The survey mapped the lines of action that would benefit all FSC members’ fields of activity.
According to the study, the three most important policies of startup companies are related to improving the availability of skilled labor. An interesting observation was that improving the availability of PhD-level workers was not considered important compared to other issues related to increasing the availability of the workforce.
It is good to note that the results of the study should be considered indicative, as the sample size was relatively small at 114 companies. FSC currently has 200 member companies. However, the results are largely in line with what Finnish startups have been talking about in recent years, for example the importance of the availability of skilled labor.
Gaming giant Supercell sets the highest expectations for the general improvement of labor availability and the streamlining of immigration processes. “Professional employees are at the center of our operations and without them there is no game studio. Good reforms have been made, but the ambition must be raised and, for example, the reform of the digital identity must be completed at the very beginning of the government period.” says Mark IgnatiusDirector of Public Affairs at Supercell.
However, it is important to note that FSC members operate in different sectors, where the professional requirements of the workforce also vary. “Some of our member companies operate, for example, in the field of quantum technology, where even the academic competence requirement of employees is very important and success at work requires the kind of in-depth knowledge that can basically be acquired with a doctoral degree. -level education,” says Youssef Zadchief economist of the Finnish startup community.
IQM is a good example of a company whose employees are highly educated. “We have assembled Europe’s largest team of quantum experts. More than 40 percent of our more than 230 employees have a doctoral degree. As quantum technology develops, both theoretical and practical knowledge continues to increase. In addition, industry, academia and the government must cooperate to bridge the skills gap and fully utilize the potential of quantum technology,” says Jan GoetzCEO and founder of IQM Quantum Computers, an international quantum company with Finnish roots.
According to the report, taxation is considered important when it can better attract key personnel to start-up companies or encourage start-up companies to engage in RDI activities. Among the proposed policy recommendations, cutting corporate tax was considered the least important, which partially supports the message of our member companies: they want to pay taxes and thus also support the funding of public services, such as good education.
The figure below illustrates the results of the survey, with the top being the most important policy measure that members of the startup community hope to change, and the bottom being the least important, based on the survey. The respondents are companies that are growing into a business cluster that strengthens the well-being of the Finnish economy and the growth of employment. In terms of Finland’s economic growth and productivity development, it is important to promote a policy that allows such new innovative companies to grow faster and reach their full potential.
The survey of the Finnish Startup community was carried out in March 2023. A total of 114 member companies responded.
HT
Source: The Finnish Startup Community (FSC)
Source: The Nordic Page