Startup Refugees

Session 8 of RISE was all about putting recruiters in the hot seat! 💬 How much have you thought about what makes you stand out in the sea of job applications? 🤔 How do you catch the eye of recruiters in Finland? 🇫🇮 Well, we just got some tips straight from the expert, Sonja Höynälä, an HR Expert at Elektrobit! In this power-packed session, we dug into: 🔑 Pro tips for standing out: it's not just about the qualifications, it's about how you present them! 💪 The silver lining – Not selected? No problem! Learn how even a ‘no’ can bring BIG benefits, like expanding your professional network, refining your CV, and gaining priceless experience. 🌱✨ Got it! Here's a more straightforward and casual version: To everyone working towards their career goals in Finland: we see you, we got your back, and we are here to RISE together (did you see what we did there 😏) What’s your tip on standing out, do let us know ⬇️

Christmas Market season is coming in strong 🎁✨ On December 12th-13th, Startup Refugees, Tribe Tampere, Platform6 Startup House and Pirkanmaan Yrittäjät ry are bringing a pop-up Christmas market to the heart of Tampere at Tullintori! 🎄✨ Come join us as we dive into the stories behind newcomer entrepreneurs and their amazing products 🤩✨ You get to shop everything from sustainable jewelry and hand-crafted art to unique gifts that will stand out this holiday season. You’ll hear how these entrepreneurs, many of whom are newcomers to Finland, are turning their passions into businesses! It’s not just about shopping—it’s about supporting the journey of these talented entrepreneurs. Plus, it’s a great chance to finally find THAT holiday gift for someone special, or even treat yourself 😉 Read more about the event and entrepreneurs 👇

5th Mentoring Program by Startup Refugees is now wrapped! 👏  What a day at the Startup Refugees Mentoring Program closing event, made possible through an amazing collaboration with Netlight and Tietoevry. The representatives from Tietoevry, Netlight and Startup Refugees kicked off an afternoon full of energy! ✨ Mentees and mentors from Netlight, Tietoevry, and others shared stories that were insightful, moving, and yes, sometimes pretty funny too 😂. Companies like SOK Digital Development joined in on the stage to share exciting opportunities, sparking loads of curiosity and lively chats. Let’s not forget, certificates were handed out to our mentees, coffee and snacks kept everyone going, and we ended with a big group photo to mark the moment.  🫶 A huge thank you to Tietoevry, Netlight, and all the mentors and mentees who made this program such a success. What a way to celebrate! 🍾✨ **** 📸 : Iiro Immonen

This week, our Helsinki office was full of excitement as we hosted an event for our IT professionals community!  🫶 We welcomed Sharetribe and the inspiring Kinga Koterska (she/her), along with TechClass and their visionary CEO Farhad Eftekhari. ✨ They shared invaluable insights on breaking into the tech industry and their personal success stories in Finland. Participants also got insider tips on navigating recruitment processes, connected with peers, and engaged in a Q&A session with recruiters. 💡 A huge shout-out to Sharetribe and TechClass for their incredible contributions, and a special thank you to our amazing IT community members for making this event an unforgettable experience! ❤️ *** 💸: TT SÄÄTIÖ

We didn’t win this time, but honestly? We are still feeling like winners. 💪 Startup Refugees was a finalist for the ‘’Most Humane Working Life Action” award at the HumanPower 24 Gala. 🪄✨ The gala is happening as we speak, November 21st, at Pikku-Finlandia in Helsinki, and we couldn’t be prouder (yes, we’re totally live-posting right now 😏). & being recognized alongside so many inspiring organizations and companies is something we’re super proud of. The night is still young and packed with powerful stories, great conversations, and a reminder of why we do what we do. Sure, we didn’t bring home the trophy, but we will leave with full hearts! Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this wild ride with us! We are more motivated than ever to keep pushing for a better work life for everyone. 🫶 & You know where to find us, when you want to be part of something bigger. Now, back to work—there’s plenty more to do. Onward and upward! 🙌 #humanpower24

