Latest news
Strengthening Finland–Egypt Trade Through AI Collaboration
Ambassador Mohamed Ghoneim invited Aisha and me to the Egyptian Embassy to discuss entry pathways into the Egyptian market.
We presented SUSAN, our AI platform designed to strengthen Finland–Egypt cooperation across key areas:
Education & Training
Job Search, Recruitment & Placement
Immigrant Integration
We also shared our work in Malta, including SmartMARIA, an AI Tutor developed at the request of Ambassador Kenneth Vella, along with its planned launch and implementation.
We look forward to continuing these discussions and visiting Egypt in early 2026.
References:
Ahmed Ghoneim Mohamed Ghareeb, Dr. Henrik Keinonen, Mikko Armila, Roy Eriksson, Outi Hakanen, Kirsti Lonka, Jouni Kangasniemi, Sami Kazi, Caj Södergård, Juha Hiltunen, Juha Vähäpassi, Silva Paananen, Luis Alberto Anastacio, Andres Suarez, Ahmed Hosam Eldin, Tommi Juhani Uitti, Dipanjan Das
Conversion Isn’t Luck — It’s Engineered
At Slush, I had a thoughtful conversation with Hussnain Ahmed about international players entering the Finnish market.
One theme stood out clearly: revenue often stalls because businesses don’t truly understand whether their clients are actually ready to buy.
That’s where a disciplined Conversion Architecture becomes critical.
As I often tell teams, conversion is the most reliable way to gauge a client’s readiness to buy.
It’s not about pressure—it’s about clarity.
Effective conversion means:
Diagnosing where the client is in their decision cycle
Identifying capability gaps
Clarifying the value narrative
Aligning stakeholders around a shared definition of the problem
When firms build a robust Conversion Architecture with clear decision signals, something powerful happens:
deals accelerate, friction falls, and client acquisition becomes predictable—not opportunistic.
Conversion isn’t luck.
It’s engineered.
Ref:
Mohamed Ghoneim,
Ahmed Ghoneim Mohamed Ghareeb,
Dr. Henrik Keinonen,
Mikko Armila,
Kenneth Vella,
When Runway Ends, Opportunity Begins
Aisha and I were telling Christoph at Slush that many early-stage startups are rapidly running out of runway.
The cash crunch is accelerating, and a growing number of companies will soon be pushed toward fire-sale exits.
For larger players, this moment represents a rare strategic window: an opportunity to dominate through acquisition—securing high-value IP, talent, and technology at a fraction of their true cost.
The fire sales are coming.
The real question is simple:
How prepared are the big players to convert this moment into rapid, unapologetic growth?
From AI Pilots to City-Scale Impact
Aisha and I met with Dipanjan and Tommi Juhani Uitti from Startup Nation at Slush to discuss how cities can scale AI using a structured, enterprise-level approach.
We demonstrated how our Susan.fi platform accelerates municipal AI adoption by offering:
A unified AI enablement layer
Standardized use-case deployment pipelines
An integrated data-to-insight architecture
Tampere already has strong foundational assets. With the right AI operating model—governance,
workflows, and capability building—it can move quickly from isolated pilots to system-wide implementation.
Accelerating Jobseeker Placement Through Strong Capability Signaling
Aisha and I met Shalini Sharma at Slush to explore how powerful capability signaling can accelerate jobseeker placement.
Shalini’s new venture is building a clear capability signaling framework that translates jobseeker skills into market-recognized indicators.
Sharper signaling helps jobseekers connect to opportunities faster, making the entire talent pipeline operate with greater precision.
Strong capability signaling is rapidly becoming a core enabler of modern workforce readiness.
Why Finnish LBOs Are a Strategic Opportunity for Egyptian Investors
Slush shows how Finland is an excellent market for disciplined LBO plays by Egyptian investors.
Aisha Saleem and I suggested to Mohamed Ghareeb that LBOs (of Finnish companies) will give Egyptian investors:
predictable EBITDA
cash-flow stability
operational efficiency
clean governance
attractive financing rates from Finnish banks
Egyptian investors should consider LBOs of Finnish companies because it is ideal for structured leverage and rapid deleveraging.
Ref:
Mohamed Ghoneim Ahmed Ghoneim
Tackling Finland’s NEET Challenge Through Youth-to-Market Activation
Aisha and I spoke with Ville Bengs at Slush about Finland’s accelerating NEET crisis.
Traditional education and employment pathways are proving insufficient. Finland needs a structured Youth-to-Market Activation model to bridge the gap.
If Finland wants to reduce long-term NEET risk and unlock latent talent, then
Youth-to-Market Activation is a critical strategic lever.
