Growth Without Borders - International Talents as Gateway to the World Event in Helsinki showcased how international talent could be crucial for Finnish business expansion.
The event, hosted by the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce and the IMIB network, featured several inspiring speeches, with one of the highlights being a presentation by Shefali Arora, an Indian expatriate who has carved out an impressive career in Finland. Now serving as the director of product lifecycle management and engineering services at Wärtsilä, Arora's journey serves as a testament to how international expertise can drive business success.
In her compelling address, Arora emphasised the importance of embracing new opportunities and learning Finnish, stating that "openness to learning and Finnish language skills are crucial in Finland's increasingly international job market." Her message resonated strongly with attendees, particularly those seeking to establish themselves in the Finnish business landscape.
The event also introduced valuable services from Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), which provides crucial support to SMEs in their internationalisation efforts and partnership building. In Finland, this service is delivered free of charge through a network of 14 specialists, offering invaluable expertise to growing businesses.
A dynamic panel discussion, skilfully moderated by Aicha Manai from Startup Refugees, brought together diverse voices from the business community. The panel included CEO Riikka Hackselius-Fonsén from Punda Global, HR consultant and entrepreneur Niina Kaarilahti-Vahtera from Peopple, Tytti Sirola from Bluet Floating Solutions, and senior researcher Matti Välimäki from E2 Research.
Research presented during the discussion showed that workplace diversity significantly enhances corporate innovation and strengthens cross-cultural communication, which in turn helps companies build local networks for international expansion. Sirola, CEO of Bluet, later praised the organisers for providing fresh perspectives, noting that her company gained valuable insights from the event.
IMIB network, which launched in spring 2024, has already demonstrated promising results through its innovative three-month project format. One such success story comes from technology company Intunex Oy, where international student Diluka Abeysekara participated in an HR development research project.
"We had a diverse team with extensive expertise," Abeysekara enthusiastically shared, "During the project, I learned a great deal about teamwork", she says.
Liaison for student collaboration in Cadmatic's sales team, Taru Heino, found that working with students helped her better structure her own work in sales development. The project aimed to find solutions for sales development and internationalisation.
"Udara brought fresh perspectives by looking at things from the outside, and showed real dedication to the project," Heino reflected, encouraging both students and employers to approach similar projects with an open mind.
The initiative will continue into spring 2025, with new teams of international students taking on company-defined assignments. Students receive support from expert career coaches at the participating universities of applied sciences and can enhance their skills through entrepreneurship and career coaching workshops organised by the IMIB network.
The IMIB network functions under a project financed by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the three implementing universities of applied sciences. The project is coordinated by Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences and co-implemented by Laurea and Metropolia universities of applied sciences between January 2024 and May 2026. The IMIB network serves not only studies and employment but also business life.
The project demonstrates Finland's commitment to fostering a more diverse and globally competitive business environment. As businesses increasingly recognise the value of international perspectives and cross-cultural expertise, initiatives like this Helsinki forum are proving crucial in building bridges between global talent and local opportunities, potentially reshaping Finland's business landscape for years to come.
The network's operations will continue in spring 2025, when new teams formed by international students will take on assignments defined by companies.
