Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible women founders shaping the Finnish startup landscape. From deep tech to consumer products, women-led startups drive innovation, build impactful businesses, and redefine industries.
According to research by the Finnish Startup Community, only around 10% of startup founders are women. However, this share is steadily increasing, notes FSC’s chief economist, Youssef Zad. In 2006, women made up less than 5% of new startup founders, but by 2019, this figure had risen to approximately 16% —a threefold increase in just over a decade.
We interviewed three women founders from our community, and they shared with us why they decided to start a startup.
Charlotta Topelius, Curifylabs
“My mother was an entrepreneur, and I grew up surrounded by entrepreneurship in many ways. This gave me the courage and inspiration to build my future as a business owner. I’m a hard-working girl and I love sales. For me it feels purposeful to put energy in creating something of your own. I love execution and that things happen and maybe that is why my former manager said that he had to hire 4 persons to cover for me when I resigned. Finland is a small country and it’s encouraging seeing the local startup ecosystem grow in the past years. I feel at home meeting other founders and startup minded people with a passion to change the world. FSC brings a lot of value to the rocky startup founder journey and peer support is incredibly valuable.
As founder you get to create a company culture and an atmosphere that you enjoy and believe in. The best part is to hire people smarter than yourself. It’s fantastic to learn new things and enjoy the fruits of smart people coming together, solving complex problems which are meaningful to solve.”
Natalia Rincón, CHAOS
“My path to entrepreneurship wasn’t traditional, and that’s what makes it beautiful. Despite growing up with an entrepreneur father, I initially dreamed different dreams – I wanted to be an astronaut, to explore the unknown. Like many women, I dared to imagine beyond conventional paths.
Growing up in a family that valued intellectual curiosity – with an entrepreneur father and professor mother – I learned to question the status quo and think creatively. These qualities became fundamental to who I am, and they’re traits I see in so many brilliant women leaders today.
My passion for technology and design led me to pursue dual careers in computer science and architecture. As a woman in tech, I brought a unique perspective to these traditionally male-dominated fields.
When I combined my love for technology and design with an innate drive to improve things, my entrepreneurial calling became clear. I realized that my diverse background wasn’t a detour – it was preparation for creating something truly innovative. This is the power of embracing our unique journeys as women in business.”
Sari Hurme-Mehtälä, Kide Science
“I never planned to become a startup founder, but looking back, every step led me here. With a background in marketing and business development, I loved working with innovative ideas, but I wanted to create something truly meaningful.
My turning point came when I discovered the groundbreaking early childhood education research of Professor Jenni Vartiainen. We shared a vision: to make science fun and accessible for all kids—especially girls. That’s how Kide Science was born.
As a mother, leader, and entrepreneur, I’ve faced challenges—balancing family life, fundraising, and navigating the male-dominated startup world. But I refused to let obstacles stop me. I believed in my mission, surrounded myself with strong people, and kept going.
Today, Kide Science is inspiring the next generation of young scientists, proving that when women lead, we create real change. This journey has taught me that we don’t have to choose between ambition and family, innovation and care—we can have it all.
To every woman dreaming of starting something new: you are capable, you are strong, and the world needs your ideas.”
Supporting women founders isn’t just about equality—it’s about unlocking untapped potential, fostering economic growth, and ensuring that the best ideas, regardless of the founder’s gender, have the opportunity to thrive.