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About Us

Helsinki Partners is a city marketing, investment and talent attraction company owned by the City of Helsinki. Our mission is to promote the city’s sustainable growth, to attract investments, businesses, talent and visitors, to conduct international sales and marketing, as well as to build Helsinki’s global brand and reputation.

Contacts

  • Sara Jäntti

    Senior Manager, PR & Communications


    +358 40 709 2913
    http://www.helsinkipartners.com
  • Leena Karppinen

    Senior Manager, PR & Communications


    +358 40 541 5682

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    Collaborating with international companies allows us to commercialise and scale innovations that both advance technology and contribute to sustainable and ethical solutions for society.
    Jouni Hirvonen, Vice-Rector of Innovation, Infrastructures and Facilities at the University of Helsinki
    Helsinki offers a unique environment where companies can directly engage with top research, advanced facilities, emerging talent, and the exciting startup culture.
    Heidi Humala, Director, Business Environment at Business Helsinki, City of Helsinki
    By joining the 3-day 90 Hour Helsinki Program, companies can experience this culture firsthand and start building meaningful collaborations.
    Clarisse Berggårdh, CEO at Helsinki Partners
    New Finnish fashion has a cultural narrative. It speaks to a young, digitally connected audience, blending fashion with storytelling, art, music and community. Often here are themes or ways of working, that comment on the current state of the industry and the ways we consume fashion.
    Ervin Latimer, Designer and Professor of Practice
    When looking back at Finland’s design legacy, craftsmanship, innovation and empathy have always been key elements of Finnish design. All of these elements are also strongly present in the work of young designers today. We can see that Finnish fashion is reacting to the new era of the fashion industry, where new models and practices are needed. Designer Juha Vehmaanperä’s Craft Punk exhibition at the Architecture and Design Museum is a good example of high-level artistic practice, while designers such as Sini Saavala, Linda Kokkonen and Henna Lampinen work with atelier-based practices focusing on custom-made solutions.
    Ervin Latimer, Designer and Professor of Practice
    Sauna Day exists to open the doors of sauna culture globally and locally – connecting people through shared heat, relaxation and community.
    Tea Lindberg, the founder of World Sauna Day
    What makes Sauna Day truly special is its openness. Anyone can participate, whether by opening their sauna or simply joining in. It creates a rare moment where private spaces become shared, and sauna becomes a genuine social bridge.
    Tea Lindberg, the founder of World Sauna Day
    Helsinki’s sauna culture is constantly growing and adapting, while staying true to its roots. World Sauna Day is the perfect moment to celebrate this living tradition and invite the world to experience it with us. 1 euro for every participating sauna will be donated to Sauna Aid, that takes saunas to crisis areas to bring concrete relief and a moment of respite in difficult circumstances.
    Tea Lindberg, the founder of World Sauna Day
    Kruunuvuorensilta bridge is the new, unique and exciting landmark for Helsinki. A sight that will draw visitors from near and far. The new bridge reshapes how we look at Helsinki. It attaches the areas of Kruunuvuorenranta and Laajasalo in a completely new way to the larger central city area. The bridge reflects our commitment to sustainable solutions and embraces Helsinki’s unique maritime setting.
    Mayor of Helsinki, Daniel Sazonov
    Contrasts are ever-present in Sámi contemporary art. The works convey the sensitivity and emotional depth of Sámi life, while also revealing the forces that have hardened us and shaped us into survivors. For Sámi visitors, they reflect our community’s self-respect, joys and sorrows. For Finnish audiences, they offer distinctly Sámi perspectives on Sámi life.
    Petra Laiti, curator of We Who Remain at Kiasma
    At the core of happiness in Helsinki is our determination to make everyday life work well for everyone. Strong education plays a vital role in that. Our teachers are highly educated and as a city we focus on providing our students environments that support learning, concentration and well-being. When families know that their children will receive high-quality education it creates safety and happiness.
    Daniel Sazonov, Mayor of Helsinki
    Happiness does not happen by accident. It is built through trust, good education, strong communities and an environment where people can live balanced lives. People's satisfaction with their lives is strongly connected to the work that cities do. For Helsinki, it’s about making sure everyday life for our citizens runs smoothly. Neighbourhoods are safe, schools are good, and important everyday services are available and close by.
    Daniel Sazonov, Mayor of Helsinki
    For many of our citizens, myself included, the closeness to nature plays a big role in wellbeing and happiness. Being able to step outside and in a few minutes reach the sea, a park, or a forest for an evening walk is something special. And when it comes to finding balance and taking a breather in an ever-digitalizing everyday, one thing I cannot recommend highly enough is sauna. Not only is it restorative and relaxing, it is a phone-free space.
    Daniel Sazonov, Mayor of Helsinki
    – Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall is deeply loved by the people of Helsinki. That became clear in the feedback we received during the renovation planning. The message was simple: do not change its soul. Preserve the atmosphere and character that make it so special.