Building a Scalable Creator Engagement Model for the Creator Economy
Aisha and I spoke with Asya Kruglova at Slush about the structural challenges and opportunities in the creator economy.
I highlighted the need for a Scalable Creator Engagement Model, providing a systematic way to move from episodic influencer activity to a disciplined, repeatable growth engine.
The focus should be on consistent operating rhythms and an integrated measurement stack.
Brands are increasingly seeking commercial capability rather than a series of one-off campaigns.
Excited to continue shaping this thinking together.
Leveraging Scarcity Architecture to Serve Affluent Clients
I met with Valtteri Pukander, Olga Balakina, and Aape Pohjavirta at Innovestor to discuss the nuances of serving affluent client segments.
I shared our Scarcity Architecture — a deliberate design of value signals, access models, and capacity constraints that elevates perceived exclusivity and creates structured demand pull.
For high-value segments, scarcity helps companies create strategic differentiation.
Looking forward to advancing this thinking in our next conversations.
Thanks to Dr. Henrik Keinonen for the invitation.
Scaling Revenue Through a Growth Architecture
Advania Finland is approaching €100M under the leadership of Janne Ahonen.
I suggested that the next leap will come from onboarding every team member onto the company’s Revenue Growth Architecture.
Growth isn’t about luck.
Growth isn’t just about hard work.
Growth is about architecture!
Thanks to Dr. Henrik Keinonen for inviting me to Innovestor.
Expanding Finnish Tech Reach: From Helsinki to Cairo
Slush deal flow is in full swing. The Egyptian Embassy in Helsinki connected us to Ahmed Ghoneim.
Finnish technologies like SUSAN.fi can add significant value to businesses in Egypt.
Next stop — Cairo.
Ref: Mohamed Ghoneim, Dr. Henrik Keinonen, Ahmed Hosam Eldin, Mohamed Ghareeb, Salla Keränen, Jyrki Lehtimäki, Otto Olavinen, Peppi Stünkel, Pavel “Paavo” Popov, Mohamad Shawkat, Ayman Mahmoud, Sari Päivärinta, Mikko Armila
Supporting Growth and High-Impact Connections
Let’s rally together to help Mohamad Shawkat achieve his next €million in revenue — a milestone that reflects vision, hard work, and the power of strategic collaboration.
A heartfelt thank you to Ambassador Mohamed Ghoneim for graciously hosting us at the Egyptian Embassy in Helsinki. Such gatherings are invaluable for fostering connections that bridge markets and unlock new opportunities.
It’s always inspiring to meet Dr. Henrik Keinonen at these high-impact events, where ideas, innovation, and leadership converge to shape the future of business.
I’m excited for the journey ahead and the impact we can create together.
Building Bridges Between Helsinki and Cairo
Excited to strengthen ties between Helsinki and Cairo alongside Ambassador Mohamed Ghoneim. Our meeting at the Egyptian Embassy in Helsinki was a fantastic opportunity to explore collaboration, exchange ideas, and build bridges that connect people, markets, and innovation across borders.
Training the Future: How SUSAN.fi from Finland is Empowering University Students in Italy
Aisha and I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Marilu Chiofalo, who was visiting from Italy, to discuss the algorithms powering our SUSAN.fi platform from Finland.
We are now training the platform to assist in teaching quantum computing to university students in Italy — a step forward in using AI to enhance education globally.
Our team at Talent Bridge Finland extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this possible:
Vantaan kaupunki – Vanda stad – City of Vantaa, Helsinki Blockchain Center, G-Gravity, Finnish AI Region (FAIR EDIH), Miikka Neuvonen, Roberta Robin Gilardi, Markus Lehtonen, Jussi Oivukkamäki, Solja Sulkunen, Umair Ali Khan, Dmitry Kudryavtsev, Servicio Filipino, Inc., Sami Kazi, Caj Södergård
Ref: Juha Vartiainen, Mikko Armila, Juha Vähäpassi, Kenneth Vella, Kirsti Lonka, Silva Paananen, Roy Eriksson, Outi Hakanen, Luis Alberto Anastacio, Andres Suarez
Small Cities, Big Impact: Supporting Newcomer Integration in Riihimäki
Small city, big heart — Riihimäen kaupunki / City of Riihimäki
Small EU cities are increasingly on the front lines of immigration. Unlike their larger counterparts, they often lack deep administrative capacity, expansive budgets, or well-established ecosystems of NGOs.
Yet the challenge is urgent: how can these communities absorb newcomers in a way that promotes social cohesion, economic contribution, and long-term sustainability?
