John Kronberg: Career Growth with Cross-Border Support
John Kronberg’s career highlights the value of support and international experience in shaping a professional path. As a participant in the Springboard Project’s accelerator programme, funded by Interreg Central Baltic 2014-2020, John gained useful skills that contributed to his professional growth. In September, a team from Interreg Central Baltic had the opportunity to sit down with John to learn more about his journey.
John began his career in 2013, joining an emerging company in the technology sector. By 2015, the company was looking for ways to support the development of its team. The Central Baltic Startup Springboard project provided an opportunity to acquire essential skills through an international accelerator programme aimed at early-stage businesses.
In 2016–2017, John took part in the Springboard accelerator programme, which was designed to give startups the tools they needed to compete in international markets. For John, this meant learning how to pitch ideas, build confidence, and gain first-hand experience in a business environment. These skills proved helpful as he advanced in his professional journey.
“The Springboard programme gave us important support,” John recalls. “I appreciated the chance to participate in an international project, as it opened doors to new possibilities and helped me realize that expanding internationally was within reach.”
Johanna Puhtila, project manager for the Springboard Project at Business Turku, emphasized the programme’s focus on peer support and fostering a growth mindset. “For early-stage startups, it’s crucial to think big and learn alongside others in similar situations,” she noted. Johanna also highlighted the importance of gaining both international and local connections, as these provide valuable insights and credibility when expanding into new markets.
“Know your content. If you believe in what you’re pitching, the story will come across naturally, even if the delivery isn’t perfect.“
One of the main advantages of the programme for John was the hands-on training, particularly in pitching business ideas. He shared that presenting technology concepts effectively requires not only technical understanding but also belief in the ideas being shared. His advice: “Know your content. If you believe in what you’re pitching, the story will come across naturally, even if the delivery isn’t perfect.”
The international aspect of the programme also made a difference. John and his team were able to test their ideas in real-world settings, which gave them experience they wouldn’t have gained from a smaller, local initiative. This cross-border cooperation provided insights into how businesses operate on a global scale and how to tailor pitches to international audiences.
In addition to technical knowledge, the programme gave John the confidence to take on responsibilities in areas like HR and recruitment. These skills became useful as he continued his career at Silo AI, a tech company that, by 2024, was acquired for 665 million USD.
For future accelerator programmes, John suggests focusing deeply on the core value of the business ideas. “You need to be able to prove potential value with a solid foundation on why the idea can be valuable. Make sure that people in training know what is needed to get the idea out there and to start a business.” he emphasizes.
John Kronberg’s story reflects how initiatives like the Springboard Project can provide useful learning experiences and support professionals working in dynamic industries. Programmes like this don’t just benefit companies; they also help shape careers, build confidence, and open up new opportunities.
John Kronberg works as AI Engineer and People Specialist at Silo AI.
🚀 Want to know more about how Central Baltic supports business development and entrepreneurship? Explore our ongoing projects at the project webspace.
The Central Baltic Startup Springboard project facilitated the growth of new startups in Turku, Tallinn, and Riga, promoting cross-border collaboration between these cities. With a total budget of €1,338,502, of which €1,078,053 was funded by Interreg Central Baltic 2014-2020, the project ran from November 1, 2015, to January 31, 2018.
