Developing a Financial Plan for an International Start-up Company in Finland

Abstract

This research is a case study of a start-up company operating in Oulu (Finland) aiming to increase the company attractiveness in order to find potential investors. The aim of this the-sis is to create a preliminary plan with financial data which could be used and developed later, since the organization doesn’t currently have one. The second aim is to state what and how a financial plan can benefit a start-up company for in the investor’s point-of view.

This thesis has been divided into two main fields, the first one being the theoretical back-ground and the second the creation of an investors plan. The research of this thesis fol-lowed a qualitative research standard and the data collected was mainly secondary, the primary data was obtained through threw a semi-structured interview with the CEO of the firm. The main research topics are how to start a financial plan, what approach should be taken into the plan in order to increase the organization attractiveness and how could it help getting potential investors. The plan was created based on a reliable theoretical back-ground and the results of the interview were taken into consideration to create the investors plan for the company.

The thesis states that a financial plan increase can positively benefit a start-up company when it comes to finding potential investors, especially if the firm create a networking plan to directly interact with investors through events, seminars, or business pitching contests. Since the market is new and competitors are mainly indirect, few aspects should be taken into consideration to add reliability and credibility to a financial plan likely market analysis or market research.

This thesis contains information commonly available while creating financial plans in addition to core concepts about investors, getting funding and the current start-up situation in Finland.