Consumer Solutions
Entrepreneurship Builds the Future
21 October 2026
Entrepreneurs create jobs, growth and future prosperity. But as energy markets, technology and customer expectations evolve, businesses need partners who can help them navigate change and seize new opportunities.
As a main partner of the leading entrepreneur organizations in Finland and Sweden, Fortum participates in key entrepreneurship events as part of these partnerships, creating opportunities to meet entrepreneurs, listen to their needs and better understand the challenges they face. A common theme emerged across both countries: growth starts with understanding customers’ real challenges and turning ideas into action.
Growth Through Customer Understanding
At Finland’s Entrepreneur Days, Fortum and Elisa hosted a panel discussion on how businesses can turn customer challenges into new growth opportunities. The discussion highlighted three practical lessons: listen to problems, test ideas quickly and build growth through partnerships and networks.
“Many successful businesses start with a customer conversation, a small experiment and a willingness to learn,” says Walter Alen, Partnership Manager at Fortum.
Turning Ambition into Action
In Sweden, Fortum presented the Årets Drivkraft award for the first time together with Företagarna. The award recognizes entrepreneurs who advance electrification, innovation and sustainable business growth through concrete actions.
The first recipient, farmer Lars Paulson of Kvarngården, has built an energy self-sufficient business by converting farm by-products into electricity, heat and biogas, replacing around 65,000 litres of diesel annually.
Through Årets Drivkraft, Fortum also wants to recognise entrepreneurs whose influence extends beyond their own operations. The aim is to make concrete examples visible, encourage others to act and show how individual businesses can contribute to broader electrification and transition.
More Than an Energy Supplier
The discussions in Finland and Sweden reinforced that entrepreneurs expect more than reliable energy supply. They are looking for partners who can help them understand their options, make informed decisions and find solutions that support both current operations and future growth.
“Entrepreneurs build the future by turning challenges into opportunities. Our role is to make the energy side of that journey as reliable, relevant and straightforward as possible,” Alen concludes.