Samuli Mattila wins young entrepreneur award as care firm reaches €3 million

Samuli Mattila, 29, has been named Finland’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year as his care company has grown to employ 80 people and generate annual revenue of 3 million euros, Yle reports.

The Finnish Entrepreneurs organisation announced the award on Saturday at its national entrepreneur days in Lahti. The prize is 15,000 euros. Mattila founded Mattilan Hoivapalvelut in 2023 while on paternity leave. It has grown from a one-person business with revenue of 324,000 euros in its first year.

The company provides home care, personal assistance and support with everyday tasks in Central Finland. A friend provided 8,000 euros in start-up capital after Mattila shared his business idea.

Mattila previously worked at a child protection unit. He says the combination of shift work in care and raising young children was difficult, and describes his finances at the time as living from hand to mouth.

The company’s growth has been helped by purchases of services from wellbeing services counties, which opened opportunities for new providers around the time Mattila started his business. The Central Finland wellbeing services county has selected the company to provide daytime home care in Uurainen and Tikkakoski. Many customers come through the county, while others pay for services themselves.

Mattila says learning from mistakes and seeking advice from experienced entrepreneurs have helped him develop as a business owner. He hopes more young people will start businesses and says he is willing to offer them support.