For several years now, the City of Helsinki has been offering entrepreneurial young people between the ages of 15 and 29 the opportunity to learn about working life through summer entrepreneurship. The young people participating in the programme are provided with guidance and support for operating as entrepreneurs and business vouchers worth EUR 300 to start a business.
This spring, 88 young people applied for the 4H Association of the Capital Region’s Business Summer programme, with 60 ultimately selected to implement their business ideas in the programme. The selection criteria for the summer entrepreneurs emphasised the young people's business ideas and enthusiasm for entrepreneurship. No prior work experience was required.
“It is great that young people are interested in entrepreneurship. They have many interesting business ideas and the enthusiasm to develop their own entrepreneurial skills. The summer entrepreneurship programme offers young people experiences of entrepreneurship and an opportunity to put their ideas to the test,” says Head of Business Advisory Services Simo Kovalainen from Business Helsinki.
“We hope that the programme will lower the threshold for young people to become entrepreneurs. Many of the participants in previous years have continued to operate as entrepreneurs even after the programme,” Kovalainen adds.
Young people are inspired by the chance to realise their dreams
The business ideas of the young participants were inspired by their hobbies or personal interests. They hope that the summer will provide them with more work experience and useful lessons about entrepreneurship.
Lara Lehtipuu established a business called Inkeri Hobbyhorses that manufactures hobby horses and organises hobby horse camps for other hobby horse enthusiasts. “I had been thinking about becoming an entrepreneur for some time. The great thing about entrepreneurship is that you get to decide where and when you work,” says Lehtipuu.
Friends Ronja Kemppainen and Ilona Lastunen established a business called Pesupimut that offers cheerful window cleaning services in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. “Spending the summer as an entrepreneur is a great opportunity to learn skills that are needed in working life. It feels good knowing that the money you earn was earned entirely by you. It is nice being in charge of everything as an entrepreneur,” says Lastunen.
Alex Korhonen is into photography. He established a business called Alexin kuvat, which offers photography and video photography services. “What fascinates me about entrepreneurship is the fact that you get to take responsibility for your own work and try out and learn new things,” says Korhonen.
Ilona Hurme's business offers child care and home help. She heard about the programme from a friend and decided to apply. “I am excited and hope to get new customers for the summer,” says Hurme.
Dogs have always been dear to Ines Weman's heart. She established a business called VIKKELÄT tassut that makes handcrafted rope toys, leashes and collars for dogs. “It is great to be able to work as an entrepreneur for the summer and do what you like while also making some money,” says Weman.
Café del Sole is a pop-up café set up by Greta Pontalti that sells sweets, pastries and drinks. "I like to bake, which is how I got my business idea. I want to learn about customer acquisition and sales,” says Pontalti.
Summer entrepreneurs supported with varied training
In the spring, the 4H Association of the Capital Region organised training for the selected young people that covered topics such as business plans, productisation, sales and taxation with the help of experts. In addition to money, the participating young people can also earn study credits from the 4H Business Summer programme.
“The training organised in the spring provided the young people with a solid foundation for operating as summer entrepreneurs. We will also be offering them training and events that support entrepreneurship and community cohesion throughout the summer,” says Business Coordinator Laura Tunkkari from the 4H Association of the Capital Region.
The young people will celebrate the end of the summer entrepreneurship programme on 4 September, the week of Entrepreneur Day, at the Yritysareena 2025 event held at Helsinki City Hall.
