Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2013 | Page 10

Straight up: serial entrepreneur Steve Blank discusses what’s right with the Finnish start-up scene – and, more relevantly, what’s wrong with it Last September, U.S. start-up expert Steve Blank spent three weeks in Finland teaching and speaking to thousands of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, government officials and even ministers. A year later, Blank remains convinced that Finland has the potential to become a start-up hub as long as the country develops a long-term strategy for venture investing. 8 Nordicum Photo: Eric Millette The Helsinki Spring