Entrepreneurship societies and their grassroots activities
Published on 02 July 2018
Finland
Etelä-Suomi
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Entrepreneurship societies have raised the public profile of start-ups, celebrated successful entrepreneurs and made entrepreneurship a desirable career path for young people
Entrepreneurship Societies or equivalent are voluntary organisations within Universities that promote entrepreneurship by throwing events, offering networks and by taking part in the developing of entrepreneurial operations in universities. Their idea is to inspire entrepreneurs (-to-be) and help people to work for their own ideas and dreams. Emphasis is mostly on idea development and entrepreneurship activation including how to find good teams.
As an example, Aalto Entrepreneurship Society is the largest and most active student-run entrepreneurship community in Europe. It organises more than 100 events a year, something for everyone interested in start-ups and entrepreneurship. Aaltoes community offers a large variety of inspiring talks and insights related to the scene. All of Aaltoes events and programs are in English and free-of-charge.
Most of Helsinki-Uusimaa region universities have now Entrepreneurships society kind of activities including Aalto University, Arcada University of Applied Sciences, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Hanken, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and University of Helsinki.
Entrepreneurship Societies or equivalent are voluntary organisations within Universities that promote entrepreneurship by throwing events, offering networks and by taking part in the developing of entrepreneurial operations in universities. Their idea is to inspire entrepreneurs (-to-be) and help people to work for their own ideas and dreams. Emphasis is mostly on idea development and entrepreneurship activation including how to find good teams.
As an example, Aalto Entrepreneurship Society is the largest and most active student-run entrepreneurship community in Europe. It organises more than 100 events a year, something for everyone interested in start-ups and entrepreneurship. Aaltoes community offers a large variety of inspiring talks and insights related to the scene. All of Aaltoes events and programs are in English and free-of-charge.
Most of Helsinki-Uusimaa region universities have now Entrepreneurships society kind of activities including Aalto University, Arcada University of Applied Sciences, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Hanken, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and University of Helsinki.
Expert opinion
This is an interesting example from Finland, where a network of Entrepreneurship Societies has emerged as voluntary organizations within universities. These societies organize entrepreneurship events, promote networking and support idea development as a way of popularizing entrepreneurship and promoting student startups. The concept of Entrepreneurship Societies has spread all over the Helsinki-Uusimaa region and the idea has high replication potential in other contexts as well, but it has to be borne in mind that this is a students’ grassroots activity that relies on voluntary work. Public support to boost the reach and impact of these societies would naturally be welcome.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
All of ES rely on voluntary work and building a community is an essential part of ES. There usually aren’t many if any fulltime people working for ES. Universities and cities support these activities financially. Main resource is the spirit and positive attitude towards entrepreneurship.
Evidence of success
Aaltoes (2016) reached about 10000 people (100 as team members, 250 strong alumni network). ThinkCompany (2016) 498 events, e.g. 4UNI solution competition offered unique solutions to tackle problems in theme frameworks such as Future of Work, Health Gap and World Changers. Laureaes holds 20 entrepreneurship events annually and there are around 50 active members in community arranging. Events vary from Pitch & Beer (pitching event in bar environment) to Cambridge Venture Camp.
Potential for learning or transfer
For HEIs there is a learning possibility in a sense that they should trust and could give societies/students more responsibility to carry out e.g. entrepreneurship activation work. For example, Cambridge Venture Camp is an intensive two week entrepreneurship camp at Cambridge, UK (one week in Finland, one in Cambridge) organized by Laureaes in cooperation with Laurea University of applied Sciences. Supportive attitude towards ES activity within HEI is important. A work space, some funding, active founding members, support and trust from HEI are the key elements. When marketing ES activities entrepreneurship and establishing an own company is not necessarily the target as such, but it is a tool to use/sell your competence.
Students’ grass root activity has been clear phenomenon in Finland. Societies‘ work help those interested get started, gather a team and let you try on your own. Peer to per community also gives members possibilities to learn from those who are more experienced.
Students’ grass root activity has been clear phenomenon in Finland. Societies‘ work help those interested get started, gather a team and let you try on your own. Peer to per community also gives members possibilities to learn from those who are more experienced.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Aaltoes /Aalto University, Arcadaes Arcada University of Applied Sciences, Haaga-Heliaes /Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Hankenes / Hanken, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Metropoliaes / Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and Th
Finland
Etelä-Suomi
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