Välikokoiset

Välikokoiset is a Finnish term used in business and statistical contexts to describe firms that are intermediate in size, sitting between small and large enterprises. The exact definition is not uniform and may vary by source, sector, and policy framework. In many discussions, välikokoiset correspond to what in EU terminology would be medium-sized enterprises, commonly characterized by tens to a few hundred employees and turnover that is larger than small firms but not on the level of large corporations.

Typical ranges are roughly 50–249 employees; turnover and balance sheet thresholds vary, commonly up to about €50 million turnover and €43 million balance sheet in EU definitions. However, in Finland and among policy discussions the term can also be used more loosely to refer to firms that are beyond the smallest category but not yet large enough to be considered major players, often with strong growth potential.

Characteristics of välikokoiset firms include more formal management structures, more diverse product and market activity, and greater opportunities and challenges in financing, recruitment, and international expansion. They often serve as a bridge between small, agile companies and large corporations, contributing significantly to employment and innovation.

Policy and statistics: In Finland, välikokoiset are a focus of scale-up and export support programs, business development services, and regional development initiatives. They are tracked separately from micro and small enterprises in national statistics to capture their unique growth dynamics.

Etymology: the term comes from väli ‘between’ and kokoinen ‘sized’.