We are grateful for the trust placed in our team at Talent Bridge Finland, including Aisha Saleem, Luis Alberto Anastacio, and Andres Suarez, to help address these challenges and support impactful solutions.
Driving Growth Through AI and Talent Innovation
Saleem Qureshi is an AI & Innovation Leader passionate about transforming the way businesses grow and scale. With his expertise in artificial intelligence, he focuses on building solutions that simplify processes, enhance decision-making, and unlock new opportunities. His vision is to help organizations harness the power of AI to achieve sustainable growth in today’s fast-changing world. By combining innovation with strategy, Saleem continues to guide companies toward smarter operations and stronger market presence, making him a valuable voice in the global AI landscape.
Betting on the Staffing Industry: Preparing for the Next Wave of Talent Demand
More Layoffs Are Coming — Here’s Why We’re Betting on the Staffing Industry
Higher-Caliber Skills Required
As companies around the world become more competitive, automation is accelerating. This shift will likely trigger another round of layoffs, with organizations replacing roles with higher-skilled talent.
Building a Higher-Skilled Talent Pipeline
That’s why Aisha is forming growth partnerships with recruiters to develop a pipeline of highly skilled professionals.
A special thanks to Mehr Ansari for introducing us to Saad Rana.
References:
Luis Alberto Anastacio, Andres Suarez, Robert Bruch
From Idea to Income: How Startups Build Cash Flow in Finland
Olga K. interviewed Aisha and me about how we built our startups in Finland.
cash flow.
They say “cash is king”—and it’s true. But how do startups actually generate sustainable cash flow that makes them attractive to investors?
That’s the conversation we dive into: the realities, the strategies, and the lessons learned along the way.
cashflow VC
Meeting the Minds Powering Finland’s Success in Data Science & AI
I had the opportunity to meet some of the brilliant minds behind Finland’s success in data science and artificial intelligence — Anza Ghaffar, Hassan Aziz, and Waqas Shakeel.
Why Finland Should Become a Global Testbed for Robotics Innovation
Why do Tiina, Roberta, and I want to open up Finland as a testbed for international robotics companies?
ROBOT DENSITY
EU ~ 2.5%
US ~ 2.75%
China ~ 3%
South Korea ~ 10%+
Finland has a unique opportunity to leap ahead and aim for the 10%+ robot density benchmark set by global leaders like South Korea.
To make this happen, we need to attract more robotics companies that are ready to build, test, and scale their solutions in Finland.
Aisha and I are already developing SUSAN.fi as an SLM. This creates a powerful opportunity to train the SLM, embedding the right syntax and semantics within the Finnish societal and industrial context—while accelerating real-world robotics adoption.
Ref:
Teemu Seppälä · Mikko Armila · Defence Innovation Network Finland (DEFINE) · Business Helsinki · Helsinki Partners · Business Finland · Helsinki XR Center · Vantaan kaupunki – City of Vantaa · Riihimäen kaupunki – City of Riihimäki · Espoon kaupunki – City of Espoo · NVIDIA for Startups · G-Gravity · Helsinki Blockchain Center · Miikka Neuvonen
Empowering Immigrants in Finland: How Susan.fi is Bridging the Integration Gap
Aisha Saleem and I were recently featured in newspaper for our product SUSAN.fi, an AI-powered solution for immigrant integration, brought to you by Talent Bridge Finland.
We are grateful for the support from Riihimäen kaupunki – City of Riihimäki, Jouni Eho, Juha Hiltunen, Henri Hallanoro, Samuel Koivisto, Teemu Seppälä, Laura Manner-Raappana, Reetta-Liisa Viitanen, Kristian Keinänen, Mikko Armila, Sami Kazi, Laila Bröcker, Heli Hidén, Solja Sulkunen, Business Helsinki, Business Finland, Finnish Business Angels Network (FiBAN), and Hämeenlinnan kaupunki – The City of Hämeenlinna.
Partial article in English:
Money Movements explores the business world, entrepreneurship, and companies in the Aamuposti region, featuring interviews with entrepreneurs at various stages of their careers.
Saleem Qureshi and Aisha Saleem, who moved to Finland three years ago, know firsthand the challenges immigrants face. Today, they run Talent Bridge in Riihimäki, developing an AI-powered application to assist immigrants—and support the city at the same time.
Their shared “child” is called Susan.fi (Smart User Service with AI Navigation).
Talent Bridge also facilitates the recruitment of nurses and restaurant staff from the Philippines to Finland and other European countries.
“The nursing shortage isn’t just a problem in Finland—it’s also an issue in Germany, Italy, Malta… and it’s not just nurses; there’s also a shortage of restaurant staff,” says Qureshi.
