participants will be provided in Helsinki by Epicenter. The Country Manager of Epicenter, Riikka Jakovuori explains how Epicenter will make use of the spring and summer to prepare for a smooth landing for the participants: ’’This is a great opportunity to prepare for the arrival of these participants. This slight delay of the program start gives us time to start virtual matchmaking between our member companies and the participants, ensuring them the best possible experience and outcome here in Finland’’.
Those interested in the events and participants’ experiences, can follow the ’90 Day Finn’ program on Helsinki Business Hub’s social media channels and the campaign web pages, where new content will be posted regularly once the participants arrive. Everyone attending the program is also encouraged to share their individual experiences in their own social media accounts using the hashtag #90DayFinn.
To follow the ’90 Day Finn’ program, please visit www.90dayfinn.com and check out Helsinki Business Hub social media channels:
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Want to know more?
Johanna Huurre
Director, Invest in
johanna.huurre@hbh.fi
+358 400 211 251
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