- Estimated duration: 30 minutes
Modules
Introduction
1. South Karelian Entrepreneurial Mindset Training Course
2. South Karelia Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Introduction
3. Resource Guide
4. Related articles
1. South Karelian Entrepreneurial Mindset Training Course
This Course aims to help students cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset at an entry-level to change how they approach other coursework and identify opportunities. This course will be an asynchronous, self-led course conducted through a series of modules based on readings, videos, podcasts, and workshops.
Students do not necessarily need to have the desire to be a founder or entrepreneur to take this course, as it is designed to give them entrepreneurial skills to utilize in daily life, jobs, and courses. By the end of the course, students will be able to take a more entrepreneurial approach to life and studies. This is done by providing students with a hands-on opportunity to develop soft skills like problem identification, problem-solving, planning, open-mindedness, creativity, and self-starting. By the end of the course, students should have the skills needed to pursue their own entrepreneurial journey as well as access to the right resources to aid them along the way.
Core Learning Goals
- Understanding what it means to have an entrepreneurial mindset [characteristics, qualities, traits] and understanding that anyone can use an entrepreneurial mindset, regardless of ambition, to become a founder
- Ability to apply this entrepreneurial mindset to daily life & studies: using modules, students will practice employing different entrepreneurial traits through mindset workshops
- Tangible takeaways and reference points based on mindset workshops
- Knowledge of other ecosystem resources, how to access them, and when to use each of them
2. South Karelia Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Introduction
Introduction to South Karelia
Industry Overview
South Karelia is considered one of the most important growth centers in Finland. The Forest Industry is a major sector in South Karelia, contributing to high exports from the region. Southeastern Finland is the location of Europe’s most significant forest industry cluster, with the highest concentration of the industry being in South Karelia. This includes UPM and Stora Enso, two major Finnish paper companies. The region has also made major developments in the bioeconomy with the world’s first bio-refinery being established in Lappeenranta in 2015. Other major players in the industry include developments in energy technology, electrical engineering, chemical technology, and more.
Learn More Here
https://liitto.ekarjala.fi/en/statistics-and-information/
https://www.investinlpr.fi/en/industry/forest-industry-hub
Resources
3. Resource Guide
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| LUTES | LUTES is a non-profit Entrepreneurship Society based at LUT and LAB University with over 500 members. This student-led organization promotes entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial mindset development. LUTES serves the regional entrepreneurship ecosystem through its events, community, network, and programs. Learn more. |
| Etelä-Karjalan Yrittäjät Ry | Etelä-Karjalan Yrittäjät Ry (South Karelia Entrepreneurs Association) is a business organization that works to build a stronger entrepreneurial culture in South Karelia. They work to improve the conditions for the profitable operation of small and medium-sized companies and entrepreneurs in the region by being an active and influencing member of the community. Their mission is to be the voice of South Karelian companies. They have a network of almost 2000 members. Joining as a member can give you access to various services including network access, legal advice, and more. Learn more. |
| Business Mill | Business Mill is a business incubator supports businesses through all stages of the business cycle (idea, startup, growth, renewal). They advise, support, and guide entrepreneurs with their free services. They can assist with things like creating a business plan and operations for a business idea, building a team, finding funding, and more. Learn more. |
| Wirma Yrityspalvelut | Wirma Yrityspalvelut is a non-profit department in the City of Lappeenranta. Wirma helps aspiring entrepreneurs establish a company and local entrepreneurs with development and internationalization. Wirma provides various services including advising and supporting aspiring entrepreneurs, startup companies, and operating companies. Wirma also assists companies with relocating to the Lappeenranta region. Learn more (Page is in Finnish but can be automatically translated through the Google Chrome browser). |
| KEHY | KEHY offers free business services to entrepreneurs in the Imatra, Ruokolahti, and Rautjärvi region of South Karelia. KEHY provides assistance to entrepreneurs and companies in various stages of the business cycle, from an aspiring entrepreneur with an idea, to an already established company looking to develop. They have a network of experts and specialists to help with any business situation. KEHY also provides assistance and support to companies looking to relocate to the Imatra region. Learn more. |
| Jamie Hyneman Center | The Jamie Hyneman Center (JHC) a prototyping lab located at LUT University campus. The lab connects students, LUT research, and companies for problem-solving projects. The JHC has a variety of tools and machines to utilize for prototype building and testing. This includes metal, paint, wood, and electronics workshops. Learn more. |
| Fiber-X | Fiber-X is a bio-based solutions developer and professional piloting and training service provider. They are an innovation incubator for bioindustry product development. This company performs pilots and creates biomaterials and natural biochemicals from agricultural waste fibers and industrial side streams. Some examples of pilot testing are chemical and material trials, process equipment and sensor trials, fiber treatments, and more. Their facility located in Lemi, Finland has many machines with highly flexible processes and process specialties to meet demanding testing and piloting requirements. Fiber-X has trained over 1000 engineers, specialists, and sales personnel from machine manufacturers, and chemical and packaging companies. Learn more. |
| Business Finland | Business Finland is a public organization under the Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy. They provide various services to startups including assistance with finding funding, programs and networks, market research and opportunities, and international growth. Learn more. |
| Idearace | Idearace Lappeenranta is the biggest business idea competition in South Karelia. Idearace is a pitch competition in which the finalists participate in a three-week coaching program to develop their idea and pitch. In the 2023 competition, the winners with the best idea will be awarded 5,000 EUR in funding. Learn more. |
4. Related articles
- “European Venture Capital Statistics: Finnish Startups Attract Twice as Much Funding as Most European Counterparts” https://paaomasijoittajat.fi/en/ie_2020_en/
- “The funding of the Finnish startups broke records again” https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/business/21409-the-funding-of-the-finnish-startups-broke-records-again.html
- “Resources. How to set up and start business in Finland” https://finrepo.fi/en/resources
- “Stories”- Entrepreneurs of Finland https://entrepreneursoffinland.fi/stories/
- “Entrepreneurship in Finland”https://finrepo.fi/en/entrepreneurship-in-finland
- “The Nordic Startup Boom – What’s to Come in 2023?” https://www.eu-startups.com/2023/03/the-nordic-startup-boom-whats-to-come-in-2023/