Startup Refugees

Koti
Suomi
Helsinki
Startup Refugees

Supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants in employment & entrepreneurship.

Startup Refugees finds out the needs, skills, and goals of the people who have moved to Finland. We connect them with the right employers, support them in recruitment and skills development, and provide access to a vast network of professionals. We believe that work is the key to integration - and no time should be wasted getting started. Find Startup Refugees on Facebook:

🚀 Startup Refugees Entr

epreneurship Community for newcomers who have participated in our business activities https://www.facebook.com/groups/1095172704179613/
🚀 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100026104493841 ستارت اب ريفيوجيز

Find Startup Refugees on social media:
📌 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startuprefugeesnetwork/
📌 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/startup-refugees/
📌 Twitter: www.twitter.com/startuprefugees/

24/08/2026

Ready to be your own boss? Or at least see what all the fuss is about? 💁

October is treating us to an online course for anyone curious about starting a business in Finland (yea we are in August, look past it...) No business idea yet? Totally fine.

What’s in it for you?:
✨Practical insights into entrepreneurship in Finland
✨Data, sales and marketing tips and tricks
✨AI tools that can actually make your life easier
✨Access to personalized mentoring after the course
✨Flexible evening workshops online via Teams

When & where you might ask?
🗓️ 12–20 October 2026
📍Online
🎟️: Limited seats so register here by 30th of September:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYEFXVA9uOG6m_9yOwfMjGgVEMLRXRtO7Ms3Kl14RzE6Od7w/viewform

Your next boss could be you! 🫵

***
🤝: In collaboration with Suomen Yrittäjäopisto and Suomen Kylät ry
🪙: Co-funded by the EU

14/08/2026

🌍When Oscar Manguy moved from Mexico to Finland in 2019, he left behind the career and life he had built as an expedition guide and outdoor photographer. Starting over in a new country meant embracing uncertainty while creating new opportunities.

✨ Through the Startup Refugees Business Program, Oscar gained the knowledge and mentoring he needed to launch his own business in Finland.

🎥 During the pandemic, instead of waiting for opportunities, he founded 360 North, a media production company specializing in commercial adventure photography and videography.

🌿 Today, Oscar is based in Savonlinna, working with brands to tell stories through adventure while continuing to grow his business.

🔥 His advice? Take the leap and don't give up.
"Building a business requires investment, not just money, but also time, energy and relationships. The more you put in, the more you receive in return."

***

12/08/2026

Meet the community:

🌍 When Elena Arrola moved from Russia to Finland in 2021, she brought years of startup experience, engineering skills and a passion for helping people communicate across cultures. But like many newcomers, she had to start over.

✨ Through Startup Refugees, Elena refined her business idea and found support to take the next step.

💡 In 2022, she launched Chameleo, a platform that helps people develop cultural competence through gamified learning. Inspired by both professional and personal experiences, Elena set out to make cross-cultural communication easier for everyone.

🌎 Today, she's growing Chameleo beyond Finland, finding new opportunities in international markets while building her life in Helsinki.

🔥 Her advice? Think beyond local borders and stay resilient.

💬 "One day you can feel like nothing is working. And then the next day, you're like a phoenix. Keep it up!"

🔗 Learn more about Elena: https://startuprefugees.com/elena-arrola/ & her business: https://edu.chameleo.world

11/08/2026

August is calling… you answering or what?📞 Here's few things up for grabs for our community this month:

1️⃣ Working Life in Finland Training:
Taxes? Agreements? Your rights at work? Finnish workplace communication and all those little things nobody magically knows when starting a career in a new country? We got you.

Join our online training to get the practical info and skills you need to navigate the Finnish job market

📅 17 August 2026, 15:00 to 18:00
📍 Online
🗣️ in Ukrainian
🎟️ Read more and apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdz-sfz9kD7OhSExFJK7qR5caFRvOFvNAsiAmnOVIbs8M9SnA/viewform

––
2️⃣ Professional networking training:
Networking in Finland. How do you do it? Where do you start? And does awkwardly standing next to the coffee machine count? ☕👀

Come learn how to build professional connections, use networking in your job search and pick up our favourite tips and tricks for growing your network in Finland.