    Paavo Arhinmäki, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Leisure of the City of Helsinki
    – Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall is not only a sports facility but a nationally significant cultural landmark. Every design decision was carefully weighed to retain original materials, spatial qualities and details wherever possible — especially the distinctive ceramic tiles dating from the 1920s.
    Katri Olli, Project Manager of the Urban Environment Division at the City of Helsinki
    After reading Anderson’s interview in Vogue Scandinavia, we wanted to respond with a warm welcome to Helsinki. Many of the interests she has spoken about publicly, from nature and wellbeing to a simpler everyday rhythm, are also things Helsinki has a great deal to offer. Anderson’s public comments regarding her Finnish heritage sparked a simple question on our end: if someone publicly expresses a wish to reconnect with their Finnish roots, what would a welcoming, functional city do? For Helsinki, the answer was to send an invitation.
    Soila Lehkonen, Head of Brand and PR at Helsinki Partners
    If Anderson were to respond, we would be delighted to welcome her and to introduce her to everyday life in Helsinki, including Finnish sauna culture. Perhaps even a smoke sauna followed by a cold dip, as a very Helsinki-style way to say welcome.
    Liisa Kivelä, the Chief Communications Officer of the City of Helsinki
    Our culinary heritage isn’t carved in stone, that gives us freedom. We’re still writing the story.
    Johan Kurkela, Chef & Bocuse d'Or candidate
    I’ve always wondered why we haven’t made a bigger deal out of traditional Finnish food. A Karelian pie can be just as special as anything else, when someone puts real effort into it.
    Florence Macêdo, Co-Founder of Cafe Clé
    Thirty euros is the new two hundred. People still want quality, but they want it in pasta‑and‑wine bars and neighbourhood bistros you can visit on a Tuesday, not just in once‑a‑year tasting menus.
    Toni Feri, CEO & Founder of Let Me Wine
    Both visitor and book sales records year after year speak not only to the appeal of the event, but also to Finland's strong reading tradition and the vitality of Finnish literary culture. The atmosphere is unique. The event has become a highlight of the year for readers, authors, and publishers. This year we welcome around 40 international guest authors at the fair. Finland is a bilingual country, and we want to offer content to both Finnish and Swedish speakers. Three of our 17 program stages are dedicated to Swedish-language literature.
    Ville Blåfield, Program Director of the Helsinki Book Fair
    It’s inspiring to see how readers of all ages come together here – not only to celebrate books, but to engage with the questions shaping our societies. Literature and culture remain vital spaces for reflection, dialogue and imagination. Keeping them open, dynamic and connected across borders is essential if future generations are to find their own voices in them.
    John Steinmark, Programme Director of the Frankfurt Book Fair
    This MoU highlights the impact of shared values and bold collaboration. Helsinki is excited to welcome future-focused companies like Mitsubishi Estate’s Regenerative Community Tokyo, which champions sustainability and innovation. Together, we’re empowering cities that put people, planet, and long-term progress first.
    Tiina Mikkonen, Head of Investment Promotion at Helsinki Partners
    For the Lahti Region, the collaboration with Mitsubishi Estate and Regenerative Community Tokyo marks the beginning of new opportunities between our regions. Sharing strong common values and interests provides a solid foundation for future cooperation. We are all excited to see how Finnish and Japanese companies can benefit from this new bridge of friendship.
    Isto Vanhamäki, Director, Business Region Development of LADEC
    Through this collaboration, Mitsubishi Estate / Regenerative Community Tokyo will contribute to the creation of international solutions that address social challenges through the sharing of networks and expertise.
    Mitsubishi Estate / Regenerative Community Tokyo
    Helsinki is investing in sustainable growth in tourism. We want to welcome more and more tourists to Helsinki. Being the world’s most sustainable tourist destination for the second year in a row shows that our work for tourism and its sustainability is paying off.
    Daniel Sazonov, Mayor of Helsinki
    Helsinki continues to raise the bar by defining the ‘next practices’ of regenerative destination management. Through bold climate action, pioneering sustainability strategies, and a steadfast commitment to transparency, the city demonstrates exceptional vision. Its recognition as the top-ranked destination in the 2025 GDS-Index – for the second consecutive year – is highly deserved.
    Guy Bigwood, CEO, GDS-Movement
    Up to 99% of the rooms of hotels with more than 50 rooms in Helsinki are environmentally certified. This level is significantly higher than in Europe in general. Similarly, more and more destinations, meeting and conference facilities, tour operators and others have environmental certifications.
    Nina Vesterinen, Tourism Director, the City of Helsinki.
