Unique saunas, music news and company expansions

Gubbe raises four million euros for its mission of combating loneliness among the elderly. The investment was led by Spintop Ventures in syndication with Finnish Industry Investment. It will be used for the Finnish expansion and international roll-out of Gubbe’s service, which connects young people and students with elderly people needing help with chores. Arctic Startup has the story. (Photo: Gubbe)

Helsinki-based group of music companies Fullsteam celebrates its 20th anniversary. IQ Magazine interviewed its founder, Rauha Kyyrö, about the determination, drive and mantra that puts the artist first that have driven the group’s success. (Photo: Facebook / Fullsteam Agency)

Is sauna the secret to Finland’s happiness, asks Travel+Leisure. The magazine describes sauna as a “staple of Finnish culture — a way of being — and it's incorporated into everyday life in unique ways”. This includes saunas in Ferris wheels, buses, conference rooms and even inside a Burger King. (Photo: Julia Kivelä / Lahti Region)

The Fennia Prize 2022 Grand Prix has been awarded to Finnish daycare centre concept HEI Schools. Developed in a multidisciplinary working group featuring pedagogues, architects and graphics designers, the concept turns Finnish daycare expertise into an export product. The prize jury commended HEI Schools as a “good example of social design where the use of design has increased diversity and children’s quality of life”. (Photo: HEI Schools)

Okmetic is building a nearly 400 million-euro silicon wafer plant in Finland. The company, a Finnish subsidiary of Chinese semiconductor maker NSIG, announced the investment would more than double its production capacity and create over 500 jobs. The construction is expected to begin by early 2023, writes Reuters. (Photo: Facebook / Okmetic)

Virta expands with a new office in Singapore. The office will serve as the Finnish smart charging platform developer’s regional headquarters in Southeast Asia and Australia. Virta’s first published contracts in the region are with Thailand-based EVolt Technology, Malaysia's VSD Automation, Tetris Energy of Australia and a Singapore taxi fleet operator with over 12 000 taxis. Read more on Future Mobility Finland. (Photo: Mikko Törmänen)

Osmo Vänskä has been named Minnesota Orchestra's conductor laureate. Vänskä has led the orchestra as its musical director since 2013. He is scheduled to step down from the role and take on that of conductor laureate in July. This means the Finnish conductor will return annually to conduct the orchestra, writes The Violin Channel. (Photo: Lisa-Marie Mazzucco)

Move over 5G, Finland forms a national coalition to prepare for 6G. The coalition, called 6G Finland, brings together several research institutes and companies across the country. Their aim is to “build new international partnerships, intensify national 6G co-operation by more prioritised and coordinated joint actions and increase the impact of Finnish 6G expertise globally”, writes RCR Wireless. (Photo: Aleksi Poutanen)

Music Finland celebrates its 10th anniversary with an in-depth interview with Finnish music industry pioneer Jaakko Salovaara. Salovaara, also known as JS16, has produced several hits, including Sandstorm and Freestyler. In the interview, he talks about his career highs and lows, and about passing on his knowledge to the next generation. (Photo: Facebook / JS16)

Infinited Fiber Company (IFC) partners with fashion giant PVH, the parent company of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. As part of the multi-year deal, PVH will start to replace cotton with the Finnish biotech company's regenerated fibre called Infinna. It’s made from textile waste, used cardboard and crop residue. Infinna will be first used in Tommy Hilfiger t-shirts and later expand to Calvin Klein products, writes Vogue. (Photo: Infinited Fibre Company)