Startup Refugees Fund
The only fund in Finland supporting newcomer entrepreneurs
Are you a newcomer entrepreneur, or hoping to become one soon? Do you already have a clear business idea in mind? The next application period, dedicated to women, will begin in autumn 2026, so stay tuned!
The problem
Startup Refugees has supported newcomers in finding jobs and starting businesses since 2015. Over a thousand have participated in our Business Program and more than 135 companies have been established with our support. Everyday, we are blown away by the innovative business ideas and high entrepreneurial spirit of newcomers.
In Finland, around 33 % of all entrepreneurs are women and female founders receive only 6 % of the startup funding. The underrepresented founders struggle the most to get funding. Only 1 % of tech founders self-identify as Black, Caribbean, or African.
Refugee and migrant founders in general are lacking role models and support systems. Our goal is to help them to build profitable businesses in Finland.
We see a problem.
Our solution – Tens of thousands raised to spark the change
We believe that refugees and other newcomers bring huge economic and human potential to Finland. This is why we have established the Startup Refugees Fund which offers support for newcomer founders.
The funding is meant for all founders and teams that have a promising business idea or a running business but are not attracting investors yet.
The recipients of the funding are selected by an external jury which consists of Startup Refugees network members, individuals and experienced newcomer entrepreneurs.
Female edition 2026
Did you know women made up around 40 % of entrepreneurs worldwide in 2025? Yet all-female founding teams received only ~2 % of global venture capital. Most funding still goes to the three white guys in the garage.
In 2026, we decided to place a special focus on supporting migrant women entrepreneurs in cooperation with The Foundher Table. The funding is meant for all migrant female founders that have a promising business idea or are running a business but are not attracting investors yet.
The new funding round starts in autumn 2026. The recipients of the fund are decided by a jury of independent experts, Startup Refugees staff and network members from diverse backgrounds. The program culminates in an event where 3–5 winners are awarded with investments of €5,000–€10,000. The winners will also receive, mentoring, networks and support so that a promising idea can grow into a sustainable company.
Invest & support female founders
By partnering with us and investing in the Fund you are supporting underrepresented founders and building a more equal, diverse, and vibrant business ecosystem All company contributions go directly to seed investments, mentoring, and founder support within the 2026 program. Let’s discuss how your organisation can be involved!
Partner with us
Maiju Mitrunen / Head of Partnerships
maiju@startuprefugees.com
+358 50 365 7356
Fund winners 2025
Meet some of our founders
Over a thousand newcomers have participated in the Startup Refugees Business Program. Natsuki and Saifullah are one of them.
Natsuki Hosio –
Itookäsi Mizuhiki
Natsuki creates handmade accessories using traditional Japanese MIZUHIKI cord, blending cultural craftsmanship with contemporary design.
“I’ve been working hard to introduce MIZUHIKI to a new audience. Building recognition for a traditional art form takes time, but seeing people connect with my work here in Finland motivates me to keep growing.”
Saifullah Albrazanchi – Mesopotamia HKI
Saifullah runs a growing delivery and courier service in Helsinki, offering fast and dependable transport for customers across the city.
“It’s been challenging to expand without visibility or the right digital tools. Even though the business has strong demand, accessing the support needed to scale as a newcomer in Finland hasn’t been easy.”
Frequently asked questions:
Who runs this fund?
The Startup Refugees Fund is administrated by Startup Refugees, a Finnish non-profit organization supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in entrepreneurship and employment. The non-profit association behind Startup Refugees is called Phoenix ry, that has a history of supporting newcomers in starting businesses since 2015.
Why and how to donate to the fund?
The Startup Refugees Fund is for pioneering companies that want to encourage immigrant entrepreneurship. Donating to the Fund is a great way to bring these topics alive and communicate values internally and externally.
A company can donate to the fund by contacting us through info@startuprefugees.com, individuals cannot unfortunately donate due to legal reasons. We are always looking for new partners and ready to build a tailored CSR or Diversity & Inclusion Program related to Startup Refugees Fund. Just give a bell to us and let’s plan it together!
Who can apply for the fund?
The funding is meant for all current and aspiring newcomer entrepreneurs. A new funding round starts each autumn.
How are the funding recipients decided?
In the first round the recipients of the fund are shortlisted by a jury consisting of Startup Refugees team members. In the second round an official jury is established with two representatives or experienced individuals and with one entrepreneur representative coming from a migrant or refugee background.