He notes Finland’s declining birth rate and reflects on its long-term consequences:
“When we retire, who will pay our pensions?”
Qureshi emphasizes the importance of attracting immigrants who contribute to society immediately, rather than relying on taxpayer support.
Adapting to Finland—even with their education and multilingual skills—was not easy.
“We rented a car to go all the way to Tampere just to get a stamp on a document—one that, as we later found out, we could’ve gotten in Helsinki,” Qureshi recalls.
“If things were this difficult for us, imagine how much harder it must be for others.”
Susan.fi is designed to simplify this process. Users can type or speak questions, and the AI provides answers in one place.
“You don’t have to visit the immigration office or Kela’s website separately,” says Qureshi.
“Many immigrants have limited language skills, and Kela staff sometimes struggle to explain things in English.”
Their other venture, Lincoln School, offers online education and training for immigrants in various professional fields.
“If an immigrant wants to work in marketing, for example, we can provide training in that field,” explains Qureshi.
Susan also helps tailor resumes to Finnish standards and automatically shares applications with other schools in the same field.
Bringing AI to Schools: Our Malta Story
I’m thrilled to see a full-page feature story on our work in Malta to bring AI to schools!
You can read the full article in the Sunday Times: https://lnkd.in/e2x2jpfB
A huge thank you to everyone who supported Aisha and me in developing a roadmap for AI integration across schools in the EU:
Sannamaaria Vanamo, Silva Paananen, Roy Eriksson, Outi Hakanen, Simon Arrigo – Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
Kenneth Vella – Maltese Ambassador to Finland and Estonia
Sami Kazi, Caj Södergård, Mikko Puhakka (溥 墨) – for ongoing advice and guidance
Tony Mizzi, Kenneth Camilleri – Ministry of Education, Malta
Jaakko Skantsi – Finnish National Agency for Education (Opetushallitus | Utbildningsstyrelsen)
Mia-Stiina Heikkala, Miikka Neuvonen, Kirsti Lonka – Helsinki Education Hub (HEH)
Teemu Seppälä, Mikko Armila, Eero Nikula, Jukka Hakola, Jochen Faugel – Helsinki Partners & Business Finland.
Ref:
Birgit Nevala, Axel Sointu, Elsa Nyman, Finnpartnership, Reetta-Liisa Viitanen, Dino Fino, Malta Enterprise, Brian Gatt, Maria Zammit Micallef, Naheed Chowdhry, Uzma Siddiqui, Jouni Eho, Juha Hiltunen
Supporting Ukrainian Education at the World Economic Forum
Why did we meet Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen at the World Economic Forum?
Supporting Ukraine
Aisha, I, and our team at Talent Bridge Finland strongly believe in the power of education. We are excited about the opportunity to contribute to rebuilding Ukraine’s education infrastructure through our AI platform, SUSAN.fi.
Making Introductions
We also introduced the Minister to our friend and philanthropist Katherine Vellinga, discussing ways to support Ukraine’s educational recovery. The Minister encouraged us to explore available instruments through Finnfund and Finnpartnership.
Ref:
Sami Kazi, Caj Södergård, Teemu Seppälä, Sannamaaria Vanamo, Outi Hakanen, Roy Eriksson, Iikka Upanne, Luis Alberto Anastacio II, Andres Suarez, Servicio Filipino, Inc., City of Riihimäki, Kirsti Lonka, Mikko Armila
Turning Talent Loss into Opportunity: The Avicenna Scholars Initiative
What happens when 10,800 millionaires leave the UK in 2024 due to new tax regulations?
Filling the Void
When one pool of talent departs, it creates opportunities for others to step in and contribute. Programs that identify and nurture emerging talent become even more critical in this landscape.
Inspiration
I recently met three dynamic individuals from the British Delegation — Safwan Habib and Imran Sanaullah MBE — who have launched The Avicenna Scholars program through the Avicenna Foundation. Their mission is to identify top talent from diverse communities, fund their education, and provide mentorship to help them grow into future leaders.
Collaboration
Growth is best achieved through collaboration. I am excited to connect them with frameworks available
through Lincoln School and Talent Bridge, in partnership with Luis Alberto Anastacio II and Andres Suarez of Servicio Filipino, Inc.. It’s inspiring to see a group that shares our vision for nurturing talent and creating impact.
References:
Sami Kazi, Caj Södergård, Mikko Puhakka (溥 墨), Zubair Anwar-Bawany, Aisha Alena, Faraz Khan MBE
Finland Leading the Way in Trust and Web3 Innovation
Why am I facilitating the Helsinki Blockchain Center in hosting Switzerland’s House of Trust in Finland?