    This announcement is a pivotal moment for Finland’s new Museum of Architecture and Design, marking the conclusion of years of work to fundraise and lay the groundwork for a new museum, and the beginning of work to develop a new landmark on a hugely significant site for Helsinki. We also invite the museum's audience to join in this work by participating in our workshops and exhibitions. In addition to architectural and cityscape goals, the competition brief asked teams to consider the future needs of museum operations, use environmentally friendly construction, and design to ensure that the museum would bring joy and inspiration to its users. The new museum building has to enable our social mission: shaping our common future through architecture and design. In Kumma, the jury saw potential for achieving all of these goals. It is a great pleasure to begin cooperation with the experienced and visionary team of JKMM Architects – congratulations to the team!  I also wish to express our sincere thanks to all the designers behind the finalist proposals.
    Kaarina Gould, CEO of the Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design
    The jury made a unanimous decision in the anonymous competition. Kumma blends into the cityscape, protecting valuable views of the historic waterfront, while at the same time standing out as a recognizable landmark. The use of recycled brick on the facade brings sculptural, architectural warmth and the terrace surrounding the building strengthens the connection to the city. The winning proposal, which is perceived as monumental and angular, is intended to be developed in a more approachable direction. approachable direction. We and the design team share the view that climate-smart solutions are at the heart of further development.
    Mikko Aho, Chair of the Jury
    Finland’s new Museum of Architecture and Design is a central initiative in the regeneration of Helsinki’s historic South Harbour district, supporting the transformation of this former industrial dockside into into an attractive waterfront district and show the world the best of what Helsinki has to offer. The concentration of skills and the culture of design in our city are central to Helsinki’s appeal among world cities. Finnish design is noted throughout the world and the inventiveness and resourcefulness of our designers is the basis of how our economy creates value. The City of Helsinki is proud to support the establishment of this new institution that will become a centre for design culture on the global stage.
    Daniel Sazonov, Mayor of the City of Helsinki
    Finland has a global reputation for excellence in design and innovation. With the establishment of the new Museum of Architecture and Design, we have made a significant investment in a public institution that continue our proud tradition of public education in the skills of design, and record, represent and promote the unique design culture of Finland worldwide.
    Mari-Leena Talvitie, Minister of Science and Culture at the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture
    I hope that the planning and realization of the new Museum of Architecture and Design can show the way for how new things can be built responsibly and with skill. Architecture and design are deeply human – they are born from dreams and longing, and they gain their meaning in the places where we can experience and live together.
    Samuli Miettinen, founding partner and principal designer at JKMM Architects
    I would describe Helsinki Design Week as a platform that brings together our design communities in a creative and collaborative manner and connects them to the city of Helsinki. We are proud of our contributions to Helsinki becoming, and remaining, a true design capital.
    Kari Korkman, founder of Helsinki Design Week
    Our collaboration with Helsinki Design Week reflects the city’s deep commitment to design as part of everyday life. Through initiatives such as the Helsinki Design Awards, we celebrate creativity and highlight how design can shape our future – starting with the youngest generations. The forthcoming Architecture and Design Museum will further demonstrate Helsinki’s long-term investment in design and architecture, ensuring it continues to inspire and serve the city well into the future.
    Hanna Harris, Chief Design Officer at the City of Helsinki
    Pets boost happiness. This time, we wanted to bring attractions to some of the city’s most beloved outdoor spots – places that both dog owners and their dogs can enjoy together. We are delighted to see so many people and dogs experiencing familiar landmarks from a dog’s perspective.
    Soila Lehkonen, the Head of Brand & PR in Helsinki Partners
    Helsinki is a green and maritime city, so we want to protect our green, marine and recreational areas for our residents also in the future. Our goal is for nature reserves to offer nature experiences to as many people as possible, and we plan to invest increasingly in nature reserve routes and interesting nature observation sites.
    Miira Riipinen, Director General of Environment Services at the City of Helsinki
    As a globally recognized leader in sustainable tourism, Helsinki's culinary professionals consistently draw inspiration from the high-quality ingredients sourced from Finland's natural environment. This further distinguishes and strengthens Helsinki's position as a thriving culinary travel destination.
    Nina Vesterinen, Tourism Director for the city of Helsinki
    We want to contribute to Helsinki’s evolving food scene — and for us, collaboration is a valuable way to learn and grow. At the same time, it’s an opportunity to show our international peers what this city and its food culture are all about.
    Albert Franch Sunyer, co-founder of restaurants Nolla, Nolita, and Elm. 
    Helsinki feels like a garden that is just coming to its fullest bloom. The culinary scene has been taking huge steps for the past 20 years and the city has finally found its culinary identity. We are a compact city full of freshness, vibrant energy and strong seasons that incorporate itself into everything we do and eat. The quality of restaurants is incredible and constantly getting better.
    Laura Styyra, restaurateur at restaurant Kuurna and wine bar Klaava
