OP Financial Group is stepping up to join Supercell as a Key Partner of Hive, helping to shape the next generation of tech professionals in Finland.
A Bold Partnership for a Bold Mission
OP Financial Group is no stranger to the challenge of recruiting IT professionals. “We’ve long had to look internationally to fill IT roles” says OP Financial Group President and Group CEO Timo Ritakallio. “The reality is that without labor-based immigration, we won’t be able to sustain our welfare state. That’s why initiatives like Hive, which make coding education accessible regardless of background, are so critical for Finland’s competitiveness.”
Hive is an independent non-profit foundation that offers a private, tuition-free coding program in the heart of Helsinki, with no teachers, no lectures, and no traditional classrooms. Instead, students learn by doing, solving real-world problems and collaborating with their peers in a self-directed learning model. It’s a revolutionary approach, and it’s working.
The Results Speak for Themselves
In just five years, Hive has helped 245 individuals launch careers in Finland’s tech sector. Over 100 companies—ranging from tech giants like Nokia and Wolt to cultural institutions like the Finnish National Opera and Ballet—have hired Hive grads. And it’s not just the numbers that impress.
“Employer feedback has been outstanding” says Supercell CEO Ilkka Paananen. “We built Hive to serve the entire Finnish tech ecosystem, and we’re proud of the impact it’s had so far.”
- 60% of Hive students are international, with the vast majority choosing to stay in Finland after graduation
- 59% are career changers, bringing experience from other industries
- 60% had no prior coding background before joining Hive
This shows that with the right support, almost anyone can transition into tech, and fast. Hive’s program takes just 1.5 years to complete, making it one of the most efficient tech training pipelines in the Nordics.
A Call to Action: Join the Movement
With OP Financial Group now joining our mission as a Key Partner, Hive is inviting one or two more visionary organizations to secure their tech talent pipeline while investing in the future of Finland. “We have a unique opportunity here” says Drussila Hollanda, Hive’s founder and chair of the board. “Hive is agile. As an independent, private actor, we can quickly respond to industry needs and help shape the future of education in tech.”
Supercell and OP Financial Group both see this as a long-term investment, not just in a school, but in the future of Finland’s economy, workforce, and innovation landscape.