Empowering sparring program
to scale up your business
Kasvupolku is a free-of-charge sparring program for companies driven by a true passion for growth and development. And it’s not just growth on the line — there’s also glory. One standout company from the program will be crowned Growth Company of the Year.
Sparring Program for Companies Ready to Grow
Kasvupolku is a growth-driven sparring program designed for your company. All you need is a business ID — and a whole lot of ambition! On this path, you’ll receive tailored coaching to meet your specific needs, gain valuable connections, and discover new collaboration opportunities.
Is your competitive edge crystal clear? Does your team need a boost in certain areas? Are you truly in control of your export markets? Kasvupolku focuses on practical solutions to the questions that matter most to your business. Each year, over 200 eager companies join the journey toward growth.
Unleash and maximize your
true potential with Kasvupolku
Here’s what you’ll get from Kasvupolku:
- A power boost for your growth
- 6-9 expert coaching sessions tailored to your needs
- Collaborative learning on key business themes
- Guidance to master the art of the perfect pitch
- Inspiration and motivation for everyday success
- Connections and partnerships to fuel your growth
✔️ With Kasvupolku, you’ll have the chance to find future key contacts like board members, clients, employees, investors, consultants — and maybe even lifelong friends.
What It Takes to Join Kasvupolku
- A Finnish business ID and a drive to develop your company
- A well-prepared application and growth plan (Growth Company Analysis)
- Commitment to independent and group work, both online and in-person
- About 5 working days of your time from February to September 2025
✔️ Kasvupolku is completely free and packed with powerful tools for business development. The more actively you participate, the greater the rewards!
Here’s how it works:
Kasvupolku in a nutshell
Kasvupolku is a free sparring program designed to accelerate growth for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a strong desire to grow.
Application period: January 27 – March 12, 2025. Leave your contact details in advance, and we’ll remind you when the application opens.
Kasvupolku Program format includes a mix of digital and in-person sessions starting in May 2025, supported by a dedicated digital platform.
Who benefits most: Companies with an established track record, multiple employees, and a clear goal to grow.
Around 200 growth-driven companies are selected based on Growth Company Analysis submitted as the application.
One participating company will be awarded the title of Growth Company of the Year at the Kasvu Open Carnival.
“Before the sparring, our revenue was 1.4 million. One year after the sparring, it was over 2 million, and the profit was better.”
Sirkku Vahvaselkä-Vuorenpää, Ledi Group
Phase 1: Application (Growth Company Analysis)
1. Submit Your Contact Information
Start your application by submitting your contact details via the online form. You’ll receive instructions by email on how to create your Growth Company Analysis — a vital part of the application process.
2. Complete the Growth Company Analysis
Apply for the sparring program by completing the Growth Company Analysis. More than just an application, this analysis serves as a tool to develop your growth plan. The insights you provide will shape the entire sparring experience — experts will be selected based on your analysis, and they will review your responses before your meetings.
All the information you share is handled with full confidentiality.
A jury reviews the applications, and around 200 growth-driven companies are selected for the program. Selection is based on four key criteria: growth potential, market opportunity, team strength, and track record.
- Application period: January 27 – March 12, 2025
- Selection announcement: Applicants will be informed of the results by week 17, 2025.
3. Join the Digital Platform
All applicants are invited to access Kasvupolku’s digital platform, where you can explore the network and take advantage of free sparring resources.
Phase 2: Sparring Days
1. Meet & Greet
The sparring journey kicks off in early May 2025 with a virtual Meet & Greet. Get to know the Kasvupolku community, meet your peers, and feel inspired by expert talks and group discussions. After this, you’ll continue in a smaller peer group of 20-30 companies that fits your business needs.
2. First Sparring Day
The first sparring day takes place online in May or June 2025, depending on your group’s schedule. You’ll meet 3-4 expert advisors handpicked for your business and receive guidance on perfecting your pitch. The goal is to challenge your perspective, spark new ideas, and generate insights. After the sessions, you’ll receive both verbal and numerical feedback from your advisors.
3. Second Sparring Day
The second sparring day happens in person in August or September 2025, depending on your group’s schedule. In addition to personalized expert sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to pitch your business to other participants and build valuable connections. Feedback shows that 94% of participants believe the time invested in sparring was worthwhile.
4. Contacts and Learning on the Digital Platform
All activity — before, during, and after sparring sessions — takes place on Kasvupolku’s digital platform. Careful preparation leads to better sparring outcomes, and you’ll even have the chance to influence which experts are chosen for your company. The platform keeps your contacts close and accessible at all times.
Phase 3: Growth Company of the Year Competition
1. Top 60 Companies
After the second sparring day, 60 of the most promising companies from the Kasvupolku programs are selected to compete for the title of Growth Company of the Year. Selections are based on points and feedback from sparring advisors, judges, and your level of activity throughout the program. These companies advance to a third, in-person sparring day held in October.
The third sparring day features top-level advisors and the most promising companies from the network. Participants receive 3-4 personalized expert sessions, network-building opportunities, and a meeting with the jury.
2. Top 10 Companies
A national jury selects the top 10 most promising companies from the Top 60 group based on Kasvupolku’s evaluation criteria. Competition intensifies as you face off against the best-performing companies of the season.
3. KASVU OPEN KARNEVAALI
Kasvu Open Karnevaali is Finland’s most vibrant celebration of growth companies, bringing together the entire network in October. Enjoy the energy, connect with peers, and gain new insights from inspiring talks and events. Attendance is free for all participants.
4. Growth Company of the Year
The top 10 companies pitch their businesses live on stage at the Kasvu Open Carnival and face tough questions from the jury. One company will be crowned Growth Company of the Year, a prestigious title awarded annually to one of the companies that participated in the Kasvupolku programs.
FOR MORE INFO, PLEASE CONTACT
PROGRAM PRODUCTION
Inka-Sofia Hokkanen
050 434 9943
inka-sofia.hokkanen@kasvuopen.fi
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Malla Karhunen
050 543 1400
malla.karhunen@kasvuopen.fi