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Supergrowers are emerging in Finland - but who will own them in the future? In Finland, companies are growing that could be 10 times larger than they are now. Why aren't politicians reacting? Today at 10:00 "A structural transformation of the Finnish economy is underway. By the 2030s, Finland will be a technology- and growth-company-driven economy," predicts Jyri Engeström, partner at Lifeline Ventures, on the Markkinaraati program. In Finland, it's common to think that startups are small and insignificant, but according to Engeström, it's time to revise these perceptions. There are numerous rapidly accelerating companies here that will soon grow to rival and surpass current large listed companies. "These companies could be satellite firms or even those building nuclear reactors," he says. As an early-stage venture capital firm, Lifeline Ventures has extensive experience with Finnish unicorns, having invested in nearly all of them: Supercell, Wolt, Oura, Iceye, and Aiven. 0 seconds of 13 minutes, 16 seconds Volume 0% The fruits are being harvested elsewhere. On Markkinaraati, experts ponder how at least some of the growth benefits could also be retained in Finland. Currently, startups needing growth-stage funding almost always have to seek the majority of their financing from abroad, and with that, the fruits of growth flow out of the country. "In Finland, risks have been taken, challenges overcome, and incredible global companies created, and it's possible that these companies will grow 10 times larger," Engeström says. "Unfortunately, Finnish ownership has diluted to about one-tenth, while the majority is held by American companies." It's important to hold onto supergrowers because they can be not only economically but also strategically significant for Finland. "They are critical companies for infrastructure, defense, and the functionality of the entire society, and we should own more of them than we do currently," Engeström says. Oura didn't wake up politicians. Ownership doesn't have to flow abroad, experts emphasize. The Finnish startup community has listed proposals to better retain companies. One key issue is the availability of growth-stage financing. Early-stage funding is available in Finland, but often the B-round is raised from abroad. The Oulu-based smart ring company Oura recently announced it is moving its headquarters to the United States. Behind the decision was better access to capital. According to Riikka Pakarinen, CEO of the Finnish startup community, it was somewhat surprising that politicians barely reacted to Oura's decision. "When a paper machine unfortunately closes somewhere in Finland, a ministerial delegation goes to show sympathy," Pakarinen says. Apparently, no politician has contacted Oura. Ask Kauppalehti. Ask about companies, investing, the economy, or work life. AI searches for answers in Kauppalehti articles. Source Kauppalehti AI-generated

Alexandru Ștefan appointed Country Lead for Wolt Romania. April 3, 2026 Wolt, the local commerce platform connecting users with restaurants and shops, has announced a leadership restructure in Romania. Alexandru Ștefan, currently Head of Account Management, will take on the additional responsibility of Country Lead for Wolt Romania, according to Business Review. The transition aims to ensure business continuity while placing an established leader at the helm of the company's growth plans. Alexandru Ștefan brings nearly 20 years of experience in high-level commercial and leadership roles and has been a core member of the Wolt team for the past three years, focusing on expanding the platform's partner network nationwide. "Alexandru brings a powerful combination of operational depth, strategic clarity, analytical rigour, and a partner-oriented mindset. He has been a vital part of the company's success in Romania since 2023. We are confident that, under his leadership, Wolt will continue to strengthen its local presence, offering even greater value to our customers, couriers, and the thousands of businesses we support," says Matko Katanec, Head of Marketplace for Central Europe at Wolt. The new structure is designed to keep local operations agile and aligned with the company's global innovation engine. By appointing a leader from within the existing core team, Wolt intends to maintain current partner relationships and service standards without disruption. "I am honoured to take on this responsibility at such an important time for Wolt in Romania. My objective is clear: to build on the incredible foundation we have established and ensure that Wolt remains the most trusted partner for local commerce. We have a talented team here, and our commitment to the Romanian market - our partners, our customers, and the cities we serve - is stronger than ever," adds Alexandru Ștefan. Wolt currently operates in 34 cities across Romania, including Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, and Iași. This leadership change marks the company's transition from an emerging startup to a mature market player focused on long-term sustainability and local economic impact. The "Wolt experience": it's in the interface. Industry analysts often point to Wolt's UI/UX as its primary competitive advantage. Unlike competitors that focused solely on speed, Wolt invested heavily in high-quality photography, real-time tracking accuracy, and a customer support model that prioritizes human interaction over automated bots. | Strategic Pillar | Implementation in 2026 | Impact on Market Share | | Operational Efficiency | Proprietary routing algorithms that bundle orders. Reduced delivery times by 15% since 2024. | | Merchant Diversity | Integration of pharmacies, florists, and electronics. 40% of revenue now comes from non-restaurant retail. | | Courier Satisfaction | Flexible "Earn-on-Demand" models with insurance perks. Higher retention rates compared to regional rivals. | | Sustainability | Shift toward 100% electric/bicycle fleet in urban centers. Alignment with EU Green Deal and ESG standards. | The evolution into "Wolt Market" and retail integration. The year 2026 marks a significant milestone for Wolt Market, the company's dark store initiative. By operating its own micro-fulfillment centers, Wolt has cracked the code of the 15-minute grocery delivery, a segment where many others failed. However, the real revolution lies in their partnership with local retailers. By providing a digital storefront to small boutiques and neighborhood bookshops, Wolt has positioned itself as an ally to the local economy rather than a disruptor. Regarding the brand's philosophy, Miki Kuusi, Co-founder of Wolt and Head of DoorDash International, recently stated: "Our goal was never just to move a burger from point A to point B. It was to build the infrastructure for the local commerce of the future. In 2026, the 'Wolt Economy' is about making cities more livable by giving people back their time and giving merchants the tools to compete in a digital-first world." Tech innovation: AI and the future of logistics. Behind the seamless app experience lies a complex technological "brain." In 2026, Wolt utilizes advanced AI to predict demand spikes before they happen - allowing the system to reposition couriers strategically during lunch rushes or sudden weather changes. * Dynamic Pricing & Routing: Ensuring that delivery fees remain fair while couriers earn optimally during peak hours. * Inventory Syncing: Real-time API integration with retail partners to ensure that "out of stock" items are never listed. * Wolt Drive: Expanding their logistical "as-a-service" platform, allowing businesses to use Wolt's courier fleet for their own web-store deliveries. The human element: challenges and social responsibility. Despite its technological prowess, Wolt faces the ongoing challenge of the "gig economy" debate. In 2026, the company has been at the forefront of collaborating with EU regulators to establish the Platform Work Directive, ensuring that couriers have access to social protections without losing the flexibility that defines the role.