Funding for Success – insight from our Growth Multiplier spring event
The expert speakers and panelists of Boardman Grow’s ”Funding for Success” event shared valuable insights into the dynamic funding landscape and its impact on growth entrepreneurs. Held at Epicenter Helsinki on April 9, this event tackled crucial topics like current market trends in funding and the challenges and opportunities of securing capital for international expansion and new business opportunities.
Here’s a quick look back at some of the highlight of the events. Catch the full recording below to find out what is happening in the Finnish funding market right now, how is the global economic uncertainty affecting the trends, and where can entrepreneurs turn to for funding in this time of turbulence.
Securing the right funding is crucial for scaling any business
The event, moderated by growth entrepreneur and member of Boardman Grow’s board, Jussi Luhtasela, explored the latest industry funding trends, effects of geopolitical turbulence and real-life examples on international expansion. The five speakers and panellists brought their expertise to the stage:
Current trends in the funding market (03:52–29:23)
Juhana Brotherus – Chief Economist at Suomen Yrittäjät
To start the event Juhana Brotherus provided a timely overview of the turbulent funding environment, heavily shaped by global uncertainties and what market trends he sees as concerning and what as hopeful. He shared recent data on the difficulties SMEs and growth companies are experiences in accessing financing and unpacked some of Finland’s policy changes and their effects on the VC and private equity landscape.
Panel: Effects of trends on growth companies (30:00–58:06)
Aki Soudunsaari, CEO of Springvest – Eeva Grannenfelt, Partner at Grannenfelt Finance – Eric Deighton, CFO of Vapaus
The experienced expert panel emphasized the importance of building a well-planned and diversified funding strategy that combines both public and private financing sources. They talked about the different funding option in Finland and abroad, and what kind of instruments are available right now and for what kind of business cases. Entrepreneurs in the audience were also encouraged to make full use of public funding sources and seek expert help or build internal financial competence to successfully navigate the complex funding landscape.
Case: Duunitori’s journey towards international growth (58:58–1:19:51)
Tero Lehtinen, CFO of Duunitori
In his speech Tero Lehtinen highlighted the challenges and strategies involved in funding international growth. He contrasted venture capital and private equity funding approaches, noting that the former suits high-risk, high-growth models, while the latter aligns better with cash-flow-positive, sustainable businesses. Using Duunitori as a case study, he described how the company has expanded across the Nordics through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions, stressing the importance of finding the right funding partner and localizing effectively.
Beyond these insights shared on stage, attendees enjoyed roundtable discussions and a rare opportunity to connect and network with growth leaders from diverse industries.
A special thank you to our partners Business Finland, Springvest, the Technology Industry of Finland, and PwC, who made this event possible.
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