Image courtesy: Pexels
From startups to global giants, companies often face challenges when trying to scale in Finland. Whether it’s misunderstanding local market dynamics, underestimating cultural nuances, or struggling to attract top talent, the reasons behind failure are varied—but avoidable.
If you’re planning to expand into Finland, understanding what others did wrong can offer valuable insights—and help you succeed.
Here are five companies that faced challenges scaling in Finland and what their stories can teach you.
1. Jolla
Why They Struggled:
Known for its Sailfish OS, Jolla entered a market dominated by iOS and Android. With limited developer support and resources, Jolla couldn’t build the momentum it needed.
Key Lesson:
Accessing talent and forming the right local connections is essential—but not easy without a deep understanding of the Nordic market.
In Finland, hiring is about more than competitive salaries. Candidates value purpose, autonomy, and work-life balance. If your team isn’t aligned with these values, attracting and retaining top local talent becomes a challenge.
Likewise, building strong local relationships opens doors to critical resources and collaboration opportunities.
2. MediaMarkt
Why They Struggled:
Despite being a retail giant across Europe, MediaMarkt exited Finland after failing to localize its go-to-market strategy—and facing tough competition from domestic players.
Key Lesson:
Finnish consumers expect more than just products—they value sustainability, personalized service, and authentic communication.
To succeed here, you must tailor your messaging, adapt your offering, and tell a story that fits the local mindset.
And in a mature market, differentiating your business through unique value and innovation is critical to standing out.
3. Helmi Games
Why They Struggled:
This mobile game developer couldn’t break through in a saturated market. Without a distinct identity or loyal user base, growth stalled.
Key Lesson:
In competitive industries like gaming, success depends on deep audience understanding and a clear value proposition.
Attracting users is only step one—retaining them requires cultural insight, emotional connection, and continuous engagement.
Knowing what entertains and motivates Finnish audiences is key to sustainable scaling.
4. REDi AI
Why They Struggled:
This AI startup aimed high with advanced tech, but couldn’t secure a strong product-market fit or long-term funding in Finland.
Key Lesson:
While Finland is tech-forward, it has strict privacy, ethics, and compliance expectations—especially when it comes to AI.
Without addressing these proactively, even the most promising innovations may face friction.
In addition, Finland’s smaller market means that to scale successfully, you’ll need a laser-focused strategy, smart local partnerships, and ongoing R&D investments to stay relevant and competitive.
5. Uber (and its early struggles)
Why They Struggled:
In its early days, Uber faced legal hurdles in Finland as its drivers lacked required taxi permits. This led to fines, legal action, and the suspension of its UberPOP service—until new laws were introduced in 2018.
Key Lesson:
Finland’s regulatory environment is clear—and strict, especially in sectors like mobility, healthcare, and tech.
Failing to comply can halt your progress before it begins.
Hiring local legal experts to help you navigate the regulatory landscape from day one can save your business from costly missteps—and give you the freedom to focus on growth.
Final Words
Succeeding in Finland means more than just bringing a great product to market. It requires deep cultural understanding, regulatory compliance, customer insight, and most importantly, the right local leadership.
When your team includes experienced Finnish professionals, you gain immediate advantages:
- Navigating local laws with ease
- Attracting and motivating top local talent
- Building strategies that resonate with the Finnish market
- Forming strong relationships and partnerships
- Scaling your operations sustainably and efficiently
Looking to find the right local leaders to help scale your business in Finland and the Nordics?
Connect with Mikko Knuuttila, CEO of InHunt World, via LinkedIn or email at mikko.knuuttila@inhunt.fi today.
This article was written by InHunt World