President Stubb to business owners in keynote: “I thank each and every one of you – risk-taker, reformer and growth-creator”

President of the Republic Alexander Stubb delivered the keynote address at the gala dinner of the National Entrepreneur Days on Saturday in Tampere.

The National Entrepreneur Days culminated in the Saturday evening entrepreneurship gala in Tampere. President of the Republic Alexander Stubb delivered the keynote speech.

In his speech, the president highlighted the changing world order and the fact that the world has become more difficult to predict.

“We are now living in a phase of world history in which balance has not yet been found. We see growing protectionism, and tariff wars create economic uncertainty. In addition, the ongoing conflicts, especially Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and the war in Gaza, have weakened citizens’ faith in the future. This is also visible in the economy and in your everyday life as entrepreneurs.

“In the midst of disorder it is important to keep a cool head and consider how prevailing developments affect the world and how we can influence them. For an entrepreneur this is self-evident. Success requires constant monitoring of your business’s operating environment, analysis of what lies ahead, and fresh thinking. The ability to reinvent, which you entrepreneurs have in your DNA.”

“Every opportunity for success”

Stubb says geopolitics and the economy have become increasingly intertwined, and the shift in the world order requires openness from all Finns to acknowledge altered realities.

“We have every opportunity for success. Our reputation with other Western countries is good. We are a new NATO country that has not neglected investments in credible defence and comprehensive security over recent decades. The long-term construction of the transatlantic relationship is now bearing fruit; our reputation in the United States and elsewhere in the world rests on a very strong foundation. This opens opportunities to increase exports.”

The president also highlighted the icebreaker cooperation agreement concluded with the United States and its significance for the entire maritime industry value chain, which also includes SME subcontractors.

“In addition, we possess important, critical expertise in network technologies, quantum technology and satellite technologies that is valuable to the United States and other Western partners.”

Stubb said Finland also has every opportunity to attract more data centre investments to the country.

“Our security situation is stable and energy availability sufficient, providing sound fundamentals for growth prospects in the sector. Across Finland, numerous data centre projects are already under way, and they are important investments for regional economies.

“In addition to their regional significance, these investments increase Finland’s opportunities to benefit more broadly from the ongoing fifth industrial revolution.”

Stubb emphasized the importance of the recent broad parliamentary agreement on the debt brake.

“Agreement on a long-term policy is also an important signal to you entrepreneurs and to international financiers who are considering Finland as a potential investment. I am inclined towards realistic optimism and believe that a turnaround in the economy lies ahead. Business cycle forecasts cautiously suggest this, and the latest Yrittäjägallup survey indicates a slight improvement in the SME sector. Russia’s war of aggression still creates uncertainty in many industries, but data from the technology industry also shows order books in cautious growth.”

Cooperation is the safeguard of a small nation

The president reminded the gala audience that cooperation is the best safeguard and greatest strength of a small nation.

“Finland has risen before and will rise again.

“I thank each and every one of you – risk-taker, reformer and growth-creator. Finland can succeed only if Finnish companies succeed,” the president concluded.

“This isn’t a job, it’s a way of life”

The president also spoke in his keynote address about entrepreneurship in his own family.

“I am the son of an entrepreneur. My grandfather died when my father was only 16 years old. As a result my father Göran had to leave school after the ninth grade to help his mother and siblings. His journey included many different businesses, from hair-growth shampoo to plastic Tico Tico slapshot blades. His longest career was in his own company as an NHL head scout. He did that for forty years. And he isn’t really retired even now; after all, he is only 90 years old.”

The president added that he had admired his father’s entrepreneurship and perseverance throughout his life.

“Now and then I helped along the way, whether bottling shampoo or transporting slapshot blades. My father never really took long breaks. When some twenty years ago I asked when he intended to retire from his position as the NHL’s European head scout, he said: ‘This isn’t a job, it’s a way of life.’ Such is an entrepreneur’s philosophy and everyday reality. Thank you for everything you do, and thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today.”

Original Finnish article amended on 26 Oct. 2025 at 17.00: Alternative quotation from the speech added to the headline.

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