PKyritykset

Pk-yritykset (pienet ja keskisuuret yritykset) refer to small and medium-sized enterprises in Finland. They are private sector businesses that do not belong to the category of large corporations. Internationally, SMEs are defined primarily by the number of employees and by turnover and balance sheet totals. In the European Union, micro enterprises have fewer than 10 employees and turnovers or balance sheets not exceeding €2 million; small enterprises have 10–49 employees and turnovers or balance sheets not exceeding €10 million; and medium enterprises have 50–249 employees with turnovers not exceeding €50 million or balance sheets not exceeding €43 million.

In Finland, pk-yritykset constitute the backbone of the private sector, spanning sectors from manufacturing and construction to services and technology. They provide the bulk of employment and are important for regional development and innovation, often driving local supply chains and entrepreneurship.

Common challenges for pk-yritykset include access to finance, attracting and retaining skilled workers, digitalization and innovation, regulatory and administrative burdens, and internationalization with export ambitions. The size and agility of these firms can be both a strength and a constraint in competing with larger counterparts and adapting to rapid market changes.

Policy and support for pk-yritykset come from a combination of national and EU instruments. In Finland, agencies such as Business Finland and Finnvera offer advisory services, grants, and financing to SMEs. European programs, including COSME and various research and innovation funds, target pk-yritykset to foster growth, productivity, and internationalization. Statistics Finland collects data on SMEs to inform policy and monitor trends.