Digital 52 4️⃣7️⃣ - On supporting students and researchers through coworking spaces: the story of Helsinki Think Company.

Today’s story will take you to Helsinki, the capital of Finland. What’s there? A fascinating story involving public institutions, students, researchers and… coworking!

Read the full story of Helsinki Think Company on page 47 of “Around The World in 250 Coworking Spaces” 

In the previous 52 digital releases, you've encountered diverse motives behind the inception of coworking spaces. And now, here's yet another intriguing one, featuring… public institutions! Right in the heart of Helsinki, the capital city of Finland, two institutions have united their efforts to establish coworking spaces that are freely accessible to its citizens. Why embark on such an endeavor? How does it practically function? What’s in it for both institutions? Join us in exploring the story of Helsinki Think Company. 

➡️ A little refresher

Who’s behind the featured space?

Helsinki Think Company is an initiative started by both the University of Helsinki and the city of Helsinki. Both entities recognized a need for a space dedicated to entrepreneurship, learning by doing, and co-creating ideas.

The story goes a bit deeper than this, make sure to scroll down below to read our follow-up interview with the Helsinki Think Company team. 

➡️ Key Figures

• Opening year: 2013
• Size when they started: 1 space in Helsinki
• Size today: 4 spaces across the city 

➡️ A little tour around Helsinki Think Company

➡️ Behind-the-scenes

Things you didn't read in aw250cs

➡️ Helsinki Think Company Today

What are things looking like today at Helsinki Think Company? We’ve asked that exact question to Jani Lehto, Location Manager of 1 of the 4 locations the brand currently runs. The overarching message of our chat with him revolved around growth. Not just in size, but mainly and most importantly in their reach, positive impact, and awareness within the local community. 

💫 An evolving team, growing in size and in number of locations. 

💬 I’d like to start by asking you: what’s new at Helsinki Think Company since September 2021? 

Since September 2021, we have enthusiastically transitioned back to a fully on-site operation. This means that all our campuses and coworking spaces are now open without any limitations, providing a vibrant and unrestricted environment. Our current CEO has successfully led the way for a full year, bringing her valuable insights and direction to the company. 

Furthermore, this year marks a significant milestone - our 10-year anniversary, a testament to a decade of dedicated work and progress. 

💬You guys started in 2012, why did the University of Helsinki and the City of Helsinki launch such an initiative?

The company's origins lie in its connection to an academic-to-action course at the University of Helsinki. It began with external funding, and a group of students and researchers came together to establish the company as part of that course. This affiliation with the university continued for a few years, during which the value of the project's outcomes, driven by the students and researchers, became evident. As a result, the university chose to sustain the effort, allowing it to continue with funding for several years.

However, when the funding eventually came to an end, the former course members made the decision to transform it into a fully-fledged, independent company and organization. What was initially an element of a course has now grown into an independent entity. Our focus now encompasses providing services to the University of Helsinki and the city of Helsinki.

💬 How is Helsinki Think Company structured? 

We operate as an association-led company, a unique setup that sets the foundation for our operations. Those who own our company are the ones who drive it forward, and under their stewardship, we undertake projects that resonate with our mission. Our organization is predominantly steered by university students, catering to the needs of fellow students.

Among us, there are a number of part-time employees who are either pursuing their studies in various universities within the thriving metropolitan region or who are linked to academic research and entrepreneurship in some capacity. This student-driven dynamic nearly entirely governs our operations. 

This commitment is our pledge to serve as a catalyst for the emergence of future professionals, integrating academic knowledge with impactful endeavors.

Our primary role involves providing a workspace and being an employer to students at the onset of their academic journey. This offers them the opportunity to blossom into experts, assuming the roles of knowledgeable contributors and icons within their academic or early career trajectories. Our modus operandi naturally leads to a revolving door of students at varying stages of their studies, as they explore diverse paths during their educational journeys.

Adapting to change is intrinsic to our ten-year-old company. As we celebrate our decade-long journey, it's only natural that our leadership evolves too. We're now on our third CEO, a testament to the dynamic nature of our structure. Our organizational philosophy hinges on the notion that individuals are a temporary loan to our cause; we don't possess them, but instead, they join us for a certain period. Their experiences and insights enrich our collective knowledge, which we then integrate into our ongoing endeavors. It's a natural cycle that propels our organization forward.

💬 How has Helsinki Think Company evolved over the years? 

I believe we've undergone substantial evolution across multiple dimensions. To begin, our growth over the entire span of our ten-year journey has been remarkable.

 Initially, we operated a solitary coworking space situated at the heart of the university's central campus. Over time, our presence has expanded significantly. We embarked on a journey of expansion, establishing coworking spaces across four campuses. This expansion saw us extending to the agriculture and biosciences, veterinary services, medical campus, and culminating in the most recent addition in 2020 at Kumpula, which houses natural sciences and mathematics disciplines. This growth is emblematic of our company's evolution.

Our progress isn't limited to physical expansion. Our employee count has burgeoned, and our brand has undergone consistent transformations. Remaining attuned to prevailing trends, we've aligned our programs, activities, and events to stay at the forefront. 

Vigilant to societal shifts, we keep a finger on the pulse of ongoing discussions, both within the Finnish context and on the broader European stage. This proactive approach ensures that our content remains relevant and engaging for students and researchers alike, enabling us to contribute effectively to the broader discourse that shapes our society.

💬 You guys run 4 locations how do you create a sense of community running spaces across different areas of town?

Given our presence across four distinct locations, we've naturally established four separate campus teams. I personally lead the team at the Meilahti campus, which happens to be our medical campus. 