📅 Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 13:00 to 14:30
📍 Startup Refugees Office, Sturenkatu 4, Helsinki, 4th floor, Kulttuuritalo
🗣️ in Arabic
🎟️ Read more and apply here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScSsVgwVMMZvydWd-jU1m2p05DjBVaL8lfotZuTOT9iRM3ELg/viewform

–
3️⃣ Job interview training:
Interviews can be stressful enough. We know, we know. So come practise with us!

We will tackle real interview questions, explore body language, share practical tips and get you more familiar with the Finnish recruitment process.

📅 31 August 2026, 15:00 to 17:00
📍 Sturenkatu 4, 00510 Helsinki
🗣️ in Ukrainian
🎟️ Read more and apply here:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdv37nhS4HwmYK1teAjjNzev650PbWwoND-4168HsgQjWLBLw/viewform?usp=send_form

––
4️⃣ IT mentoring:
The Startup Refugees IT Mentoring Program is coming back together with Tieto and Netlight!

If you’re a highly educated refugee or migrant with an IT background building your career in Finland, this one has your name written all over it. You’ll be matched with an experienced IT professional for mentoring. And there’s more 👀 Hackathon!

📅 Mentoring period: 3 September to 29 October 2026
📍 in person (Uusimaa)
🗣️ in English
🎟️ Read more and apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScu0aGkmKqufjz2eok-muJYlHwy_spxWb3InzFGBs4WPkJxJA/viewform?usp=send_form

August is clearly not here to play. Pick your opportunity. Apply. Send it to that friend who needs to see it. Don’t worry, we will be back for more 👩‍💻✨

***
📸: Iiro Immonen

04/08/2026

Applications open NOW 👐

We are starting our back-to-work week with a full-course menu 🍝 Applications are now open for the Startup Refugees IT Mentoring Program for Fall 2026. It is organized in collaboration with our buddies Tieto & Netlight.

This free mentoring program supports highly educated refugees and migrants with an IT background who are looking to build their careers in Finland. 💻

Participants will be matched with experienced IT professionals for one-to-one mentoring, receive career guidance, expand their professional network and of course gain valuable insights into working in the Finnish IT sector.

And for dessert, you may ask? Selected participants will also have the opportunity to take part in a two-day hackathon. 🍰

Who can apply?
✨ Highly educated refugees and migrants with an IT background
✨ Living in the Uusimaa region
✨ Strong English language skills
✨ Not employed full-time

🗓️ Program period: 3 September – 29 October 2026
👩‍💻 Application deadline: 21 August 2026 at 15:00
❗️Read more and register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScu0aGkmKqufjz2eok-muJYlHwy_spxWb3InzFGBs4WPkJxJA/viewform

03/08/2026

We are baaaaack! The Startup Refugees team is slowly waking up from summer holiday slumber🌞

& apparently the phishing scammers have been missing us too. Over the summer, some of you may have received suspicious emails sent in our names. We promise they weren't from us!

A few quick reminders:
🐟 No, our CEO Aicha Manai does not suddenly need Apple gift cards
🔗 No, we are not asking you to click mysterious links
💳 If an email feels weird, rushed or just a little too dramatic, trust your instincts
📞 When in doubt, ask us directly

Also, if you have been waiting to hear back from us, thank you for your patience. Our team is making its way back and catching up with emails, messages and everything else that piled up while we were away. We will get back to you as soon as we can. 🤝

Happy August and may the only fish you catch in your inbox be exciting opportunities, meaningful collaborations and shared wins. 🎣

***
📸: Nora Sayyad

16/07/2026

A friendly reminder from your future business coach: that business idea won't apply to the Entrepreneurship Academy by itself. 😉

Applications for our Entrepreneurship Academy close on 2 August.

This free online program is for aspiring entrepreneurs who have a concrete business idea and are ready to move beyond notebooks, voice notes, and "I've been thinking about it for a while..." 💭

Over 15 weeks, you will test and validate your idea, learn about marketing, sales, financial planning, business development and pitching. ALSO, who does not want to receive guidance from experienced mentors and coaches. 🤔

You will also join a community of people who know exactly what it's like to stare at a business idea and wonder, "Could this actually work?"
The only way to find out is to start. 😉

📅 Program runs from 1 September to 15 December 2026
💻 Online
⏰ Application deadline: 2 August 2026

