For many newcomers to Finland, entrepreneurship is a pathway to employment and building a future. An increasing number of people who have moved to Finland are also building the country as entrepreneurs, employing others and creating growth.
However, entrepreneurship-related information, regulatory systems and the social security framework may seem complex, especially for those who are new to the operating environment.
We are launching collaboration with Startup Refugees to better understand the daily lives and information needs of newcomer entrepreneurs in Finland. The partnership supports our goal of developing customer-oriented services and ensuring that information about entrepreneurs’ pensions and social security is accessible to as many entrepreneurs as possible.
Startup Refugees supports entrepreneurs throughout Finland
Startup Refugees is a non-profit organisation founded in 2015 that supports newcomers to Finland in finding employment and starting a business. The organisation has offices in Helsinki, Vantaa and Oulu, and it operates nationwide.
Startup Refugees offers, among other things, entrepreneurship training, business consulting, mentoring and support for developing business ideas. The organisation’s network includes around 5,000 businesses, organisations and private individuals. Through its entrepreneurship programmes, more than 1,500 future entrepreneurs have been trained and over 150 companies have been registered.
YEL insurance – familiar yet poorly understood
In spring 2026, we conducted interviews with international entrepreneurs which showed that they generally consider the Finnish pension system and related information to be trustworthy, but often complicated. All interviewees knew the basics of YEL insurance, but none felt they understood the system very well.
The interviews particularly highlighted the language barrier, fragmented information and the difficulty of understanding how YEL insurance affects one’s personal pension and social security. Many entrepreneurs hoped for clearer communication, practical examples and readily available advice, especially in the early stages of entrepreneurship.
“An entrepreneur’s pension and social security coverage is one of the most important cornerstones of entrepreneurship. We want to ensure that every entrepreneur, regardless of their background, understands how the system works and the benefits it provides. This is why we must both listen to entrepreneurs to understand their needs and communicate the impacts of these matters as clearly as possible,” says Varma’s Director of Small Business and Partnerships Katri Priimägi.
YEL insurance is not just pension insurance; it also forms the basis for many other social security benefits for entrepreneurs. The interviews highlighted that understanding this overall system was a common challenge.
Responsible business based on customer needs
The partnership with Startup Refugees also supports Varma’s responsible business practices. We want to develop our operations in a way that takes into account the needs of entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds and ensures that our services are equally accessible to everyone.
At the heart of Startup Refugees’ operations is an understanding of the target group’s needs, alongside practical support. This makes it a natural partner for Varma in seeking a deeper understanding of the experiences and expectations of entrepreneurs who have moved to Finland.
“Varma’s commitment to addressing the needs of entrepreneurs who are new to Finland demonstrates how important equality is, also when developing practical services. Our partnership is a great example of how companies and non-profit organisations can work together to build better conditions for entrepreneurship in Finland,” stresses Startup Refugees’ CEO Aicha Manai.
The collaboration enables us to participate in Startup Refugees’ entrepreneurship training programmes, engage in discussions with entrepreneurs from various backgrounds and gather information on how we can communicate about entrepreneurs’ pensions and social security more clearly.
The significance of newcomer entrepreneurs to Finnish society is constantly growing. When an entrepreneur receives the right information at the right time, it is easier for them to build their business, secure their livelihood and plan their future with confidence.