Here's an insight into how things are structured: within the confines of Meilahti, our operational base occupies a specific building where we've set up our campus study area. Remarkably, this space is shared with health tech startups, creating a dynamic environment.

Our strategic positioning near study and research facilities fortifies our connectivity with students and teaching staff. This symbiotic relationship extends to the relevant companies intertwined within this academic sphere. To truly comprehend the needs and aspirations of this community, we engage in open dialogue. This involves probing questions about their current requirements and future visions for Meilahti in the upcoming years. By forging this candid exchange, we ensure our initiatives are precisely aligned with the evolving landscape.

A key facet of our approach is our nuanced understanding of community dynamics. 

Rather than fostering a monolithic company-wide community, we're committed to showcasing the distinct characteristics of each campus. 

We find value in highlighting the individual traits that define each space. It's through these specialized campus communities and specific activities that we weave together a larger tapestry. This interconnectedness stems from the unity of smaller units, creating a cohesive whole.

Ultimately, our ambition to be present at the campuses is unwavering. This physical presence remains central to our ethos, reinforcing our commitment to engaging deeply and fostering meaningful interactions. 

Each space holds its own distinct identity. Take our Central Campus in the city, for instance. It's often abuzz with visitors, and it serves as a bustling hub for independent entrepreneurs and freelancers. The community vibe there is palpable, as these individuals come together, collaborating and sharing experiences. This camaraderie extends to interactions over meals and coffee breaks, allowing them to forge connections they might lack within their own solitary ventures.

Moving on to the Kumpula Campus, its proximity to students brings a unique dynamic. The campus boasts a makerspace, a haven for crafting personalized devices and conducting minor electrical work using components. This feature sets it apart as a hub for hands-on innovation.

Here in Meilahti, where I am now, the view from my window encapsulates the proximity to both students and health tech companies. Our locale boasts a robust startup scene, particularly intertwined with innovations in the realm of food, agriculture, and biosciences.

Each campus distinctly cultivates its own set of features and activities, creating an array of experiences that set them apart from each other. Yet, despite these differences, our overarching philosophy of welcoming and treating people with the same core principles remains consistent. From an initial glance, our coworking spaces might appear similarly inviting, but spending time within them unveils the tapestry of diverse activities underway. It's this symphony of varying activities that enriches the distinct atmosphere of each space.

➡️ Reflections on building Helsinki Think Company

💬 If you could do one thing differently in the journey of Helsinki Think Company what would it be?

This is quite a challenging question. Given our emphasis on teaching entrepreneurship across diverse scales and conducting comprehensive workshops on piloting, learning, and measurement, we foster an environment where trying is paramount. This mindset permeates our organizational ethos: when an idea surfaces, we embark on its execution with a willingness to learn, even if it leads to failure. Consequently, our constant pursuit of innovative approaches has solidified itself as a cornerstone of our identity.

So, considering this, I believe I might express a desire to further amplify my willingness to embrace novel initiatives. Within our company, there's an unwavering belief that venturing into uncharted territories is essential. In essence, there's no limit to how often one can explore new avenues or experiments. Each attempt, successful or otherwise, contributes to our collective knowledge and growth.

💬 What has been your biggest learning so far working for Helsinki Think Company?

Before I commenced my work here, my exposure to entrepreneurship or specialized academic entrepreneurship was limited. My preconceived notions primarily revolved around the possibilities of pursuing a career in research or some other facet of corporate life. However, my time within this organization has proved transformative. I've garnered an extensive understanding of knowledge transfer processes and entrepreneurship as a whole. This enlightenment has been a direct result of engaging with various individuals—be it through in-depth conversations, posing questions to entrepreneurs, visiting our spaces, or actively participating in coffee-time discussions.

This immersive experience has taught me a great deal. The value of communication and networking has been particularly pronounced. My interactions with people from different walks of life have illuminated the essence of what it truly means to embrace entrepreneurship in Finland, within academia, and across the broader European landscape.

💬 What would be your best advice to someone thinking about opening a coworking space?

I believe that it's important for them to truly focus on who they are providing their coworking space for. They should make a sincere effort to identify their target group, so they can swiftly establish a focused community. 

In the realm of coworking spaces, there are many options available to people. However, it's not just about having an office-like setting where you rent a room and work alone. To me, a coworking space should be a shared environment where individuals collaborate, fostering a strong sense of belonging and community. Thus, my advice would be to prioritize building a vibrant community first, as other aspects will naturally fall into place around it.

💬 If you could chat with coworking operators now, what would you like to ask them? 

💬 And if you could chat with members of coworking spaces? 

I might have two questions, one of which is more practical. I would inquire about the facilities they actually require and what they are searching for when exploring or selecting working spaces. This pertains to the tangible, physical aspects. Additionally, I would inquire about the services they hold in high regard and those they anticipate having, such as ones that might be expected to be provided free of charge. 

Moreover, I'd be interested in knowing about any supplementary services they might consider paying for. The answer to this would vary depending on the nature of their work environment. My intention is to understand their true needs and what they feel is lacking. By gathering this information, we can better tailor the atmosphere and services, ensuring that time and effort are not expended on activities that aren't valued.

💬 Last but not least, where would you want to bring Helsinki Think Company next?

I believe our aspiration is to elevate our company into an even more impactful role within the Finnish and European Entrepreneurial Society. We aim to become a prominent presence, actively contributing to ongoing events and discussions on various subjects. Our goal is for our brand to be synonymous with a welcoming and inviting community, open to anyone with an interest in academic entrepreneurship or engaging conversations on current topics.

Join us on Discord to discuss the story of Helsinki Think Company!