Finding funding for startups in Finland - Case TropiBrew
Dao, Thi Anh Thu (2026)
2026
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202603234841
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202603234841
Tiivistelmä
The development of Finland’s startup ecosystem has created numerous funding opportunities for pre-seed startups. However, accessing suitable funding remains a challenge for newly established businesses that lack stable revenue or market proof. TropiBrew, a student-founded startup aiming to introduce Vietnamese robusta coffee and herbal tea products to the Nordic market, also faces similar financial resource constraints.
The goal of this study is to identify and evaluate suitable funding sources for TropiBrew in its initial phase in Finland. A single case study and qualitative methodology were implemented, combining secondary data from literature and reports on the Finnish startup ecosystem with primary data from discussions with the founding team. Funding sources were analysed based on the suitability of capital demand, financial risk, scalability, and ownership requirements.
The results indicated that early-stage funding sources such as public aid programs, internal school funds, and crowdfunding are highly suitable due to the low risk and cash flow flexibility. In addition, startup competitions and pitching events were identified as important tools for increasing investor access. The conclusion suggested that a phased fundraising strategy is appropriate, prioritising funding sources that do not require ownership sharing in the early stages before approaching private investors in the growth phase.
The goal of this study is to identify and evaluate suitable funding sources for TropiBrew in its initial phase in Finland. A single case study and qualitative methodology were implemented, combining secondary data from literature and reports on the Finnish startup ecosystem with primary data from discussions with the founding team. Funding sources were analysed based on the suitability of capital demand, financial risk, scalability, and ownership requirements.
The results indicated that early-stage funding sources such as public aid programs, internal school funds, and crowdfunding are highly suitable due to the low risk and cash flow flexibility. In addition, startup competitions and pitching events were identified as important tools for increasing investor access. The conclusion suggested that a phased fundraising strategy is appropriate, prioritising funding sources that do not require ownership sharing in the early stages before approaching private investors in the growth phase.