In this blog post, we sit down with Lotta (CCO) and Teemu (CEO) to discuss Emblica’s recent participation in Kasvu Open, a growth-focused program designed to help companies enhance their strategies and scale their operations. Lotta and Teemu share their experiences, insights gained, and what reaching the top 10 means for Emblica.
Kasvu Open describes itself as a program that “organizes sparring sessions for companies to enhance their growth capabilities.” How would you describe what Kasvu Open is?
Lotta: Kasvu Open is a fantastic opportunity for growth-oriented companies looking to refine their strategies and gain fresh perspectives. The program connects participants with industry experts and other companies, providing immersive sparring sessions and networking opportunities. It's a platform where businesses can receive valuable insights, all aimed at enhancing their growth capabilities.
Can you describe in more detail what participation in Kasvu Open entails?
Teemu: The program spanned about six months, during which we completed online tasks and detailed questionnaires related to our growth analysis. However, the core of the experience revolved around onsite days. These included 1:1 sparring sessions with experts, group discussions, and, of course, a lot of networking during and after the sessions.
Lotta: We had the flexibility to influence the topics of our sparring discussions and could choose experts based on the areas we wanted to focus on. The sparring sessions were engaging and supportive, offering concrete tips and advice while also challenging our existing strategies. It was a great mix of friendly discussions and constructive critique.
Why did Emblica decide to participate in Kasvu Open this year, and what was the application process like?
Teemu: This year felt like the perfect time to join Kasvu Open. Emblica is growing steadily, and we have ambitious projections for the coming years, especially as we consider international expansion. We were eager to gain external insights into our strategy and to network with experts and other like-minded companies.
Lotta: The application process started with filling out a comprehensive Growth Analysis (Kasvuyritysanalyysi). This analysis covers everything from basic company information to deeper insights into our team, market potential, references, and growth potential. Experts evaluated our responses and our performance during the 1:1 meetings and we were selected to the top 60 companies. Eventually, the judges selected us for the top 10.
What do you think made Emblica a good candidate for Kasvu Open to be selected into the top 10?
Teemu: The judges highlighted our consistent growth, clear vision, strong references, and our modern approach to leadership. I think a modern culture where people are trusted and taken care of is something that the judges would like to see more widely adopted in other organizations.
Lotta: Additionally, Emblica operates in the rapidly growing data and AI market, which gives us a natural edge in scaling our business. The fact that we have a track record of 70+ implemented projects across multiple industries helps us leverage the market growth even better.
What were the biggest insights you gained from the program that you are willing to share?
Teemu: The most interesting observation came from a mentor who said: “It sounds like your customers are all forerunners.” This was something we hadn’t realized before, but it perfectly captures the type of clients we attract.
Lotta: We got so many useful insights, from strategies to scale our sales team efficiently, and enhancing our brand awareness, to hearing past experiences on expanding into new markets. The direction we’re headed looks promising and now we have even more tools in our belt to choose from. We can use these tools when there is a need to improve any of the areas as well as many professionals in our network to consult if needed.
Were there any personal highlights or memorable moments you’d like to share?
Lotta: One of the most rewarding aspects was when the mentors and judges asked challenging questions that I hadn’t considered before. It pushed me to explain our current approaches and evaluate if it is really the best approach. I enjoyed seeing how all the companies went through this and how open-minded and curious Kasvu Open participants were.
Teemu: My main highlight is getting to know so many growth-oriented companies, many of which are looking to grow not only in Finland but also internationally just like us.
Now that Kasvu Open has concluded, can we expect any significant changes in how Emblica will operate?
Lotta: I wouldn’t say there will be massive changes from a customer perspective. Our team will continue designing and developing top-tier solutions with a focus on delivering tangible business value. However, we’re constantly improving our operations, and we will definitely incorporate the key learnings from Kasvu Open to further enhance our operations.
Teemu: Agreed, no drastic changes are planned. One of the most important insights from Kasvu Open is to have the confirmation that we are doing the right things. It doesn’t mean we’ll stagnate, though. We are continuing to evolve in ways that matter for us and for our customers.
Thank you for the interview any final thoughts?
Lotta: The Kasvu Open experience has been an amazing journey for Emblica, helping define our growth strategy and enhancing our network of industry experts. Making it to the top 10 was incredible and shows that our vision and expertise are set to take us to the next level.
Emblica is not your average data team. We build customized solutions for collecting, processing, and utilizing data for all sectors, especially at the R&D interface. Whether our target is a factory line, an online store or a field, you can find us busy at work, hands in the clay - at least at our office in Helsinki.