In Porvoo, global business ambitions meet a local lifestyle that works. Just 30 minutes from Helsinki-Vantaa airport, this coastal city is building a future where green transition, business ecosystems, and quality of life go hand in hand.
What makes an international company choose a location for its next move? Infrastructure, talent, logistics, and increasingly, quality of life. According to Elina Duréault Suomalainen, Director of Economic Development for the City of Porvoo, the answer lies in the full package:
“When companies relocate top talent, they want more than industrial plots and permits. They want international schools, cultural life, nature, and a city that feels like home.”
Porvoo offers just that. With its industrial cluster in Kilpilahti – the Nordic region’s largest hub for energy and chemical industries – and a growing network of forward-thinking SMEs, the city already has a strong backbone. But it’s the mindset that sets Porvoo apart: a readiness to support sustainable innovation and long-term business growth.
In 2023, Porvoo launched a pioneering Green Transition Fund, a €10 million investment vehicle aimed at boosting low-carbon innovation. “We wanted to ensure that climate action continues – even when markets are shaky,” says Duréault-Suomalainen. The fund supports companies whose work contributes to sustainability and benefits the Porvoo region – regardless of their current location.
Projects funded so far include sensor-based energy optimization, circular economy logistics, bio-based speaker components, and even a sustainability education game for children. “The spectrum is intentionally broad,” says Duréault Suomalainen. “We want both cutting-edge tech and hearts-and-minds solutions.”
Beyond funding, Porvoo offers something many larger cities don’t: deeply personalized support. Companies considering Porvoo are guided through every step from land use and permits to infrastructure and recruitment. “We don’t leave businesses alone. We walk with them, because we want them to succeed here.”
That human touch extends to everyday life. Porvoo’s walkable downtown, rich cultural offering, and growing international education services make it a rare blend of business opportunity and quality of life. Whether you’re running a global operation or building a startup, Porvoo offers room to grow and room to breathe.
“You don’t have to choose between an ambitious business environment and a human-sized city. In Porvoo, you get both”, Duréault-Suomalainen sums up.
Learn more at https://businessporvoo.fi/en/invest-in-porvoo/ or give us a shout at
elina.dureault@porvoo.fi / 040 184 56 27
Want to explore the Green Transition Fund? Applications are open.
→ https://businessporvoo.fi/en/green-transition-fund/
