Sustainable Visions in Action: Meet our three Sustainable Entrepreneurship Grantees
From industrial innovation to beauty and tourism, our latest sustainable entrepreneurship grantees from 2023 and 2024 are proving that impactful ideas come in many forms.
In this blog post, we highlight three inspiring entrepreneurs who received support through the Tampere Universities Sustainable Entrepreneurship Grant. Since then, Olli Suominen and his team, Duong Minh Hang Hong, and Melisha McLellan’s and her team have all been working hard to shape their ideas and test new directions.
Let’s take a closer look at their journeys: What have they been up to with the grant? How have they advanced their ideas? How each of them is making a difference in their own field?
All the stories have been written by the grantees themselves.
Industrial Imaging for Safety-Critical Applications
Olli Suominen + team, 2023 Sustainable Entrepreneurship Grantee
During my postgraduate studies, I was involved in developing numerous imaging-based concepts for applications in mobile machinery and robotics. Despite apparent demand from the industry, these concepts unfortunately remained at the level of reports and publications. Operview was founded in April 2023 to address this need.
The first few months were mainly spent on paperwork, but a significant subcontracting project was scheduled for the fall to kickstart the business. The goal was to implement machine vision algorithms with such quality that the resulting software could be directly used in the customer’s production. The software’s operating environment is an experimental nuclear fusion reactor, which further emphasized the importance of quality and reliability. This required specific tools that would enable testing, quality analysis, and documentation in a sufficiently credible manner, and if necessary, allow the software to be certified according to industrial standards.
Caught between procurement contracts and customer Needs
When the project was finally aligned with the views of all parties regarding IPR and subcontracting agreements, a significant portion of the available overall budget had been cut. There was no longer room in the budget for software procurement, which was critical for implementation. Without the necessary tool, the workload would have exploded, and certain parts could not have been implemented at all.
For a newly established company, a large investment of several thousand euros in an unknown tool is risky – what if it does not meet the set goals despite preliminary research and preparation? In the worst case, the software license would not even be worth the paper it was printed on.
HUBS’ support was invaluable in this situation – the sustainable development grant allowed the software tool to be procured and used in the project’s implementation. Even with the tool’s assistance, many difficulties emerged during the project, causing the schedule to be extended multiple times.
The technology transfer agreement between Operview and the university was finalized at the end of 2023. The future looks promising – the first major project was successfully completed, and thanks to this, negotiations for continuation are underway. This enabled the startup of the business and the development of its own product. As a result, 4-5 pilot projects for various applications are now underway. This chain of events might well have remained in its infancy without the grant, so HUBS’ contribution had a significant leverage effect.
My Sustainable Entrepreneurship Journey in Finland – Faster Than Expected
Duong Minh Hang Ho, sustainable entrepreneurship grantee 2024
From the moment I set foot in Finland, I had the ambition to start my own business. That’s why I chose to study at Proakatemia, a hands-on learning environment that fosters entrepreneurial spirit and creative thinking. I always believed I would build my own company, but I never imagined how quickly each step of this journey would unfold.
If anyone is wondering when the right time is to start a business, my advice is: “Start even if you don’t feel ready.” The process of doing, experimenting, and adjusting is what truly helps us grow.
When I first started, I had only one service, nail care. With limited resources, I ran my salon while focusing on delivering high-quality service and an excellent customer experience. Everything began on a small scale, but I believed that with persistence and continuous improvement, my business would grow.
Receiving the Sustainable Entrepreneurship Grant from TAMK support foundation 2024 was a game changer. Thanks to this funding, I was able to expand my services, adding pedicures, eyelash & eyebrow treatments, eyelash & eyebrow extensions, and facials. Additionally, I could develop my website, enhance marketing efforts to increase brand awareness, and upgrade my salon’s equipment and interior design, creating a better experience for my customers.
Beyond the tangible improvements, the grant broadened my perspective on my role in the industry. I am not only just running a salon but also have begun training and developing new talent in the beauty field. This past winter, I successfully trained my first student, a milestone that means a lot to me. Moreover, this summer, I will have my first employee working at MYKO Beauty Lounge, a step that will help the business operate more efficiently and prepare for future growth.
A few tips for those considering entrepreneurship
Looking back, I have realized: It is never too early to start, and the entrepreneurial journey always brings unexpected surprises. If anyone is wondering when the right time is to start a business, my advice is: “Start even if you don’t feel ready.” The process of doing, experimenting, and adjusting is what truly helps us grow.
From offering just one service, MYKO Beauty Lounge has evolved into a professional salon with multiple sustainable beauty services. It now not only serves customers but also trains and creates job opportunities for others who share the same passion. I hope my story can inspire those who are on their own entrepreneurial path. Believe in yourself, stay true to your values, and you will be amazed by what you can achieve.
Tourism in Lapland
Melisha McLellan + team, sustainable entrepreneurship grantees 2024
In 2024, December, three enthusiastic researchers traveled to Rovaniemi-Kolari area to research sustainable tourism. The research team aimed to explore experience economy and sustainability in Finnish Lapland. Due to the seasonal nature of the tourism in Lapland the targeted research time during peak season was an exceptionally good opportunity for research.
After analyzing the tourism data, we had a much better idea of the problems facing the tourism industry in Lapland. We looked at the matter from the perspective of the employer, employee and the tourist.
The initial problems we thought were in Lapland were completely opposite of what we assumed before the research. The grant allowed us to find the real issues by conduction interviews and visiting as tourist ourselves.
We visited various size businesses from hotel chains to local small businesses, experience providers and artisan/souvenir shops.
The focus of the research was sustainability in tourism, understanding the challenges and opportunities related to sustainability in the area. We created networks for future collaboration, and were able to clarify our assumptions and expectations with real questions for real people.
The initial problems we thought were in Lapland were completely opposite of what we assumed before the research. The grant allowed us to find the real issues by conduction interviews and visiting as tourist ourselves.
Why is it crucial to do your research?
The project and the research would not have been possible without the support of the Sustainable Entrepreneurship grant and HUBS. There is a stark difference between analyzing data of other’s experience and to being able to be on the spot and ask the relevant questions from your own observations.
A notable example was during our time in Kolari. We have met with the owner of a small hotel bar who had a lot of experience in Ylläs-Kolari. She was able to explain and confirm our assumptions which gave us further insight into the actual situation. Having the possibility to tap into the history of tourism from the point of view of a local gave us much more perspective. Also, after speaking with hotel manager, we were able to clearly understand the problem of housing for staff and team members. Infrastructure and facilities were at the core of the issues facing companies in the North. The networks and insights that we have gained from the research were truly priceless.
Thank you all for sharing your stories and learnings with us!
The first story was written in early 2024, and the two following ones in spring 2025.
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