Nominate the Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2020!

The Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition, organized by Suomen Yrittäjät, is the most respected national contest for young business owners.

“We are looking for entrepreneur entrants who are successful and innovative in their fields and have shown an exceptionally entrepreneurial attitude. Through this competition, we want to show that young people are strong, and to share positive entrepreneurial stories, particularly with the younger generation,” says network manager Aicha Manai.

Suomen Yrittäjät has been accepting nominations for the competition for the past four years. Last year almost 400 nominations were submitted from all over Finland. Anyone may submit a nomination.The notifications are sent to the candidate’s regional association, which considers it in officially naming its candidates.

The winner will be revealed in May.

The young entrepreneurs nominated for the combination must have been born on or after 1 January 1984. The business must have been in operation for at least three years. The entrepreneur may also be continuing a family business.

If the business has several owners, the young nominee aged 36 or under must own at least 50% of its shares. The business must have the requirements for continued success and have its finances in order.

The competition is divided into regional pre-competitions that decide the Suomen Yrittäjät regional associations’ Young Entrepreneurs of the Year and the nominees for the national round. The five best candidates are selected as finalists.

The national Young Entrepreneur of the Year will be revealed at the Young Entrepreneurs’ Get Together event at the Järvisydän Hotel & Spa Resort in Rantasalmi on 15–16 May 2020.

Last year’s winners from Savo, South Karelia and Central Finland

The reigning Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2019 is Jarna Kaplas, who runs the container restaurant Morton in Savo. Second place last year went to Arttu Muukkonen, who runs the Lehmus Roastery in South Karelia, and third place went to Johannes Karjula of Trustmary Group, based in Central Finland, which helps improve customer experience. 

You can read the competition instructions and criteria (in Finnish) in more detail on the competition website and nominate an entrepreneur using this form. Nominations must be submitted by 14 February 2020. Submit a nominee and be in with a chance to win tickets to Get Together!

Further information: Network Manager Aicha Manai, Suomen Yrittäjät, tel. +358 44 555 3220