From Ambition to Action: How Finland Gave Indian Climate Startup Cero Hero a Global Edge
The climate crisis demands urgent action. For startups in this space, the pressure to move fast is immense. Cero Hero, a mission-driven company founded by Indian entrepreneur Sai Teja, understands this urgency well. The startup is tackling one of climate tech’s toughest challenges: changing human behaviour to reduce Scope 3 emissions. While their journey began in India, its trajectory was reshaped thousands of kilometres away in Finland.
Seeking Clarity Over Capital
When Cero Hero began exploring international markets, the team looked for more than just funding. They sought an environment that would sharpen their focus and strategy. Finland quickly stood out for its R&D-friendly policies and its genuine openness to innovation.
“We weren’t just looking for funding, we were looking for clarity — and Finland gave us that.”
– Sai Teja, Founder, Cero Hero
This pursuit of clarity is what sets Finland apart. The ecosystem is not built on hype, but on a foundation of long-term thinking and sustainable growth. It provides a space where founders can refine their ideas, test their models, and build businesses designed for longevity.
The Finnish Advantage: A Launchpad for Global Climate Tech
Finland offers a unique combination of efficiency and strategic support that creates a powerful launchpad for startups. The Finnish system is designed to help innovative companies succeed.
T-Hub has teamed up with Business Finland, a governmental organisation that helps Finnish companies grow and expand internationally. In addition to fostering business growth, Business Finland is working to make Finland the world’s most attractive and competitive hub for innovation, investment, and business.
Cero Hero’s experience highlights three key advantages in the Finland Ecosystem:
- Efficiency: The government provides faster documentation and approvals related to setting up a company compared to many other European countries.
- Networks: Startups gain immediate access to local incubators and highly specialised, climate-focused networks that can accelerate growth.
- Strategic Support: Business Finland, together with other public organisations in Finland, provides critical support in understanding cultural norms and navigating compliance rules, which is invaluable for foreign founders.
From Theory to Traction: Early Wins and Hard Lessons
Cero Hero’s focused approach is already delivering results. In India, the company partnered with BITS Pilani to pilot a campus-level net-zero initiative, proving its model’s effectiveness in a community setting. The startup has also onboarded its first paying customers in Dubai, where new climate compliance mandates have created a strong market need. Their modular platform simplifies carbon accounting and reporting, making it ideal for organisations navigating ESG mandates in Europe and the Middle East.
However, the path was not without its challenges. Sai Teja is candid about the hard lessons learned during the relocation to Finland.
- Navigating Finland’s strict taxation and employment rules proved difficult. “We initially made costly mistakes with hiring and bookkeeping,” Sai admitted.
- The personal adjustment to the cold Nordic climate was also a real challenge that required resilience.
These obstacles became critical moments of reflection. They forced the team to build stronger documentation, sharpen their value proposition, and improve their financial planning. These lessons, learned the hard way, ultimately made the company stronger and more prepared for long-term success.
A Hidden Gem for Indian Founders
Today, the Cero Hero team is not just building a company; they are building a bridge between India and Finland. They believe Finland remains a largely undiscovered opportunity for Indian entrepreneurs.
“Finland is still a hidden gem for Indian founders,” Sai said. “It’s not just about access to Europe. It’s about access to clarity, values, and a genuinely collaborative ecosystem.”
In the high-stakes world of climate tech, urgency often drives action. But Cero Hero’s journey reminds us that clarity drives longevity. By choosing a supportive ecosystem, embracing challenges, and focusing on a clear plan, the company has built a foundation for meaningful, global impact. For any early-stage founder considering a move to Europe, Cero Hero’s answer is yes — but go with your eyes open and your plans clearer than ever.
