I can build a global company even though I live on a small island

Since 2016, Enfuce has accelerated from 5 to 138 employees and the number continues to grow. One team is based in Mariehamn, with the majority of the others at the office in Espoo. In addition, there are employees throughout Finland, Germany, England and Sweden.

A stimulating workplace with many challenges

Enfuce offers services for digital payments operated in the public cloud. Currently, the business is built around a broad offering within card issuing.

The focus on digital payments makes Enfuce a company in constant need of skilled engineers. According to Denise Johansson, a large proportion of employees work either in Java development or with AWS expertise, databases and networks.

– We have no fixed strategy about whether we should grow in Åland or on the mainland or in the rest of Europe, but we look for the right people. When we find a person who feels that Enfuce is the right employer – and we feel that person is the right employee for us – the placement tends to work itself out.

Open applications are always welcome.
– Sometimes things move so fast that not all positions are advertised, so if we already have contact with someone who has shown interest, that's an advantage.

Teams spread across several countries also means that the ability to collaborate and see opportunities with colleagues in different locations are qualities prioritized when hiring.

– You shouldn't need to sit in the same room to make a collaboration work. You have tools at your disposal that make it easy to communicate regardless of whether the person you're communicating with is sitting next to you in Åland or in England, but of course we also see the need and added value of in-person meetings for our teams.

A life in Åland with the world as your job market

Mariehamn Airport is otherwise well-known to Denise Johansson. The role of CEO involves a large number of travel days. She is often asked why she lives in Åland and whether she thinks it's worth traveling so much.

– It is, because we enjoy life here so much as a family. My children were born and raised in Åland and I want them to continue growing up here. I'm also grateful that I can build a global company even though I live on a small island. I get to where I need to be when I need to, and in between, everything happens remotely anyway. In that case, it really makes no difference whether I'm sitting in Åland or in Espoo.

Denise Johansson herself moved to Åland. Originally, it was a young love that took her from Hanko to Mariehamn, but when the relationship ended, it was studies in business administration at the Åland University of Applied Sciences that kept her there. After graduating, a permanent job at Ålandsbanken awaited her, where she also met her husband Marcus.

– I really enjoy living in Åland and I appreciate the small-scale nature of it and how close everything is. Before having children, we could fit in golf, exercise and work in the same day and still have time for the dog and the house. Now everyday life is a little more adapted around the children, but the proximity is still a great advantage.

Global future plans

It's not just rapid development and innovative solutions that make Enfuce a name in the fintech industry. The company also attracts attention because it has secured major investors on its journey. By bringing in growth capital, it can continue to aim to become a global provider.

Today, Enfuce operates worldwide and collaborates with major clients in several important European markets, including the Nordic countries, the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands. The company aims to continue growing internationally.

– Our first goal was to become a reliable service provider for the Nordic market. Today we are growing rapidly in Europe and beyond, and continue to support customers around the world with the same focus on innovation and reliability.