Space to Grow. Community to Scale.

Skaalaamo is Seinäjoki’s startup hub and growth community for ambitious founders and growth-oriented companies.

More than a coworking space, Skaalaamo brings together entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, experts, and partners who share a common goal: building scalable businesses and creating sustainable growth.

Whether you are launching a startup, validating a new business idea, preparing for investment, or expanding internationally, Skaalaamo provides the support, networks, and facilities to help you move forward faster.

Who Is Skaalaamo For?

Skaalaamo is designed for companies and founders who:

  • Aim to grow in Finland or internationally
  • Want to build a scalable business model
  • Are preparing to launch a new product or service
  • Are looking for growth funding or investors
  • Need support in leadership, strategy, or team development
  • Want an experienced sparring partner for their growth journey

Whether you are an early-stage startup or an ambitious growth company, Skaalaamo can help accelerate your next stage of development.

What Are the Benefits?

By joining Skaalaamo, you gain access to:

Growth Planning and Business Development

  • A structured growth plan for your company
  • Expert coaching and strategic guidance
  • Practical tools for business development
  • Support for international growth and market expansion

Mentors, Investors and Networks

  • Access to experienced mentors and advisors
  • Connections to investors and growth funding networks
  • Opportunities to meet partners and potential customers
  • Peer learning with other growth-minded entrepreneurs

Community and Workspace

  • Membership in an active startup community
  • Modern coworking facilities
  • Dedicated workstations and meeting rooms
  • Spaces for customer and investor meetings
  • High-speed Wi-Fi and business address services
  • Flexible access to the facilities

Events and Learning Opportunities

  • Workshops and expert sessions
  • Startup-focused events and networking opportunities
  • Access to the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem at Rytmikorjaamo

How to Join Skaalaamo

Joining is simple.

Apply Anytime

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Selection Process

Approximately ten startups are admitted to each annual growth programme.

One-Year Development Journey

The programme runs for twelve months, providing structured support and long-term development opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Skaalaamo Free of Charge?

Yes. All Skaalaamo services are provided free of charge.

What Size of Companies Can Participate?

Companies of all sizes are welcome, provided they have a clear ambition to grow.

Do I Need a Finished Growth Plan?

No. Many participants join precisely because they need support in creating a growth strategy. We can build it together.

Are Discussions Confidential?

Absolutely. All conversations with our experts, mentors, and advisors are treated as confidential.

How Can I Finance Growth?

Into Seinäjoki helps companies identify suitable public and private funding opportunities.

One option is the South Ostrobothnia Growth Fund, which invests in ambitious growth companies capable of building scalable international business operations.

The fund typically invests in companies headquartered in South Ostrobothnia or with significant operations in the region.

A Community Built Around Growth

One of Skaalaamo’s greatest strengths is its network. The community includes entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, experts, universities, development organisations, and growth partners who are committed to helping startups succeed. Members benefit from knowledge sharing, peer mentoring, valuable introductions, and opportunities that often emerge naturally through collaboration.

Skaalaamo Companies

Partners

Our partners provide services and expertise to startups while actively contributing to the growth of the Seinäjoki startup ecosystem. They regularly meet with founders and growth companies at Skaalaamo, offering practical support, specialist knowledge, and valuable business connections.

Mentors

Our mentors support founders and growth-oriented companies through mentoring, coaching, and strategic discussions. Drawing on their own entrepreneurial and leadership experience, they are committed to helping startups overcome challenges, accelerate growth, and succeed. At the same time, they play an important role in strengthening the Seinäjoki startup ecosystem.

Matti Ehder-Gahm
Suvi Hakala
Kaija Heittola
Oskari Ilomäki
Miiro Jääskeläinen
Marjo Kamila
Sami Kankaanpää
Mika Lindberg
Jari Luoma
Maria Mäkelä
Nina Mäkelä
Heidi Petäjämäki
Melina Sivunen
Ishani Thilakaratne
Ari Utriainen
Minna Utriainen

Success Stories

Dozens of companies have already benefited from Skaalaamo’s services.

Participants consistently highlight three key benefits:

  • Valuable business networks
  • Practical support for growth and development
  • Increased confidence and clarity for the future

As one participant described it:

“The best part of Skaalaamo was the networking opportunities and the encouraging, knowledgeable coaches. We received practical support and concrete ideas for developing our business.”

Pictures from Skaalaamo

Skaalaamo Is Also Home to GenGreen

Skaalaamo serves as the South Ostrobothnia hub for the Nordic GenGreen initiative.

The project supports sustainable business development, particularly among women entrepreneurs, through education, collaboration, and international networks across Finland, Sweden, and Norway.

As a regional Living Lab, Skaalaamo connects local entrepreneurs with Nordic partners, expertise, and opportunities related to sustainable business development and innovation.

The Skaalaamo concept was originally developed as part of the Food & Tech Startup project, which supported business development and growth in the food and technology sectors. Today, Skaalaamo continues to evolve through the SMARTUP project (A81608), whose objective is to strengthen, develop, and internationalise the emerging startup ecosystem and entrepreneurial culture in South Ostrobothnia. The project is co-funded by the European Union and administered by the Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia.

In addition, Skaalaamo serves as a Living Lab and regional hub for the GenGREEN network. Running from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2026, the GenGREEN project supports sustainable entrepreneurship and cross-border collaboration across Finland, Sweden, and Norway. The project is funded by the European Union through the Interreg Aurora programme, with national co-financing provided by the Regional Council of Lapland, Interreg Norge, and Luleå University of Technology.

For more information, please contact