While we were at the World Economic Forum, Trump signed executive orders to ease regulations and bring crypto into the mainstream, aiming to “make the US the crypto capital of the planet.”
Mario Draghi was right when he said the EU needs to adapt and catch up to the US.
Since Finnish society is built on trust, this gives us a unique opportunity to lead initiatives such as:
Internet of Impact
Trust Tech
DAOs for Impact
Reputation Layers / Reputation Systems
For this reason, on behalf of the Helsinki Blockchain Center, I have invited House of Trust and YesWeTrust, along with their entire network, to Finland to co-develop a forward-looking Web3 strategy.
The Finnish society is uniquely primed to lead in the “trust” space. I will be calling on my network in Helsinki to welcome our friends from Switzerland:
Markus Lehtonen, Jussi Oivukkamäki, Roberta Robin Gilardi, Franz Josef Allmayer, Alan Laubsch, Mikko Armila, Dr. Henrik Keinonen, Damon Hernandez, Mariia Bobrova, Asya Kruglova, Aisha, Helsinki XR Center, Helsinki Partners, Miikka Neuvonen, Zeeshan Abbasi, Burak Çevik, Luis Alberto Anastacio II, Andres Suarez, Servicio Filipino, Inc., Sami Kazi, Caj Södergård, Teemu Seppälä, Mikko Puhakka (溥墨), Heli Hidén, Heli Koivuniemi, Tiina Vuorio, Riihimäen kaupunki – City of Riihimäki, Jussi Salonen, Kenneth David Korhonen, Mikko Valjakka
Learning from Malta: How Bangladesh Can Benefit from AI Education Initiatives
How can Bangladesh extract value from our projects in Malta?
Today, at the World Economic Forum, we shared the story of how our Finnish colleagues—Mikko Puhakka (溥墨), Sannamaaria Vanamo, and Silva Paananen—helped us engage diplomatic channels in Malta, where we found a true champion for education: Ambassador Dr. Kenneth Vella.
Dr. Vella played a key role in launching five pilot projects, teaching #AI in three schools. You can download the full 65-page report here: https://lnkd.in/dAaJstCw
When Aisha and I met Anir Chowdhury and Renisha Bharvani, we highlighted how Malta led the way and how others can study the Malta model.
Sometimes, all it takes is a visionary like Dr. Vella to create positive ripples that inspire change elsewhere.
References: Tony Mizzi, Acquanetta Warren, Rhonesia Perry, MBA
Preparing the Workforce for an AI-Driven Future
Did You Know? 75% of Future Jobs Will Involve AI
I’m here at the World Economic Forum, ready to discuss how we are preparing people for the tech-driven careers of tomorrow.
Workforce Readiness
I met with top leaders and policy-makers to highlight the urgent need for adaptive skills in a rapidly changing global workforce. The main message is clear: it’s not about fearing AI—it’s about ensuring everyone, from seasoned professionals to new graduates, has the tools to thrive alongside emerging technology.
New Policies and Bold Action
Discussing workforce readiness requires action. We need innovators like Franz Josef Allmayer, who is working with EDIHs to build upskilling programs through forward-thinking partnerships—ensuring everyone can participate in the tech revolution, not just observe it.
We look forward to continuing this conversation with Solja Sulkunen from Finnish AI Region (FAIR EDIH), Luis Alberto Anastacio II, Andres Suarez of Servicio Filipino, Inc., and Riihimäen kaupunki – City of Riihimäki.
It was a pleasure connecting with Franz’s network, including Alan Laubsch and Angelika Hernandez-Dorendorf.
References: Markus Lehtonen, Roberta Robin Gilardi, Miikka Neuvonen
Scaling Your SaaS EdTech Platform with AI and Strategic Guidance
How do you grow your SaaS EdTech platform?
Thinking Ahead
SaaS-based platforms were all the rage a decade ago—until everyone had one. So how do you stay ahead in today’s competitive landscape?
Agentics
Leverage AI Agents to expand profit margins and optimize operations. Freeing your knowledge workers allows you to invest fully in Agentic-Ops, the next evolution of DevOps.
Find Advisors
Aisha and I have been fortunate to receive guidance from Sami Kazi, Caj Södergård, Mikko Puhakka (溥墨), and Ambassador Dr. Kenneth Vella.
Now, we are expanding our advisory network with support from Solja Sulkunen at Finnish AI Region (FAIR EDIH), who is connecting us with additional mentors like Anu Nieminen, Umair Ali Khan, and Dmitry Kudryavtsev from Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences.
