Finland at GIDS: Exploring Career Opportunities in Tech and Startups

Finland, voted the World's Happiest Country for the seventh year, is welcoming talented Indians to launch or reestablish their careers in one of the most attractive countries to work in. With its emphasis on work-life balance, support for families, and being home to some of the greenest cities and most innovative companies in the world, Finland is aiming to encourage work-based migration and study-based migration.

This endeavor takes center stage at the esteemed Great Indian Developer Summit (GIDS) in Bangalore, where Finland aims to position itself as the premier destination for ICT and Tech innovation, with a keen focus on talent mobility, business growth, and startup ecosystem development. The event is set to showcase Finland's thriving tech landscape, and will offer attendees valuable insights into the country's supportive infrastructure for startups and the plethora of career opportunities available in the IT sector. Through informative sessions and networking opportunities, participants will gain a deeper understanding of Finland's vibrant tech ecosystem and its potential for collaboration and growth.

Finland's Talent Magnet

India has emerged as a primary focus market for Finland's talent attraction operations since 2019. “In addition to strong tech and innovation focus, family well-being and equality are values universally upheld by Finnish society – and they are also embedded in workplace policies and culture. The very affordable child care here allows both parents to have an active work life - as well as an enjoyable family life. Finland's healthy balance of work and leisure also offers many opportunities to enjoy the country's unique nature," says Laura Lindeman, Senior Director of Business Finland's Work in Finland unit.”

With over 20,000 Indians (of Indian origin) living in Finland, notable companies like Nokia, Kone, Wärtsilä, and Nordea, along with Finnish SMEs and startups, employ a substantial number of Indian professionals. Indian companies with operations in Finland, such as HCL Technologies, Infosys, and TCS, further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two nations. Currently, Finland is attracting specialists, skilled professionals, international students, researchers, and international startup founders.

Despite being a small Nordic country, Finland boasts a thriving startup ecosystem, with over 3,800 startups and a combined market value of €48.2 billion. "Our high concentration of digital startups per capita and our leading position in cybersecurity and AI make us an ideal destination for tech professionals from around the world, especially India," Lindeman further explains.

Finland and India are actively enhancing their partnership in the area of talent mobility. This commitment is demonstrated through various collaborative efforts, including Memorandum of Understanding with key Indian entities such as the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Kerala Startup Mission. These collaboration agreements support Finland's dedication to create a hospitable environment for international talents. Through initiatives like these and its participation in events like GIDS, Finland continues to showcase its attractiveness as a destination for tech talent and startup founders looking to thrive in a dynamic and innovative ecosystem.