Entrepreneurship societies (ESes) are student-led organisations connecting students to professional networks and activating early-stage ideas. However, due to the rising challenges in the Finnish labour market, ESes need to look beyond local levels. Recent discussions have highlighted the importance of stronger cooperation between organisations to share knowledge, coordinate activities and strengthen their impact on the Finnish entrepreneurial environment.
Rising unemployment calls for student initiatives
In 2025, within one year, the unemployment rate in Finland rose to 10.6%, highlighting a need for new solutions (Helsinki Times 2025). Entrepreneurship has been one potential response to this rising rate, as it creates new jobs and stimulates economic activity (OECD 2016). National discussions have also highlighted the need for stronger company growth and job creation in Finland (Confederation of Finnish Industries 2025). Therefore, ESes have actively been promoting entrepreneurship at universities and universities of applied sciences while making a clear impact.
According to the Startup Foundation (2024), former ES board members have started more than 180 active companies that have raised nearly 1.3 billion euros and employ around 10,000 people. However, the study found that collaboration between ESes could be strengthened to further improve their collective outcomes.
How could Network Theory help?
Network Theory explains how these societies can develop their work together. This theory states that an organisation is defined by its relationships (ties) rather than just its individual members. These connections provide the basis for collaboration. However, being connected is not enough; active communication and knowledge-sharing are needed to bring these connections to life. (Sulak 2026, 12, 3.)
![[Alt text: a three-phase figure, containing structural base, active processes and outcomes.]](https://blogit.lab.fi/labfocus/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/09/459_2026_Building-stronger-connections-etc_2pg-1024x512.png)
Knowledge-sharing includes two types of knowledge: explicit, which is formalised and written, and tacit, which is personal and experience-based (Nonaka & Takeuchi 1995‚ 59–60). At the moment, the connections between Finnish entrepreneurship societies rely heavily on informal (tacit) knowledge-sharing and personal relations. While this informal network is friendly and warm, it lacks consistency as student board members change every year; these connections are at risk of dissolving. (Sulak 2026, 42.) The experiences and perspectives discussed in this article are drawn from interviews with Finnish entrepreneurship society organisers.
A five-step plan
To address these challenges, a five-phase collaboration model was developed based on the interviewees’ suggestions. It starts with an early-year summit in January to build personal trust and establish connections among the new members. It is followed by a shared calendar to plan main events and a joint database to help new boards learn instantly from past experiences. In addition, role-specific video calls during the year would allow organisers to share tips and support each other. Finally, co-hosting joint events and workshops during summer programs was mentioned as a great opportunity for collaborative work.
The findings suggest that turning separate ES relations into one connected network can amplify their overall outcomes. When organisations work together and effectively share knowledge, they can enhance performance and innovation. Therefore, by implementing these suggestions, societies would not just improve their collaborations but their impact on the Finnish entrepreneurial environment as well.
A broader understanding of collaboration across Finnish entrepreneurship societies could help identify new opportunities for knowledge sharing, stronger networks and a greater collective impact on the entrepreneurial environment.
Authors
Veronika Sulak is graduating with a BBA in International Business from the LAB School of Business and is a former board member of Lahti Entrepreneurship Society.
Sari Suominen works as a Senior Lecturer at the LAB University of Applied Sciences in Lahti.
References
Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK). 2025. Growth ReStart: Bold Decisions to Accelerate Economic Growth. Cited 8 Sep 2026. Available at https://ek.fi/en/growth-restart/
Danilyuk, P. 2020. Group-of-young-people-sitting-on-a-windowsill-and-talking. Pexels. Cited 28 Aug 2026. Available at https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-young-people-sitting-on-a-windowsill-and-talking-6340713/
Helsinki Times. 2025. Finland’s Unemployment Rate Climbs to 10.6% in November. Cited 21 Aug 2026. Available at https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/28344-finland-s-unemployment-rate-climbs-to-10-6-in-november.html
Nonaka, I. & Takeuchi, H. 1995. The Knowledge-Creating Company: How Japanese Companies Create the Dynamics of Innovation. New York, NY; online edn Oxford Academic. Cited 21 Aug 2026. Available at https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780195092691.001.0001
OECD. 2016. OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2016. Paris: OECD Publishing. Cited 21 Aug 2026. Available at https://doi.org/10.1787/sti_in_outlook-2016-25-en
Startup Foundation. 2024. Entrepreneurship Society Impact Report 2024. Cited 21 Aug 2026. Available at https://www.startup-saatio.fi/entrepreneurship-societies
Sulak, V. 2026. Strengthening Collaboration Between Entrepreneurship Societies in Finland. Bachelor’s thesis. LAB University of Applied Sciences, LAB School of Business. Lahti. Cited 21 Aug 2026. Available at https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2026082226445