Next Step: Vision Clarity
It’s exciting to aim for a #unicorn, but clarity of vision is even more important. Everyone on your team must be aligned and moving toward the same goals.
Special Thanks
We are grateful to the catalysts from Riihimäen kaupunki – City of Riihimäki: Mayor Jouni Eho, Teemu Seppälä, Samuel Koivisto, Juha Hiltunen, and Laura Manner-Raappana, as well as Helsinki Partners, including Mikko Armila, who help us set ambitious targets.
References: Satu Mäkelä, Kimmo Koponen, Kirsti Lonka
Finland AI Agentics EdTech SaaS
Doing Business in Finland: Why It’s Easier Than You Think
Is doing business in Finland easy or difficult?
Our team at Talent Bridge Finland believes it’s easy—if you know the right approach.
Our Background
Since moving to Finland, Aisha and I have brought several investors and family offices into the country, including Luis Alberto Anastacio II and Servicio Filipino, Inc., along with Andres Suarez and their leadership team. We’ve also invested alongside them, building strong local partnerships.
What Makes It Easy?
Business in Finland moves quickly if you use the proper channels, avoid shortcuts, and are clear about the problem you want to solve.
How Quick Was HAMK?
HAMK aimed to serve the talent needs of the Kanta Häme region, and we knew Asian students needed to learn Finnish before arrival. Our exploratory collaboration with Dean Lassi Martikainen at Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) was signed within just one week.
Who Should You Know?
Success in Finland relies on connections with key teams:
Riihimäen kaupunki – City of Riihimäki: Samuel Koivisto, Juha Hiltunen, Teemu Seppälä, Laura Manner-Raappana
Helsinki Partners: Mikko Armila, Solja Sulkunen
Vantaan kaupunki – City of Vantaa: Timo Helenius, Matleena Vuola, Miikka Neuvonen, Laila Bröcker
Espoon kaupunki – City of Espoo: Heli Hidén
Relevant Grants
Finland provides strong public support for legitimate projects, including grants from Business Finland, ELY-keskus (Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment), Finnpartnership, and EU programs.
We’ve compiled a helpful list of grants here: https://lnkd.in/dZMytHqV
love growth business entrepreneurship Finland
Preparing Talent for Finland: Our Discussion with Omnia Education Partnerships
What did we discuss with Omnia Education Partnerships?
Finland Needs Ready Talent
When our Talent Bridge Finland team met with Iikka Upanne, we were impressed by Omnia’s exceptional work in training talent while they are still in their home countries.
Andres and I immediately saw an opportunity to partner and explore how we can train talent to be Finland-ready before bringing them here and placing them into jobs. Our next step is to engage in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to define a framework that benefits the Finnish labor market.
Building Finland Together
Since arriving in Finland, Aisha and I have focused on identifying potential talent in markets like the Philippines, in collaboration with Servicio Filipino, Inc. and Luis Alberto Anastacio II.
Talent Work Finland
Exploring an AI Chatbot Testbed with the City of Vantaa
Aisha and I had the pleasure of bumping into our dear friend Timo Helenius, now with Vantaan kaupunki – City of Vantaa, and we shared our AI Chatbot with him. We proposed running a testbed in Vantaa, and he welcomed the idea.
Next, we’ll reach out to our network—including Laila Bröcker, Miikka Neuvonen, Matleena Vuola, and Olli-Pekka Mäkirintala—to plan our visit and set things in motion.
Our partners from Servicio Filipino, Inc., Luis and Andres, visiting from the Philippines, were pleasantly surprised at how quickly we can turn ideas into action.
Slush AI Helsinki
Making AI Testbeds Happen with Business Helsinki
Aisha and I were discussing our AI Chatbot with Marjo Kenttälä from Business Helsinki and asked if we could arrange a testbed.
Marjo responded enthusiastically—she can make it happen.
It’s clear that Business Helsinki is a true change-maker, driving innovation and collaboration in the city.
Slush AI Helsinki
Closing the Urakka.app Deal: A Timeline of Collaboration
What does it take to close a deal?
May 2024
Luis and Andres (🇵🇭) met Houssein and Mika (🇫🇮) to start the conversation.
July & August
I nurtured the deal, advising Houssein on next steps and guiding the process forward.
September
Aisha and I invited Houssein to a lunch at Tapiola Golf, joined by Mayor Jouni Eho and other city officials from Riihimäen kaupunki – City of Riihimäki (Teemu Seppälä & Samuel Koivisto), strengthening connections and alignment.
🎉 November: Urakka.app Deal Done! 🎉
Special Thanks
To KIRAHub, Teemu Lehtinen, Maryam Ahyani Siddiqah-Oinonen, and Damon Hernandez for arranging the initial meeting back in May.
