Grannenfelt Finance –2020 through the eyes of a funding specialist, and a gaze into the future

The world around us
Covid-19, the rapid change tearing through the operational environment of 2020, surprised societies worldwide. Even the boldest contingency plans could not have foreseen a shocking standstill of this magnitude, neither in society nor in business life, and even in political decision making.

Before, Finland’s competitiveness in global markets was a topic of debate. Now, up for discussion is whether Finland has the ability to come back to global market arenas at all in a post-pandemic world, where innovations and R&D investments make or break economies. Worth noting in the debate is also the fact that the Finnish economy has been treading water over the past decade since the financial crisis, only growing around 1 percent per year.

This change in the operational environment challenged, and still challenges, many industries in an unparalleled way. Some of our businesses are in crisis due to reasons outside their own control. At the same time, the change in the operational environment has also created remarkable opportunities for countless companies. Many have changed their business models, their production lines, or targeted their businesses to a new clientele. This way, these companies have created growth, employment, and secured their cash flows. We have witnessed unexpected growth stories and unbelievable abilities to overcome crisis.

An advisor’s highlights in 2020
Just as everyone else, we at Grannenfelt Finance were also taken by surprise when the corona virus cast its shadows on SME operations. Our clients represent a cross-section of Finnish SMEs – from innovative high-tech digital companies, transport companies, and players in the travelling industry, to companies in the creative sector. For some of our customers the pandemic created remarkable opportunities, which they quickly grabbed. For others, 2020 became a struggle of having enough cash to survive.

Despite the circumstances, we find we succeeded in our work with our clients last year. We were able to help many companies in their investment funding and growth, as well as in the financial challenges caused by the pandemic through rearrangements, new growth financing or funding for disruptive circumstances. All in all, we carried out over 70 customer projects, and were the sparring partner to many of our clients in their financial challenges.

Throughout our years in business, we have been forerunners as specialists in EU funding. In Finland, we are known for propagating the opportunities of the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund in Finnish companies and institutions.

In the end of 2020, we entered a collaboration contract with Inspiralia Group, whom we represent in Finland, Sweden, and Estonia. Inspiralia Group is a leading product development and innovation consultant and an EU grant application advisor in Europe. Our partnership with Inspiralia strengthens Grannenfelt Finance’s competitiveness in EU funding services and is our first step toward internationalisation.

What does 2021 have in store for this funding specialist?
The board of Grannenfelt Finance approved in February 2021 our company’s purpose, the strategic aim for 2023 and the plan for reaching this aim.

In accordance with our strategy, our purpose is to expedite and improve the success of growth companies, financial players and institutions as an independent specialist, advisor, sparring partner, and mentor in financing. For our customers, our sights are always set beyond the present moment, and we contribute to an emerging financial market that supports successful SMEs.

The customer is in the centre of our strategy. With our expertise, we map our client’s current situation and goals, to offer tailored financial services that best fit our client’s individual needs. We recommend comprehensive and proven financing solutions that consider our customer’s operational situation in innovative ways. Our vast experience with different customers, industries, and ways of working gives us the ability to work according to our client’s wishes.

While we help our clients grow, we also wish to grow our own advisor business. Our goal is to increase our revenue growth from last year’s 20 percent to a growth closer to 30 percent. We trust that this growth is driven by successful projects, happy customers, as well as by recommendations and recognition.

Growth cannot, however, be reached without skilled professionals. We already have a professional and experienced team, which we further strengthened in July 2020. We pay attention to our team’s wellbeing, and through our projects we create opportunities for professional growth for our team members. Here everyone is given the chance to participate in different projects and customer meetings from the start, regardless of the length of their career.

As part of our strategy, we invest in visibility. In the future, our homepage, LinkedIn, and Twitter pages will serve even better as the home of the newest financial intelligence, topical discussion openings, and insights in financial markets and company financing.

The best way to become acquainted with our business is by signing up for our newsletter and following us on social media. You can also book a non-binding conversation session with me.

As soon as the pandemic eases, we will return to traditional face-to-face meetings, seminars, and events.

I look forward to our collaboration, and seeing and hearing from you!

Pasi Kämäri
CEO, Managing Partner