What SMEs Can Offer to Startups - And Vice VersaJaakko MännistöVice-Chair of Federation of Finnish EnterprisesFounder/CEO of Feedbackly

An established SME seeking growththrough new innovations.

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A freshman startup seekinggrowth through new partnerships.

Source: Uudistajat (2016).

18 % of SMEs in Finland haveco-operated with a startup.

7 % of SME entrepreneurs in Finland have invested in a startup.

SME: Benefits and Challenges of Startup Co-operation

Source: Uudistajat (2016).

BENEFITS• Outside expertise• Productivity • New products and processes• New markets abroad• Renewal• New owners and partners

CHALLENGES• Sustainability of idea• Resourcing of experiments• Expectation management• Lack of commitment• Falling short of targets

BENEFITS• Marketing channel• Customer references• Mentorship• Funding• Industry know-how• Agility

CHALLENGES• Unwillingess to change• Lack of commitment• Differing expecations• Colliding cultures• Limited resources

Startup: Benefits and Challenges of SME Co-operation

Source: Uudistajat (2016).

For an SME startup co-operationis a highway to new innovationand stronger competitiveness.

For a startup SME co-operationis an opportunity to lean pilots,

valuable first references and hard or soft capital.