Slush AI DealFlow Helsinki
Fast-Tracking an AI Chatbot Testbed in Espoo
Aisha and I were exploring a testbed in Espoo for our AI Chatbot, and Heli Hidén overheard our conversation. She immediately suggested a clear path forward.
Heli is truly an amazing change-maker!
Our partners, Luis Alberto Anastacio II and Andres Suarez from Servicio Filipino, Inc., visiting from the Philippines, were very impressed with how quickly things can move in Finland.
A big thank you to Heli for making it happen!
Slush AI Helsinki
Launching Our Finnish Journey with Helsinki Education Hub
Aisha and I began our journey in Finland at the Helsinki Education Hub (HEH), and they gave us the push that every startup needs. HEH is truly a change-maker.
As we expand partnerships with universities, we’re excited to bring family offices, led by Luis Alberto Anastacio II and his team Andres Suarez from Servicio Filipino, Inc., to Finland.
Slush AI Helsinki
Connecting People, Creating Opportunities
Aisha and I are truly fortunate to know an amazing change-maker, Damon Hernandez, who is always connecting people and opening doors to potential deal flow.
A big thank you to Damon for introducing the leadership team of Servicio Filipino, Inc. — Luis Alberto Anastacio II and Andres Suarez — to Jonathan Hull and Aleksi Komu of ThingLink.
Slush Helsinki AI
Encouraging More Female Founders in Tech
Aisha and I have made so many meaningful connections through Angeliki Papagiannopoulou and Tech Nordic Advocates. Today, we had the pleasure of meeting Jeanette Carlsson and discussing ways to encourage more female founders to actively participate in the tech ecosystem.
WomenInTech Slush Helsinki AI
Building AI Agents and Supporting Family Offices in Finland
As Aisha and I expand our AI Agents portfolio, we are grateful for the support of Solja Sulkunen from Finnish AI Region (FAIR EDIH).
We are now helping Asian family offices, like Servicio Filipino, Inc., establish operations in Finland and leverage the country’s robust support ecosystem.
Our goal is to ensure leadership teams, including Luis Alberto Anastacio II and Andres Suarez, can fully benefit from what Finland has to offer.
A special thank you to Umair Ali Khan for his valuable guidance and contributions.
Slush Helsinki AI
How Testbeds in Vantaa Enable Innovation and Collaboration
Aisha and I can succeed in Finland thanks to the testbeds provided by Vantaan kaupunki – City of Vantaa and their incredible leadership team: Matleena Vuola, Miikka Neuvonen, Laila Bröcker, and Olli-Pekka Mäkirintala.
The services and support from Vantaa enable us to bring in Asian family offices, such as Servicio Filipino, Inc., along with their leadership Luis Alberto Anastacio II and Andres Suarez, to Finland.
Succeeding in Finland with the Support of Changemakers
Aisha and I have been able to succeed in Finland thanks to #changemakers like Mikko Armila and his team at Helsinki Partners.
Helsinki Partners played a crucial role in helping us bring Asian family offices, including Servicio Filipino, Inc. and its leaders Luis Alberto Anastacio II and Andres Suarez, to Finland.
Slush Helsinki AI
Launching Innovation at Slush with HEH
The best way to get Slush started is with Kirsti Lonka at the Helsinki Education Hub (HEH).
Why Partnering with Gaming Companies Makes Sense for EdTech
Why should we partner with gaming companies like Gameness by Burak Çevik?
Aisha and I run an EdTech venture, Lincoln Method, and we’ve realized that gamers are our perfect target audience. Partnering with innovative gaming companies allows us to engage this audience effectively and creatively.
Special thanks to Sami Kazi, Caj Södergård, Mikko Puhakka (溥墨), and Atakan Karataş for their guidance and support.
Building Partnerships with HAMK Through Riihimäki
A special thank you to Riihimäen kaupunki – City of Riihimäki for introducing us to the leadership team at Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK).
References: Aisha, Samuel Koivisto, Lassi Martikainen, Juha Hiltunen, Andres Suarez, Luis Alberto Anastacio II
The Benefits of Attending Work in Finland Events
Why is it extremely beneficial to attend events organized by Work in Finland?
Background
Aisha and I have been actively working in the Philippines since 2009 on national skill development projects, guided by mandates from The World Bank and supported by the Department of Labor and Employment.
In Finland
When we meet fellow Filipinos like Christine Catolico Tilja at events hosted by Work in Finland, we naturally discover opportunities to collaborate and contribute to meaningful projects.
