Human values drive Web 3.0 and blockchain startups in Helsinki
In addition to hard technological excellence, innovators of today need soft factors such as trust and creativity more than ever. Startups in Helsinki draw on both to build blockchain and Web 3.0 networks that shake up rigid industries.
Not apart
A part
Deeply human values guide the startup ecosystem in Helsinki. Known for its world-class education system, transparent institutions, and quality of life, Finland is home to a growing wave of startups redefining how content is created, owned, and distributed.
Silentberry empowers creators in a decentralized era
Silentberry is a blockchain-based publishing platform that allows anyone to publish and monetize their work without traditional barriers. This is an especially helpful approach for those working in minority languages or non-mainstream formats. Founded by Haiping Dong, a veteran of the cultural industries in China, the platform offers a uniquely inclusive model of storytelling.
Through a multi-layered NFT system, authors can release their work in stages – Golden Berry, Silver Berry, Bronze Berry, and Blue Berry – mirroring startup-style funding rounds. Early supporters gain not just access to the content but also rights and financial returns as the work gains traction.
“Every voice can be heard, no matter how small it is,” says Dong. “In the traditional publishing world, stories in rare languages or from marginalized communities are often overlooked. In Helsinki, we found a place that values freedom of expression – and gave us the space to innovate.”
Silentberry’s relocation to Finland in 2022, facilitated by Business Finland and Helsinki Partners, marked a turning point. “We came here for freedom of content creation and stayed for the trust, stability, and incredible ecosystem,” Dong shares. “Silentberry is an icebreaker for authors, and Helsinki is the ideal harbour.”
“We came here for freedom of content creation and stayed for the trust, stability, and incredible ecosystem. Silentberry is an icebreaker for authors, and Helsinki is the ideal harbour.”
Haiping Dong, Founder
Cyon.media rewrites the rules of the film industry
Meanwhile, Cyon.media, with their ecosystem Cyon, is taking a bold step toward transforming the global film and media industry from the inside out. Founded by Lotta Stenroos, a Finnish producer, and Tracie Mitchell, a UK-based broadcast and media architect, the startup is building what they call a media ecosystem.
Their mission is to empower filmmakers and creators – particularly independent filmmakers – by using blockchain to streamline financing, distribution, and rights management. The technology behind the platform is complex, but the experience for users is intentionally simple.
“We’re building a company that’s people and human first—and then assisted by technology,” says Stenroos. “The industry is filled with creativity, but systems are outdated and unfair. We want to help creators succeed, not just survive.”
Cyon’s upcoming pilot with Vantaa Orchestra, which features filmed concerts distributed via blockchain safelinks, offers a glimpse of what the future might hold. The platform makes it easier – and cheaper – for content creators to reach global audiences without the need for subscriptions or expensive integrations.
“We’re not building just a platform,” Mitchell adds. “We’re co-creating a whole ecosystem with the industry. What if filmmakers could dream up a system that truly worked for them? That’s what we’re building – together.”
Innovation in Helsinki is based on community and happiness
Founders in Helsinki believe that running a company is not just about creating and taking advantage of business opportunities. More than mere transaction, the startup ecosystem in Finland stands for something larger, and, some say, softer. Here’s what the founders of Silentberry and Cyon think.
A culture of trust and collaboration
Finland is consistently ranked among the most trustworthy and least corrupt nations in the world. That foundation of social trust is mirrored in the architecture of Web 3.0, where transparency, decentralization, and community governance are key.
In Helsinki, startup founders find not only infrastructure and funding support, but also a culture that embraces experimentation and collaboration.
“Compared to many larger hubs, Helsinki might seem quiet,” says Dong. “But it’s a place of deep thinking, high-quality talent, and long-term commitment. That’s what Web 3.0 needs.”
A tech ecosystem that stays true to values
From Maria 01 to Slush, Helsinki’s startup ecosystem is globally recognized – but it’s also uniquely human in scale. Founders like Stenroos and Mitchell highlight how easily they’ve connected with advisors, developers, and institutions.
“We’ve stopped pushing,” Stenroos reflects. “When we stay true to our values – of kindness, empathy, and collaboration – the right people find us. Some of the most respected names in media are now reaching out to work with us.”
Finding personal and strategic happiness
In Finland, happiness is more than a statistic: It’s a social foundation. The UN’s World Happiness Report has ranked Finland as the happiest country in the world for eight years in a row, and this wellbeing translates directly into business culture.
“You can’t create in chaos,” says Mitchell. “Helsinki offers the silence, the forests, the freedom to think. And when you create from that place, the results are powerful.”
Collaborate, build, and invest in startups in Helsinki
For companies and investors looking to be part of something meaningful, Helsinki offers a market and a community.
- Seeking mission-aligned investment opportunities? Cyon is currently closing its pre-seed round and actively welcoming discussions with investors who share their values.
- Looking for new R&D frontiers? Both Silentberry and Cyon are pioneering new models in media and content monetization, with open invitations for co-development and pilot partnerships.
- Want to explore the city behind the vision? Come to Helsinki and connect with the ecosystem. Experience the culture of innovation and integrity firsthand. Be a part of change.
Whether you’re an investor looking to back transformative ideas or a company exploring partnerships in the Web 3.0 space, Helsinki is a city worth exploring.
