Entrepreneur – use Talent Explorer funding to hire an international talent and sharpen your export marketing message

Specializing in network and spatial data solutions, Keypro has a broad customer base that includes telecom operators, water utilities, district heating and natural gas operators worldwide. Keypro's export strategy is based on cooperation with a partner company selected from the target country or a wider market area.

"We look for actors interested in doing business with our network and spatial data solutions – not only to distribute our software but also to build their own value-added services on top," says Toni Paila, Vice President, International Markets, Keypro.

We decided that the most effective approach is to hire a suitable person from the local partner and bring them to our headquarters in Finland to work on customer cases

Last year, Keypro decided to utilize Business Finland's Talent Explorer funding to hire a Filipino employee after considering different ways to strengthen the company's competitiveness and the expertise of its software distributor in the Philippine market.

"We decided that the most effective approach is to hire a suitable person from the local partner and bring them to our headquarters in Finland to work on customer cases."

Local talent brings market knowledge and cultural competence

Keypro applied for Business Finland's Talent Explorer funding which is designed for small and medium-sized enterprises and covers 50% of the costs of hiring an international expert, up to a maximum of EUR 20,000.

"This project has been a really good experience. We are very confident that the Filipino employee will improve the impact of our marketing work. He can talk about our technology in the local language and understands the cultural differences. This is a very narrow B2B sector, so the marketing argumentation has to be just right," says Paila.

For Keypro, the Talent Explorer funding is a useful instrument for reducing the risks associated with internationalization. Paila recommends recruiting a foreign expert to other companies also focused on export growth.

"We probably would not have implemented the project on this scale without the Talent Explorer funding. We have learned a great deal about the target market, deepened our collaboration with the distributor, and also benefited from more diversity in our work community."

Talent Boost offers support for export promotion efforts

Business Finland's Talent Boost is a service package for companies operating in Finland, helping them connect with top international talent. Our activities include organizing recruitment campaigns and events and providing funding to hire international experts.

"Workforce diversity is a significant resource for export businesses and helps in understanding the needs of different customers, negotiation culture and business practices, for example," says Minh Lam, Service Manager, Talent Boost.

I encourage companies to get familiar with Talent Boost services and Talent Explorer funding when they need new skills to support their international growth

Talent Explorer funding is suitable for many activities, and companies can apply for it at different stages of their internationalization process.

"I encourage companies to get familiar with Talent Boost services and Talent Explorer funding when they need new skills to support their international growth. Our services help companies hire international experts and accelerate their growth and success in the global marketplace."

Read more about Talent Explorer funding and Talent Boost services!