International growth – support for exports, networks, and talent

Internationalisation and entering new markets require sufficient resources and preparation. A company should be able to present itself and its products in English at minimum. Its website should also be available in English, and there should be a clear idea of which product or service will be offered in the new market.

In addition, companies need to consider practical aspects such as logistics, payment processes, political risk, after-sales service, customer feedback, and complaint handling. These should all be planned and resourced in advance.

We have the expertise and experience to help companies sharpen their export readiness. Through our networks, we also provide opportunities to join various export training programmes.

A wide range of public funding is available for export and international growth – both nationally and internationally. In particular, developing markets may also offer public investment funding opportunities.

We actively follow different funding sources and provide support with funding applications.

Learn more about our funding advisory services.

We have compiled an overview of key funders and their financing instruments in the Kansainvälinen Savolainen funding guide – currently available in Finnish only.

Through the publicly funded Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), which operates in over 50 countries, we help companies access market information and find local partners. The network’s experts in Finland also provide legal advice related to international trade. Read more about EEN.

International professionals can strengthen your company’s international trade, customer relations, and early steps toward global growth.

Business Finland’s guide to international recruitment offers practical instructions for hiring, onboarding, and handling official matters. Read more

Instructions for hiring international professionals can also be found on the Job Market Finland (Työmarkkinatori) website. Read more

Work in Finland is a national advisory service that provides companies with guidance on recruiting international talent, employment and permit processes, and relocation to Finland. Read more

EURES (European Employment Services) is a European cooperation network and public service that helps employers and jobseekers connect across Europe. Read more

International students can bring fresh perspectives and valuable skills to your company, for example through internships or thesis projects. Their expertise and new ideas can help your business develop its operations and strengthen international competitiveness. At the same time, you gain an opportunity to connect with future professionals and build global networks.

Student collaboration with XAMK.

Aalto University, University of Helsinki, LUT University (MUC) also offers course projects and thesis cooperation.

We share opportunities to participate in international trade fairs and conferences, often through our partner networks. For selected events, we coordinate joint stands ourselves.

Targeted and well-prepared fact-finding trips and roadshows, including B2B meetings, are an effective way to gain market insights and connect with potential customers and partners. We use our networks and various project-based funding instruments to organise these activities.

Target markets are selected based on the shared interests and needs of companies in our region. In recent years, the focus has been on the green transition and technology sectors.

We actively host show-how visits for potential international customers, buyers, and suppliers, working closely with our networks. These visits give local companies the opportunity to showcase their products and services and meet potential clients and partners face to face. In recent years, we have welcomed business delegations from countries such as Spain, Russia, Canada, Montenegro, and Japan.

We are also happy to support your company if you are expecting international guests who may be interested in exploring more of what our region has to offer.