Young people built business ideas and international networks in Succeed in Business project

Funded by EU Interreg Central Baltic 2021–2027 programme, the Succeed in Business project has provided free entrepreneurial training for 18–25-year-olds from low-income families in Finland, Estonia and Latvia. 

The closing event also provided an opportunity to reflect on how the shared learning journey may influence young people’s future career opportunities and employability.

The true impact is ultimately reflected in people

According to Anne Jylhä, National Contact Point of the funding programme, the true impact of projects is reflected in new skills, networks, ideas and future opportunities.

“By bringing young people together across borders, the project has given them an opportunity to work in an international environment, exchange ideas and build connections beyond their own country,” Jylhä said.

“We cannot create confidence in the future simply by telling young people to be more optimistic. We need to create real opportunities for them to learn, experiment, develop their skills and meet new people.”

According to Jylhä, the goal is not necessarily for every participant to start a company.

Perhaps the most important thing is that they develop their ideas during the project, and sometimes those ideas may grow into businesses. Entrepreneurship education can offer much more: the ability to identify opportunities, turn ideas into something concrete, solve problems, collaborate with others, take initiative and find the courage to try something new.

Anne Jylhä, Interreg Central Baltic 2021–2027 programme

“When we talk about improving employment opportunities, the impact is not found only in indicators or project reports. It is found in what happens next. We do not know that yet, but that is exactly the value of projects like this: they open new doors and create new opportunities,” Jylhä summarized.

Entrepreneurship starts with understanding your motivations

One of the inspiring speakers at the event was Eemeli Vottonen, an entreprenur and a student at TAMK’s Proakatemia entrepreneurship-focused unit. He shared lessons from his entrepreneurial journey with Zennius Oy and described how starting a company forced him to reflect on his values and motivations.

Vottonen emphasized that entrepreneurs should understand why they want to pursue entrepreneurship and what drives their actions. He explained that he had started his first company for the wrong reasons because he did not fully understand his own beliefs, fears and the way they shaped his decisions.

“I realized that one of the deepest reasons for starting my company was the desire to be loved and respected.”

Photo: Hanna Ylli

“The people closest to me do not love me because of my accomplishments. They care about how I treat them and what kind of person I am in their lives. Whenever I start something new, whether it is a school project or a business, I first want to understand why I am doing it. Then I focus on that and put everything else aside. I want to be ready to change direction when I realize I am on the wrong path. Understand why you do what you do.”

Another key lesson was the importance of focusing on what truly matters.

If I were starting again today, I would focus on three things: contacting customers, understanding what they need, and improving the offering based on what I learn. Identify the one thing that matters most. For me, business begins when you have paying customers.

Eemeli Vottonen, Proakatemia

Wellbeing, technology and sustainability inspired business ideas

The participants presented a wide range of ideas, from wellbeing applications and digital services to healthcare innovations and physical products.

Photo: Hanna Ylli

One concept focused on a smart insole designed to monitor foot pressure and help identify issues related to conditions such as flat feet. The team had also explored patent opportunities and potential production costs.

Another group introduced Farm Hub, a digital platform connecting local food producers directly with consumers. The idea aims to reduce food waste and improve the visibility of small-scale producers.

Medleaf concept seeks to make medicine information easier to access by allowing users to view official medication instructions digitally through QR codes.

Hands-on experience through entrepreneurial projects

One team presented Slice of Life, a pop-up café they operated for a month in downtown Tampere during the summer. The students managed marketing, finances, product development and daily operations themselves. They gathered customer feedback, built visibility through social media and gained practical experience in running a business. Along the way, they learned how much planning, teamwork and problem-solving even a small business requires.

Photo: Hanna Ylli

Another team, Export Group, explored opportunities to bring well-known international franchise concepts to new markets. Team members had already held discussions with companies and conducted market research as part of the project.

Creative solutions for different target groups

Among the presentations was a culturally inclusive fashion concept that would offer custom-made formalwear inspired by different cultural traditions. The idea emerged from a recognized need for more individualized and culturally meaningful clothing options on the Finnish market.

Technology-related projects included the Mind Rest wellbeing application and SixSeven, a compact and environmentally friendly cable-management solution. The teams had already developed functioning prototypes and considered issues such as pricing, commercialization and future product development.

Photo: Hanna Ylli

Courage to experiment and learn

At the end of the event, participants evaluated each other’s projects and voted for the most impressive presentations. The exercise encouraged them to recognize each other’s strengths and reflect on which ideas might have the greatest potential for future success.

In their closing remarks, the project leaders thanked participants for their commitment, enthusiasm and courage. They emphasized that the most important outcomes of the project are not found in plans or reports, but in participants’ skills, self-confidence, networks and opportunities.

The project was coordinated by Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU). Project Manager Natalja Sterhova highlighted that while the project provided training courses, workshops and experts, it was the people who brought it to life.

Without you, this project would not have existed. Your energy, curiosity and ideas have been at the heart of this journey. We started by talking about entrepreneurial skills, business ideas and teamwork, but the project gave us much more. The journey of these ideas does not end here. Some may grow into businesses, some may change completely, and some may take you to places you cannot even imagine today.

Natalja Sterhova, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies

Sterhova emphasized that everyone involved had learned from one another about courage, openness and creativity.

“Stay curious and say yes to opportunities. Curiosity is what moves us forward.”