A new HI-GEE project has started
In the 2024 round, the Foundation for Economic Education awarded 100.000 euros for a research project led by Professor Ulla Hytti. The HI-GEE project explores the role of highly educated immigrants as employees and entrepreneurs in promoting business growth. The funding was awarded from the focus area of ‘entrepreneurship, scaling and growth’. This text has been originally published in Finnish on the Foundation for Economic Education’s website.
International Talent: The Key to SME Growth and Internationalization?
Finland’s future depends on tackling skill shortages—and international talent could be the game-changer. While many immigrants already work in the service sector, especially in big cities, their potential in driving Finland’s competitiveness remains largely unrealized.
Compared to other countries, Finnish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are not particularly international. There are relatively few SMEs in the export sector, and many businesses struggle to scale beyond national borders. But what if hiring international talent could change that? With their diverse expertise, global networks, and fresh perspectives, they could be the missing puzzle piece for growth and internationalization.
Every year, thousands of international students graduate from Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences. Many of them dream of staying in Finland, offering their skills and building their lives here. But the reality often tells a different story—finding a job is challenging. Many talented graduates end up leaving simply because they can’t secure employment.
For those who do stay, entrepreneurship is an increasingly popular path. Yet, immigrant entrepreneurship is often understood to be only small-scale, survival-driven business activity rather than something that could lead to major economic impact. However, many immigrant entrepreneurs in Finland have already built growing, international companies—some have even sold their businesses to global investment firms.
What Our Research Aims to Uncover
Our research project seeks to shed light on the role of international talent in the growth and internationalization of Finnish SMEs—both as employees and as entrepreneurs.
We’re exploring key questions like:
- How do Finnish SMEs approach the recruitment of international talent?
- What are the biggest barriers for immigrant professionals entering the workforce?
- What challenges do immigrant entrepreneurs face when trying to grow their businesses?
- How can international talent help Finnish SMEs expand into global markets?
This project builds on previous research on the experiences of international professionals in Finland and in Finnish labour markets (www.hiwe.fi). It’s also closely connected to ongoing studies on immigrant entrepreneurship within the unit.
Meet the Team Behind the Research
Professor Ulla Hytti is a principal investigator of the project, working alongside a dedicated team, including entrepreneurship researchers Satu Aaltonen, Tommi Pukkinen, Anna Elkina, and research assistant Oskar Aaltonen.
We believe that embracing international talent isn’t just about filling skill gaps—it’s about unlocking new opportunities for growth, innovation, and global success. Stay tuned as we dive deeper into this topic!