Entrepreneurship Event in Leppävaara encouraged students to explore entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship can seem complex or difficult to approach, especially when the practical aspects of running a business are still unfamiliar. The Sprout to Bloom – Entrepreneurship Exploration event, held at the Leppävaara campus, aimed to lower the threshold for students to take their first steps on an entrepreneurial journey.

The event featured Laurea’s key partners, Eezy Kevytyrittäjät, Nordea, and Varma. Students also had the opportunity to meet representatives from Espoo Regional Enterprise Agency.

The event was open to all students interested in entrepreneurship, especially international students exploring it as a possible career option. Throughout the evening, participants were encouraged to take a step-by-step approach to entrepreneurship. A business can be developed gradually and expanded as experience grows.

During the event, students had the opportunity to explore different entrepreneurship topics with experts. Information was available on practical aspects of starting a business, including self-employed persons’ pension insurance (YEL), financial planning, and different business structures.

The evening’s keynote speaker was Hope Nwosu, Laurea Alumna of the Year 2025. Having moved to Finland in 2012, she is an active advocate for equality and multiculturalism and has worked extensively to empower immigrant women. In her role as a specialist in the employment services of the City of Vantaa, she supports and guides people who have moved to Finland from abroad in their job search.

In her presentation, she emphasized that no one needs to navigate the entrepreneurial journey alone. A support network of like-minded people can provide invaluable encouragement and advice at different stages along the way.

The Spark for Entrepreneurship Can Begin While Studying

Laurea aims to bring entrepreneurship closer to students already during their studies.

According to Esa Hukkanen, a Career Services Specialist at Laurea, it is important to encourage students to see entrepreneurship as one possible career path and to reach those who may have the potential to become interested in it.

Laurea is also developing different ways to support the integration and employment of international students in Finland. Hukkanen explained, that many international students are interested in entrepreneurship and have raised the topic themselves. Students want to learn how to move forward with their own business ideas.

“But even if you do not yet have a business idea, you are welcome to come and talk to us,” Hukkanen emphasized.

“It is enough to have the thought that entrepreneurship could be an option.”

There Are Many Paths to Entrepreneurship

Antti Sekki, Principal Lecturer responsible for entrepreneurship studies at Laurea, encouraged students to reflect on the changing nature of work and entrepreneurship. According to him, there are many different ways to become an entrepreneur, and the ways people work continue to diversify.

“More than half of solo entrepreneurs also have paid employment, and many people experiment with entrepreneurship alongside their regular jobs,” he explained.

For example, light entrepreneurship can offer an accessible way to test a business idea and start building an entrepreneurial path with a low threshold.

In addition to light entrepreneurship, Sekki highlighted growth companies and startups as valuable employment opportunities for international students in Finland.

“In traditional companies, the working language is often Finnish, whereas in startups it is usually English. Startups also tend to look beyond CVs, focusing instead on the skills and capabilities that people bring with them. As an international student, your background can provide valuable business expertise and perspectives for a company.”