The Central Uusimaa Business Development Center (Keuke) advised 2,113 businesses in 2024. These businesses included 784 new customers. Customer numbers have remained stable over the last four years. 

When looking at Keuke’s operations and the related statistics for 2024, there are no particular surprises to be found. In recent years, the most popular services provided by Keuke have remained pretty much the same. Start-up advice for new businesses holds the number one spot, followed by sales and marketing coaching, business assessments and strategy coaching. 

“We can clearly see that we were cautious when drawing up the investment plans for last year. The amount of euros in the investment plans fell sharply from 2023. All in all, we are far from the peak years, but fortunately a large number of companies are focusing on development and making investments despite the recession,” says Elina Pekkarinen, CEO of Keuke. 

“In the light of the statistics, we can say that the mood in the companies is expectant. Businesses are being developed, but bold initiatives and investment decisions are lacking.” 

Businesses are interested in new growth services

In 2024, Keuke launched three new services to boost business growth, based on sustainability, digitalization and AI. These new services and themes have clearly attracted the interest of businesses.   

“These three big themes – digitalization, sustainability and artificial intelligence – will have a major impact on the operating environment and success of companies in the coming years. We will be focusing on these themes also at Keuke,” says Pekkarinen. 

“Businesses have also recognized the major changes taking place in the operating environment, and they are eager to utilize these new technologies.”

You can find the statistics for Keuke’s operations in 2024 here:
 https://www.keuke.fi/client/keuke/userfiles/keuke-toiminnan-tilastot-2024-1737008150.pdf

Keuke is a local development company owned by municipalities. Keuke helps businesses in Central Uusimaa – Järvenpää, Karkkila, Kerava, Nurmijärvi, Pornainen, Sipoo and Tuusula – to develop and grow. We provide professional advice on all business-related matters, such as activating sales and marketing, working through economic and financing issues, planning investments, finding partners, internationalization and changes of ownership.

Summary of Keuke’s figures for 2024:

• 2,113 customers (change from previous year -27)
• The most used service was start-up advice for new businesses, 35% (31% in 2023)
• The second-most used service was marketing and sales advice, 21% (21% in 2023)
• 191 funding applications for a total of €8.2 million (191 applications and €7.3 million in 2023)
• 41 investment plans for a total of €9.7 million (41 plans and €17.9 million in 2023)