The Kymistämö Initiative: Exploring Entrepreneurial Futures in Kymenlaakso

In the spring of 2024, the Kymistämö and Varustamo projects collaborated to chart the future of entrepreneurship in Kymenlaakso. The process began with a survey that investigated changes in the entrepreneurial environment using a PESTEV analysis. The comments were compiled into a table that presents the future of Kymenlaakso across four different scenarios.

Over One Hundred Comments Contributed

This comprehensive initiative began with a survey utilizing a PESTEV analysis to explore potential shifts in the entrepreneurial landscape. Political, economic, social, technological, ecological, and values-related factors were examined to forecast changes up to the year 2035.

The responses were remarkable. Entrepreneurs (five respondents) and stakeholders (eight respondents) had put considerable effort into their answers. The diverse backgrounds of the respondents resulted in complementary findings. Altogether, over one hundred detailed comments were received! These comments were synthesized into a table, revealing four distinct future scenarios for the region (see Table 1).

Table 1. The survey comments were synthesized and divided into four scenarios (Viljakainen 2024).

This proactive approach not only helps to predict future trends but also serves as a crucial foundation for developing a new strategy in entrepreneurship education. By understanding the alternative futures of entrepreneurship, we can more effectively address genuine needs and enhance structures that support entrepreneurial activities.

Historically reliant on large corporations, the Kymenlaakso region could benefit from fostering a more diverse small business environment. This could potentially lead to a more resilient economic structure and meaningful work within the region.

From Insights to Future Scenarios

The survey insights led to a workshop where groups crafted narratives depicting the day-to-day reality of entrepreneurship in 2035, each aligned with one of the envisioned future scenarios: Continuation, Collapse, Leap, and Transformation.

These narratives are vital as they illustrate the varied paths entrepreneurship might take. They highlight that the choices we make today significantly influence how the future unfolds. Some outcomes will naturally prove more conducive to fostering entrepreneurship than others.

This strategic approach anticipates changes and actively shapes a future where entrepreneurship can thrive amidst evolving challenges and opportunities. It underscores the importance of multi-dimensional education and policy frameworks that adapt to both current needs and future possibilities, ensuring that Kymenlaakso remains a vibrant hub for innovative and sustainable business practices.

Learn more about future narratives and entrepreneurial scenarios in Kati Viljakainen’s PDF presentation and YouTube video (available only in Finnish at www.xamk.fi/kymistamo ).

This article was produced during the Kymistämö – Comprehensive View of Skill Needs in Kymenlaakso project. The project concluded in August 2024, but the results can be found on the project’s website. Kymistämö was initiated by the Kymenlaakso Regional Council with funding from the AKKE programme.