Job seeking is a journey… YOU READY? This week's RISE session was all about breaking barriers and opening doors!🚪 We dug into the realities of job hunting in Finland, focusing on the challenges faced by highly educated migrants. We were so pumped to have two incredible guest speakers with us, Milena Piippo, Project Manager at Luova Työmaa & Samuli Viitasaari, Digital Marketing Specialist at Design Inspis. Together, we discussed everything from navigating cultural differences to making your CV stand out. ✨ We’ll let you in on the points –  little something to get you thinking too: 👉 The similarities and differences in job-seeking experiences between Finns and migrants. 👉 Tips for building your professional brand and network. 👉 Real talk about resilience and mindset during the job search. The session ended on a motivating note with these wise words from Samuli: "No matter the twists and turns of job seeking, it remains just that—a process of seeking a job. It does not define your worth or how successful you are as a person." 💪

Missed our appearance on TE-palvelut’s broadcast in Uusimaa? No worries! Startup Refugees was on TE-palvelut Uusimaa LIVE. Our awesome Community Coordinator & IT Specialist, Mustafa Aal-sahek, talked about our mission, answered questions on employment and shared tips on juggling professional life in Finland 👌✨ Catch the recording and see how we’re supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and other migrants. 📺 Watch it here: https://lnkd.in/dbTakcC4

It came to an end, but wow, what a journey! ✨ A massive thank you to everyone who joined us for the Creatives Showcase x HIAA Fest at the Helsinki City Museum! We had four epic days celebrating art, creativity, and community. From mind-bending exhibitions and captivating performances to our vibrant Pop-Up Market, the whole experience was over and beyond 🎨✨ The energy was unreal and so many great connections were made – how about the turn-out? Simply chef’s kiss. 😗👌 we couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you who showed up and shared your energy. 🙌💛 Check out some of our favorite moments and relive the buzz! And don’t sleep on what’s next—we’ve got more events and showcases coming your way. 🗺️ Heads up, art and craft lovers! Our Arts & Crafts Market is making its way to Oulu next, so keep your attention sharp for the announcements. You won’t want to miss it! ✨ 🫶 Big thank you to: HIAA - Helsinki International Artists' Association ry - for co-organizing and Helsinki City Museum for the venue. Also, big up to the experts who gave their time and shared their valuable insights in the portfolio preview session: Fanny Haga, Chrystal Giam & Felipe Gasnier. Stay tuned for more HIAA - Helsinki International Artists' Association ry and Startup Refugees events coming your way. Till then, keep creating, keep connecting and let’s keep making art 🎨 *** 📸: Pola Laamanen 📸: Luca- Bogdan Grigorescu 🪙: Alfred Kordelinin säätiö / Alfred Kordelin foundation.

Ready to turn your entrepreneurial ideas into reality? Join us at Äänehub in Äänekoski (or online) on November 21st, 17:00–19:00 for an inspiring evening about the opportunities of rural entrepreneurship and digitalisation in Northern Central Finland.  🌍 This event is part of a SISU Project and will feature insights from Joni Laitila, the owner of Grillroom, sharing his entrepreneurial journey, as well as Aktiivipoika Tatu, who’ll dive into how digital tools can open up new possibilities for rural businesses. After the talks, stick around for a hands-on workshop where you can explore your skills and network with other local entrepreneurs.  ✨ Bonus!✨ The event will also launch a new SISU training package, designed to provide support and resources for anyone interested in or planning to pursue entrepreneurship throughout 2025.  Want to join? Just make sure to register: https://lnkd.in/e9tDc5n5 📅 When?:  November 21st, 17:00–19:00   📍 Where?:  Äänehub, Äänekoski (or online)   👥 Who’s it for?:  Anyone interested in entrepreneurship in Northern Central Finland! This is your chance to get inspired, share ideas, and connect with like-minded people! ✨ *** #SISUbusiness #Saarijärvi #Kannonkoski #Karstula #Kinnula #Kivijärvi #Kyyjärvi #Pihtipudas #Viitasaari #Äänekoski

Time for RISE, this time at our NEW office! 🔥 The session's theme? ‘’Wellbeing During the Job Seeking,’’ in collaboration with the wonderful team from MIELI Suomen Mielenterveys ry – MIELI Mental Health Finland 🧠 & let us tell you, it was amazing! We got some real eye-openers on how much mental health impacts the job-hunting process 🤝 We’d love to let you in on the topics we pondered upon: 👉 What mental health truly means and why it’s essential 👉 How taking care of our mental wellbeing impacts confidence, focus, and resilience during a job search 👉 Practical tips to stay motivated, manage stress, and boost mental strength while looking for work The best part? Together, we shared strategies to stay balanced and motivated even when the search gets tough. Participants left full of that JOB HUNT ENERGY & with new skills to face the ups and downs of what it brings. 💪✨