Councillors and companies were connected by drawing lots – corporate sponsorship activities begin in Riihimäki

The City of Riihimäki, together with Riihimäen Yrittäjä, is launching a business sponsorship program. 34 city councilors and 36 companies signed up. The councilors and companies were matched by drawing lots. Two of the councilors will act as sponsors for two companies. The Riihimäki City Council has 43 members.

"A delightfully large number of entrepreneurs and councillors took part in the activity the first time. A very diverse group of Riihimäki companies of various sizes from different industries took part," says Mikko Suonpää, chairman of Riihimäki Entrepreneurs.

In the operating model, a sponsor representative meets with an entrepreneur or company representative once or twice a year. The sponsor provides the city with information about the entrepreneur's concerns and problems related to the city's business. The topics that arise are discussed together annually in meetings between the entrepreneurs and the mayor.

"The aim of the collaboration is to improve the flow of information between the city, councillors and companies and to increase mutual understanding. We also want to improve Riihimäki's ranking in the Finnish Entrepreneurs' Municipal Barometer," says Riihimäki Mayor Jouni Eho.

Every two years, the Finnish Federation of Entrepreneurs conducts a measurement, the Municipal Barometer, of the business-friendly attitude of municipalities. Riihimäki has risen in the overall rating to the better side of the national average between 2022 and 2024. However, the assessments of the appreciation of entrepreneurship by municipal elected officials in Riihimäki are below the national average (Riihimäki 2,8, Finland as a whole 3,10). One goal for the activities is to improve the results of the city of Riihimäki in the barometer.

The term of office of the business mentor is the same as the term of the city council, meaning that the term that begins now will last until May 2029. The model is based on volunteerism for both city councilors and companies.

Sponsors and companies from Riihimäki

HF Autohuolto Oy and authorized representative Sari Kykyri

Pop Service Oy and authorized representative Minna Belik

Tehomainos Oy and councillor Päivi Räsänen

Theatre Hotel Riihimäki and Councillor Jessica Sonko

SunForte Oy and authorized representative Sari Susanna Jokinen

Dance Art Oy and Councillor Hanna Hänninen

Children's Costume House Satu Prinkkilä Ltd and councillor Elina Riutta

Hairdresser Pink and authorized Riku Bitter

Kenno Tech Oy and authorized representative Erja Hirviniemi

Auto Sorsa Oy and authorized representative Salka Orivuori

K-Citymarket Riihimäki and councilor Mikko Arminen

CNCenter Oy and Councillor Maria Laakso

Riihimäen Rauta-Metalli Oy and authorized representative Marja-Liisa Saarinen

Emergency companies and councillor Taru Ahoniemi

Lasiliiri Oy and councillor Lauri Jormanainen

Tmi Sanna Ventola/Pieni Nappuoti and councillor Niina Bitter

Komtek Oy and authorized representative Terhi Vesala

K-Rauta Riihimäki and councilor Mikael Leinonen

Würth Oy and authorized representative Jari Heikkinen

Accounting and tax office Jalo-Heikkilä Oy and authorized representative Arja Tylli

Viita-Yhtiöt and councillor Kristina Ruuskanen

Riihimäki Wood Products and Councillor Aino-Kaisa Pekonen

Aulin Flower and Binding Ltd and authorized representative Hannele Saari

Flow Cosmetics and authorized representative Riitta Takala

AV-Ylänne and councillor Antti Jetsu

Cara Fashion Riihimäki and councilor Tero Nuora

Riihimäki Industrial Service Ltd and authorized representative Miia Nahkuri

Riihimäen Lukkohuolto Oy and authorized representative Petri Mattila

Mariikko Oy and authorized representative Aino Närkki

Café Mokkakuu and councillor Eija Aittola

Hotel Seurahuone Riihimäki and councillor Tiina Mämmelä

Martta Home Care Ltd and Councillor Silja Nurmi

Torni-Yhtiöt Oy and PT Resta Oy and councillor Aarno Yrjö-Koskinen

JuSa-Asennus Oy and councillor Aarno Yrjö-Koskinen

Pihaus Oy and councillor Juha Peltola

Putkinet Oy and councillor Juha Peltola

Additional information

News September 25, 2025: The City Board is discussing the start of corporate sponsorship activities.