START Business in North Karelia

• When?    Thursday, September 24, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Where?   Carelicum auditorium / Koskikatu 5, 80100 Joensuu (access to the ground floor via the main entrance lobby)

Info

START Business in North Karelia is an event intended for people with a foreign background (living in North Karelia) who are interested in starting a business.

The language of the event is English. After the presentations, participants will be divided into groups, with interpretation available in English, Ukrainian, Russian and Arabic.

Program

9.00                Opening of the event - Asko Miettinen, Chair of the North Karelia Employment Area Board

9.15                Panel discussion implemented by the EMMA project (change of ownership of a company) - Gyöngyi Mátray, Pohjois-Karjalan Yrittäjät ry

9.45                Statement by educational institutions

10.00              Introducing group leaders, division into groups

10.10              Group discussions (20 minutes x 5)

13.00              The event concludes

After the group division, the groups will rotate between different discussion points. Interpreters will be available to assist during the discussions.

Group discussion topics

1. Ruokavirasto (Finnish Food Authority), licensing matters – Mia Hackling, Health Inspector
2. Tips for marketing and customer acquisition – Juha Forsblom, Luotsi
3. Business services in the North Karelia region
4. Information about study programmes and educational institution services
5. Luotsi’s entrepreneurship coaches – Katja Pippuri, Sini Hulkkonen and Tiina Köngäs

The event is free of charge and open to anyone interested in the topic.

Welcome to discuss entrepreneurship with us!