Empowering immigrant talent through a hackathon

Finland’s strength lies in its diverse talent

Finland's population is ageing, and the number of working-age people is decreasing. Immigrants have valuable education, experience and perspectives that are not always fully recognized or utilized in the Finnish labour market. To recognize and value the talent, we need structures and opportunities that help to make it visible. The Startup Refugees mentoring program and the hackathon held as part of it are concrete examples of how this can be achieved in a human-centered and impactful way.

Photo taken from the Startup Refugees hackathon on 9 October 2025 by by Anni Lehtonen / Startup Refugees.

Collaboration sparks new insights

The two-day hackathon, which took place at Tietoevry’s Espoo headquarters, brought together 22 skilled professionals of immigrant origin from around the world. The participants were experts from a variety of fields, offering practical experience in technology, data, marketing, and sales.

Throughout the event, teams tackled real business challenges related to job seeking and career development, combining their expertise in areas such as software development, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. The hackathon culminated in team presentations to an expert jury in an energetic and supportive atmosphere. Many participants said that it had been a long time since they last had a chance to showcase their abilities in a practical setting. As well as the competition itself, the hackathon helped to create valuable networks and connections that often last far longer than any individual project.

"This event was especially memorable, with several participants saying it was the first time in a long while that they had had the chance to truly demonstrate their skills."

What we learnt from the hackathon

In some ways, a hackathon reminds me of golf. Each participant brings their own swing, their unique perspective and expertise, and together they craft a solution that drives the whole team across the finish line.

This event demonstrated how collaboration can highlight talent, regardless of your background. When the goal is clear, teamwork accelerates progress beyond what any seminar or training session could achieve. Working with people from different backgrounds brings a variety of perspectives and ideas to the team. The most innovative solutions rarely come from people who all see things from the same point of view. Diversity isn’t just a social value; it’s a competitive advantage.

The hackathon proved that there is tremendous potential waiting to be recognized. We need more opportunities for that potential to shine, paving the way for the next success stories.

Photo taken from the Startup Refugees hackathon on 9 October 2025 by by Anni Lehtonen / Startup Refugees.