Finland lures Indian talent

India has the highest number of start-ups and Finland is supporting the ones that have potential, by offering investments and even residency permits. “India has the largest number of start-ups and business,” acknowledges Kimmo Lähdevirta, Finnish Ambassador to India. “And Business Finland, for the first time, has organised a Polar Bear pitching event in Delhi in association with Kerala Start-up Mission. The talent here is amazing”.

During the Polar Bear pitching event, eight Indian start-ups from Kerala showcased their work, while pitching in ice-cold water. The winner, who is into drone manufacturing called Fuselage Innovation, will take part in the main event in Oulu in Finland on 27 February.
“Bringing this unique Finnish concept to India feels like a perfect match – it blends the best of Nordic innovation with the drive and energy of Indian start-ups,” he added. “Events like this are all about building connections, exchanging ideas and opening doors for start-ups to thrive”.

India and Finland, strong trade partners, have bilateral trade touching $3 billion. “There are about $4 billion investments from Finland to India and about $1.5 billion from India to Finland.  And, these figures are increasing. Perhaps the most important sector for trade and investments has been IT, because we have companies like Nokia here, employing some 17,000 people, if not more, in manufacturing in Chennai and research & development in Bengaluru,” the ambassador added.

 Talent boost

Finland is also offering Indians work visas and right to permanent residence. True, a migration and mobility partnership hasn’t been signed yet, but it is expected to happen in due course. “There is an increasing interest in Indian students to study in Finland, particularly sciences and we would like to see more Indian students registering for University education,” Lähdevirta added. At present, there are over 2,000 Indian students studying in Finland.

Recognising India as a major source of international students, researchers and workers, Finland has identified it as a priority for the Talent Boost programme. “India is one of the target countries for our Talent Boost programme, which aims at attracting students to Finnish universities and other institutions; it also attracts experts to Finnish companies,” Lähdevirta affirmed.