English application ➡️ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSegMdMTkS7oIR3C8kRpSv0KnHGYdweO8KT7C6qmSRSu1oQrdw/viewform?pli=1

Ukrainian application ➡️ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelHn76G8ntBlbAeJGPmhPCOIAGzkBwij7daAOO_PxzXSs36A/viewform?pli=1

***
🪙: Yksityisyrittäjäin säätiö
📸: Nora Sayyad

24/06/2026

We know. It's June. The sun is out. Nobody wants to think about September 😴

But if you have been sitting on a business idea, waiting for the "right moment" to do something about it, future you might be thankful for a little planning ahead. 😉

Applications are now open for our Entrepreneurship Academy in English and Ukrainian starting this September!!

Over 15 weeks, participants will work on turning business ideas into reality through customer research, testing, marketing, sales, financial planning, business development and pitching. Along the way, you will receive support from business coaches, mentors and a community of fellow entrepreneurs who are figuring things out just like you.

The program is free, fully online and designed for people who are ready to take the next step with a concrete business idea.

📅 Program: 1 September – 15 December 2026
💻 Online
📍 For peops living in Finland
⏰ Application deadline: 2 August 2026

English application ➡️ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSegMdMTkS7oIR3C8kRpSv0KnHGYdweO8KT7C6qmSRSu1oQrdw/viewform?pli=1

Ukrainian application ➡️ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelHn76G8ntBlbAeJGPmhPCOIAGzkBwij7daAOO_PxzXSs36A/viewform?pli=1

***
🪙: Yksityisyrittäjäin säätiö
📸: Oleksiy Kovalenko / Startup Refugees

23/06/2026

📣 TAMPERE, IT'S YOUR TIME!

Have you ever found yourself explaining Finnish bureaucracy, work life, public services or why everyone suddenly disappears to their mökki in July?
Well, we might have a role for you. 👀

Startup Refugees is looking for new Community Leaders in Tampere to help newcomers navigate life in Finland through flexible, community-based civic orientation sessions.

As a Community Leader, you'll share practical information about Finnish society, working life, entrepreneurship and everyday life, helping newcomers access the knowledge and support they need to thrive.

In return, we'll provide comprehensive training, ongoing support and the opportunity to make a real difference in your community.

📍 Location: Tampere
📝 Contract type: On-demand (variable working hours based on the needs of our clients)
💰 Salary: 15€/h
🗓️ Application deadline: 29.07.2026

We are looking for people with strong communication skills, lived experience of Finnish society, excellent English skills and fluency in one of the following languages:

▪ Bengali
▪ Sinhala
▪ Tagalog
▪ Vietnamese
▪ Arabic
▪ Dari/Farsi
▪ Russian/Ukrainian

You'll also get to work closely with Startup Refugees, the City of Tampere and International House Tampere to make integration support more accessible, practical and community-driven.

So if you're passionate about helping others and building stronger communities, we'd love to hear from you. ❤️

Apply here ➡️ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeeyqaZ7CPJhBBU_pu2W-cJvZ6IdIO93mkS7TIzWY1vKc8TTQ/viewform?usp=header

***
📸: Julius Töyrylä

17/06/2026

Meet IKEA Finland, one of the first companies to receive the Refugee-Friendly Employer recognition. 🏆✨

The Refugee-Friendly Employer initiative is led by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and us, Startup Refugees.

At IKEA Finland, creating a better everyday life extends beyond customers to employees and communities. Through the Refugee-Friendly Employer initiative, the company has committed to maintaining a refugee workforce representation of over 1% throughout 2026 while continuing to invest in mentorship, language learning and professional development opportunities. 💬✨

Their commitment reminds us that inclusion doesn't happen by accident. It happens when employers actively create pathways for people to grow, contribute and thrive. 👏

Swipe through to learn why IKEA joined the initiative and what refugee inclusion means to them. ➡️

more ℹ️: https://www.unhcr.org/europe/news/press-releases/refugee-friendly-employers-2026

***

Osoite

SturenKatu 4
Helsinki
00510

Nettisivu

http://www.startuprefugees.com/

Hälytykset

Tiedä ensimmäisenä ja anna meille oikeus lähettää sinulle sähköpostitse uutisia ja promootioita Startup Refugees :ltä. Sähköpostiosoitettasi ei käytetä muihin tarkoituksiin, ja voit perua milloin tahansa.