A better and fairer future has always been close to our heart at Castrén & Snellman. During our long history, we have provided advice in socially important, ground-breaking cases and created opportunities for growth for promising young influencers.
31.5.2024
The success stories of the future are written by the new generation – scholarship recipients are now chosen
In the spring of 2023, we awarded scholarships to distinguished students to celebrate our 135th anniversary. The scholarships were awarded to students who had used their voice and given their all for a better future. Those who prioritise community over self and who not only dream but also take action. We wish to continue supporting those who will build our future and will award two students in higher education with a scholarship of EUR 1,000.
We are happy to announce that the scholarships were awarded to these distinguished students:
Jotham Berhanu, law studies, University of Lapland
Thomas Joutsikoski, economics and business administration, sustainable business management, University of Tampere
Our warmest congratulations to all the scholarship recipients! You really deserve this recognition.
The scholarship recipients were chosen by a scholarship panel including Castrén & Snellman’s Managing Partner Sakari Lukinmaa, HR Director Outi Ruohola and influencer Kaarina Harkonmäki, who acts as a UNESCO youth delegate during the period 2024–2025. The panel processed all applications anonymously.
‘I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the students who applied for the Scholarship for the Future. We also want to thank all the referees. The applications were meticulously and carefully prepared and showed the applicants’ will and determination to change the world for the better. Many applicants had a strong track record of making a difference in something close to their heart from a young age as well as convincing plans and goals for the future. It’s wonderful that we get to award the people behind the success stories of the future with scholarships. Even though we can’t reward every applicant with a scholarship, every single contribution for a better future deserves encouragement and thanks,’ says HR Director Outi Ruohola.
The scholarship applications made a great impression on the panel, and it considered various aspects in making its decisions. The applicants have made a difference in student organisations and politics as well as in other areas of life. Important themes included the wellbeing of students, children and young people, animal rights and nature conservation, combatting climate change, equality, justice, security, financial skills of young people and economic inequality among young people. A common characteristic of the applicants was giving their all for a better future.
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A. Ahlström – ESG advisory and corporate sustainability due diligence process planning
We advised A. Ahlström in establishing a corporate sustainability due diligence process plan which incorporates best practices and tailored solutions based on our expertise within relevant business sectors. Our comprehensive ESG offering also included tailored training for members of the investment team and management team and the board of directors of several portfolio companies. ‘The ESG team at Castrén & Snellman provided us with legal and practical advice around the ESG regulatory tsunami that we need to incorporate in our ESG work,’ comments Camilla Sågbom, Director, Sustainability and Communications, at A. Ahlström Oy. A. Ahlström is a family-owned industrial company, developing leading global specialist positions in Forest & Fiber and Environmental technology sectors.
Case published 5.9.2024
Vapaus Bikes Finland – Series A funding round
We represented Vapaus Bikes Finland Oy, a company offering employee benefit bikes, in its international EUR 10 million Series A funding round. The investors behind the funding are private equity investors Shift4Good and Superhero Capital Ltd as well as Tesi together with the European Guarantee Fund of the European Investment Bank. The equity-based funding will support the company’s international expansion, software development, platform automation, and the growth of its concept for the second-hand market of bikes. Vapaus Bikes Finland is at the forefront of sustainable mobility services and has been a pioneer in the Employee Benefit Bikes sector since late 2020. It has been ranked among Finland’s fastest growing companies. Shift4Good is an impact venture capital fund focused on the decarbonisation of the transportation sector. Tesi (officially Finnish Industry Investment Ltd) is a state-owned, market-driven investment company that invests in venture capital and private equity funds and directly in Finnish startups and growth companies.
Case published 21.8.2024
City of Rovaniemi – Former employees ordered to pay damages in an investment decision matter
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Case published 21.8.2024
Tesi – Investment in Sisu Auto
We advised Tesi (Finnish Industry Investment Ltd) in its investment in the heavy duty vehicles company Oy Sisu Auto Ab. With this investment, Tesi became an owner in the company with a share of 24.4 per cent. Sisu Auto is a pioneer in the Nordic market in the development of heavy duty vehicles. Sisu’s core competences are in the product development and production of trucks and military vehicles. Tesi is a state-owned, market-driven investment company that invests in venture capital and private equity funds and directly in Finnish startups and growth companies. The investments managed by Tesi total 2.1 billion euros.
Case published 19.8.2024