Startup Refugees was founded in 2015 after 32 000 asylum seekers arrived in Finland, revealing untapped potential among newcomers as employees and entrepreneurs. Many face barriers such as limited networks, resources, and knowledge. With this in mind, the organisation supports employment, skills development and entrepreneurship, aiming to help newcomers integrate quickly into the Finnish labour market and society.
Who benefits
The main beneficiaries of the organisation’s work are migrant newcomers, for whom it has facilitated connections with employers, provided funding, and organised consulting and training. In addition, employers also benefit directly by gaining access to a motivated and skilled workforce through the organisation.
How it works
The organisation’s work started as a programme but has continued as an established non-profit association with several paid employees. Its work currently relies mainly on project-based funding. The organisation has 2 main approaches to supporting the employment of newcomers:
First, it collects newcomers’ profiles in its ‘Match’ database and uses this information to connect employers with suitable candidates. The organisation coordinates the matching process both before and after recruitment: it contacts companies, searches for open positions, introduces and interviews applicants, and maintains contact with those who find employment through the service. A key factor in the model’s success is the organisation’s extensive network of public and private sector partners, companies, and individuals.
Second, the organisation provides support for starting a business in Finland and offers skills development for everyone willing to develop their skills or progress in their career. It offers grants for newcomer entrepreneurs and organises entrepreneurship courses, workshops, training modules, small‑group business coaching, and training sessions for organisations. In addition, the association provides, for example, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion and ‘Working Life in Finland’ training sessions and coaching for organisations, companies and municipalities.
- Start date
- 9 Sep 2015
- Project locations
- Finland
- Project website
- Startup Refugees
- Topic
- Employment and skills
Results
Startup Refugees creates between 100 and 350 job opportunities for migrants each year. By 2024, nearly 10 years after it was founded, it had provided services to over 10 000 migrants. As a result, more than 2 200 employment contracts have been concluded, and 15 000 migrants have participated in training sessions, mentoring programmes and workshops. Approximately 135 businesses have been established, 1 300 entrepreneurs have been trained, and businesses have received funding of approximately €100 000.
Evaluation
The results achieved by Startup Refugees indicate that the organisation has been able to support migrant employment and entrepreneurship in a meaningful way. The number of job opportunities created each year, along with the employment contracts and completed business courses, suggests that the organisation’s matching model and training activities are effective for its target group. According to its 2024 action report, the organisation continues to expand its outreach and attract a wider network of jobseekers, partners, and supporters. In 2023, Startup Refugees also won its category in the European Enterprise Promotion Awards.
In the 2024 action report, a key ‘area for improvement’ identified is the technical development of the Match platform.
Funding and resources
The work of the organisation is funded by public project grants, grants from private foundations, and direct contributions from companies. In 2024 Startup Refugees had 15 ongoing projects, several of which were funded by the European Union: three were financed through ESF+, one by the ELY Centres together with the EU, one by Erasmus+, and one by Interreg. Some projects received national public funding from STEA (the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations) and the Ministry of Education and Culture.