Who Made It Happen
A special thank you to the Business Finland team—Santeri Ojala, Shalini Sharma, Van Anh Le, and the rest—for hosting such a wonderful event. It was a pleasure meeting new friends, including Swetha Gopalakrishnan and Serhii Shramov.
Rethinking College Degrees: An Evening of Insightful Discussion
Why did we spend the evening talking about college degrees at Nazia Kanwal’s place?
Consider these numbers:
Average student loan debt: $54,000 in the UK, $27,000 in the US
Total US student loan debt: $1.74 trillion
Graduates are struggling to find jobs, raising critical questions about the value of traditional degrees.
Questions to Think About
How much importance are employers placing on college degrees during hiring?
Will micro-certifications become more relevant than a traditional college degree?
It was an amazing discussion with @Kashif Faheem, I Babar Hussain, Hanan Naeem, and Waleed Ahmed.
Why HR Managers in Finland Should Watch the New Generation of Asian Students
Why should HR managers in Finland keep an eye on the new generation of Asian students?
They Contribute to the Economy
Asian students who come to Finland for Master’s or PhD programs often become valuable contributors to the Finnish economy.
They Don’t Become a Burden to Kela
Asian students represent the smallest group relying on Kela’s social services, demonstrating they integrate responsibly without burdening society.
They Are High Achievers
Students from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Philippines have consistently been high achievers. We are excited to help the new batch of students grow into leadership roles and collectively move #Finland forward.
Over the weekend, I met three promising students—Bilal Ahmed, Abdul Rehman, and Muhammad Abdullah—and we look forward to seeing the positive and responsible impact they will make, just like their predecessors.
How Finland Can Help Asian Youth Power the AI Economy
How can Finland help Asian youth power the new AI economy?
Through our work in Finland, Aisha and I have seen firsthand how AI is transforming industries. We are excited to help schools across Asia contextualize AI curricula to meet local needs and unlock real-world impact in key sectors:
AI in Agriculture
Imagine using a simple mobile device to detect crop diseases early—protecting millions of livelihoods and strengthening food security.
AI in Healthcare
AI-powered tools on mobile devices can make healthcare more accessible, even in rural areas, while improving outcomes across the board.
AI in Food Production
Robotics and AI are optimizing food processing, enabling more sustainable systems that can meet the demands of growing populations.
AI in Business & Trade
AI empowers small businesses to compete globally through automation, efficiency, and data-driven insights.
We are proud to work with our partners Servicio Filipino, Inc., Luis Alberto Anastacio II, and Andres Suarez to help schools across Asia transition into the AI economy.
Recently in Paris, we also met the inspiring Fajer Rabia, who was speaking at UNESCO on advancing girls’ education. Leaders like Fajer are truly worth supporting.
AI Future Education
Celebrating Vision and Leadership: Caj Södergård
Why are we celebrating our Board member, Caj Södergård?
Sami Kazi (also a member of our Board) introduced Caj to our Board last year—and it has made a remarkable difference.
Caj is one of Finland’s most experienced scientists and a brilliant mind in AI. His insight and guidance continue to shape our thinking and direction.
Today, Aisha and I are celebrating Caj’s vision for expanding our network and engaging with Finnish and Swedish family offices.
Thank you, Caj!
How Finland Is Supporting Our International Growth Strategy
How is Finland supporting our growth strategy?
Highest-Level Engagement
When Kirsti Lonka introduced me to the newly appointed Ambassador of Education, Outi Hakanen, she
immediately understood our work in the EdTech space. She recommended that I attend the GGGI seminar to explore how Finnish education solutions can support TVET initiatives globally.
The Ambassador also personally reached out to Mikko Halonen and Tero Raassina to ensure our inclusion in the seminar.
A Well-Planned Seminar
During the event, we gained valuable insights into the impactful work being carried out by GGGI in:
Vietnam – GGGI Viet Nam
Indonesia – Regional GGGI team
Philippines – GGGI Philippines
Aisha and I are truly grateful for the strong support we receive from Finland as we scale Lincoln Method into international markets. We are especially interested in deepening collaboration with our partners at Servicio Filipino, Inc., led by Luis Alberto Anastacio II and Andres Suarez.
Finland’s Role in Preparing EU Education for the AI Era
How can Finland contribute to the AI-readiness of educational institutions in the EU?
Dinner Conversations
Aisha and I discussed:
“If Big Tech aims to create 10 billion robots and countless AI Agents, we need to rethink and elevate the curriculum at educational institutions so that students remain relevant in the future workforce.”
Who Is Leading the Way
Ambassador Dr. Kenneth Vella has been at the forefront, initiating conversations and advocating for AI-ready educational institutions