Finland has long been known for its innovation, education, and technological expertise. Yet despite these strengths, the country faces a persistent economic challenge: a vast number of small companies that remain stagnant and fail to scale. While entrepreneurship is widespread, relatively few Finnish companies grow beyond a certain size or make the leap to international markets. This structural issue limits job creation, productivity, and Finland’s competitiveness on the global stage.
In response, a new initiative called Kasvu Group or The Growth Collective (“Kasvu” means Growth” in Finnish) has emerged—an innovative, grassroots effort launched by a coalition of CEOs from successful Finnish companies. Their mission is simple but ambitious: identify high-potential small companies and provide them with the tools, mentorship, and networks they need to scale, innovate, and go global.
Unlike traditional government-driven economic programs, Kasvu Group is entirely led by the private sector. It’s a model of entrepreneurial self-help—seasoned business leaders pooling their experience, connections, and insights to foster the next generation of Finnish success stories.
- Why It Matters
While Finland has thousands of small enterprises, very few grow into medium or large-scale firms. According to economic data, only a small percentage of startups or small businesses make significant revenue or employment gains within five to ten years. Export figures also show that a limited number of firms account for the majority of Finland’s international trade, meaning many potential exporters never get off the ground.
Kasvu Group recognizes that growth is not just about funding—although access to capital is part of the equation. It’s also about mindset, leadership, strategic focus, and the right guidance at the right time. This is where Kasvu Group steps in.
- How Kasvu Group Works
The initiative operates through a structured program where selected mid-sized companies are invited to join growth acceleration cohorts. These cohorts are carefully chosen based on potential, commitment, and industry relevance. Once onboard, these businesses receive:
- Mentorship from top CEOs: Each company is paired with one or more mentors who have experience scaling businesses, navigating international markets, and managing organizational growth.
- Tailored growth plans: The Kasvu Group helps companies identify bottlenecks, set realistic growth targets, and implement strategies for expansion—whether through product development, exports, digitalization, or acquisitions.
- Peer learning: Participating companies also benefit from a network of peers facing similar challenges, fostering collaboration, shared learning, and joint ventures.
- Visibility and investor access: By becoming part of the Kasvu network, small businesses gain exposure to investors, larger companies, and global partners that might otherwise be beyond their reach.
- A Finnish Model for Growth
What makes Kasvu Group especially noteworthy is its collaborative, no-nonsense Finnish approach. It is pragmatic, action-oriented, and driven by people who understand firsthand what it takes to grow a business. It’s not about theory—it’s about doing.
As Kasvu Group continues to expand, it offers a hopeful model for how Finland can unlock the latent potential of its small business sector. With strong leadership, a supportive peer network, and a focus on tangible outcomes, this is one innovation that may well shape the country’s economic future.
Photo: from Kasvuryhmä