    The aim of the competition is to design a new museum building in a fair and transparent way. Finland has a strong tradition of anonymous architectural competitions, which allows the jury to focus entirely on the content of the proposals. Within the framework of anonymity, we wanted to give the design teams an opportunity for direct engagement with future museum users through a series of workshops, which we believe have led to stronger proposals. It will be truly exciting to see and hear what the people of Helsinki — and anyone interested in the new museum — think of the final submissions. Design and architecture are such fundamental parts of Finnish identity that this competition is about much more than a building. It’s a long-term investment in our cultural heritage and shared future. Even during construction, the project will create jobs and drive economic growth, and once open in 2030, the museum will become a key attraction for Helsinki and Finland
    Kaarina Gould, CEO of the Foundation for the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design
    During phase 2 of the design competition, the jury gave thorough feedback on each of the five proposals. Our focus was on three priorities: firstly, on developing the functionality of the museum spaces so that they are adaptable for future needs. Secondly on how the building interacts with it's surroundings, creating an inviting urban environment, and thirdly on setting the right ambition level in creating a climate-resilient building. Our task now is to evaluate how the proposals meet the goals of the competition.
    Mikko Aho, Chair of the competition jury
    We are delighted to welcome visitors to the third edition of Helsinki Biennial. Helsinki is a vibrant city of events, and the biennial has found a special place in Helsinki’s events calendar and the hearts of the residents. Creativity, art, the maritime environment, and a close connection to nature play an important role in the everyday wellbeing of people in Helsinki. This year, this major contemporary art event gains a new dimension as it extends to Esplanade Park. Helsinki aims to be a flourishing cultural city where art offers pleasant surprises and helps us to view familiar places from new perspectives.
    Mayor of Helsinki Daniel Sazonov
    Helsinki Biennial is based on the unique connection between art, nature, and the maritime city – it makes us special in the international biennial scene. The wild nature of Vallisaari Island, urban rhythm of Esplanade Park, and HAM’s museum spaces create stages where contemporary art can live, breath, and transform. Helsinki Biennial is a dialogue between art, the city and its residents, and nature. At the biennial, you can rest, gain insights, learn, and have fun. The artworks are meant to be experienced using all the senses, and, above all, they are there to be enjoyed.
    Director of HAM Helsinki Art Museum and Helsinki Biennial Arja Miller
    Helsinki Biennial’s central aim is to make high-quality international and Finnish contemporary art accessible to all Helsinki residents. That is why ensuring broad access to Vallisaari Island is so important. We have succeeded to nearly halve the price of the ferry ticket compared to the 2023 biennial. Additionally, the City of Helsinki is offering three days of complimentary ferry service to Vallisaari. Special attention is also given to schoolchildren: we are offering up to 10,000 comprehensive school pupils free ferry rides to and from Vallisaari. This initiative allows schools to explore both art and the maritime environment in a cross-curricular way.
    Helsinki Deputy Mayor for Culture and Leisure Paavo Arhinmäki
    An exhibition like this being displayed at Finlandia Hall is incredibly meaningful. Alvar Aalto designed the Hall as his magnum opus, as a stage for and symbol of Finland. We promise that the exhibition will add new depth to this through information and emotion. It closes the circle.
    Johanna Tolonen, CEO of Finlandia Hall Ltd
    When designing the new Finlandia Hall, we wanted to create a comprehensive experience of an open house for all, offering a plethora of ways to experience culture and the history of the building. The permanent exhibition on the Aaltos, Finlandia Hall, and Finnishness is a natural part of this vision.
    Johanna Tolonen, CEO of Finlandia Hall Ltd
    This exhibition differs from all previous Aalto exhibitions. It explores the Aaltos as people – talented, international architects living at a fascinating point in history, during global modernization. Aino and Alvar strongly influenced how the fresh, international influences were received in Finland, and on the other hand, how the rest of the world perceived Finland as a nation.
    Heikki Aalto-Alanen, Aino and Alvar Aalto’s grandson
    Events make Helsinki a vibrant, attractive and welcoming city. Events created by local residents and communities bring joy, strengthen community spirit and diversify urban culture. The City of Helsinki wants to support local initiatives and make it easier to organise events – working together and spontaneity are a central part of Helsinki.
    Paavo Arhinmäki, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Leisure of the City of Helsinki
    The Finnish fashion industry is filled with talent, creativity and great brands. The popularity of the Finnish Fashion Awards underlines how important it is to highlight the success stories. Finnish fashion is known for sustainability, high quality, conceptual collections, young talented designers and innovative brands. At Finnish Fashion Awards we award best Finnish fashion and designers from the categories of new talent to innovation.
    Miia Koski, CEO of Juni Communication, the company organizing the gala
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