2025 Alvari Award to Cefmof, Entrepreneurial Promoter Award to KS Yritysidea
The City of Jyväskylä and JCI - Junior Chamber International Jyväskylä presented the annual Alvari Award at the PK-Yrittäjäilta event. In addition, entrepreneurial organisations awarded the 2025 Entrepreneurial Promoter of the Year Award.
2024 Alvari Award to Cefmof
The 2025 Alvari Award has been granted to the Cefmof Foundation. Despite its young age, Cefmof has already made a significant contribution to the sustainable urban development of Jyväskylä and the Central Finland region. The foundation’s initiatives, especially in hydrogen utilization, have brought innovative and ecological solutions to the city, supporting Jyväskylä’s carbon neutrality goals.
Furthermore, Cefmof has increased awareness of the potential of hydrogen and sustainable development by organizing events and participating in international cooperation. The foundation has initiated a project to build Finland’s first hydrogen refueling station in Jyväskylä and is promoting the adoption of hydrogen buses in the city’s public transport system. Thanks to these actions, Jyväskylä is emerging as a pioneer in sustainable mobility.
The award was presented on behalf of Jyväskylä JCI and the City of Jyväskylä. According to the award criteria, it can be granted to an individual or organization that has significantly promoted Jyväskylä’s business environment and increased the city’s recognition both nationally and internationally. Previous Alvari Award recipients include, among others, Lauri Markkanen and Spinnova Oy.
Since its inception in 1987, the Alvari Award has been presented to several distinguished individuals and organizations, including Mikko Markkanen (CEO of Crazy Town Oy), Risto Reivi (Head of Tourism), rally drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Tommi Mäkinen, Kasvun Roihu Oy, Seminaarinmäki Male Choir (Semmarit), Mayor Pekka Kettunen, Governor Kalevi Kivistö, Professors Lea Pulkkinen and Pekka Neittaanmäki, CEOs Ritva Nirkkonen and Matti Häll, entrepreneur Sami Penttilä (Penaudio Oy), JYP hockey club, Tiimiakatemia/Partus Oy, rally legend Simo Lampinen, Jelmu ry, Nordic Business Forum, and serial entrepreneur Lennu Keinänen.
KS Yritysidea received the Entrepreneurial Promoter Award
The 2025 Promoter of Entrepreneurship Award was granted to Central Finland Business Idea (Keski-Suomen Yritysidea).
The entrepreneur associations of Jyväskylä, Jyvässeutu, and Korpilahti annually present this recognition to a private individual, part of a municipal organization, or a community that has significantly fostered a positive entrepreneurial atmosphere or improved entrepreneurs' chances of success in Jyväskylä.
In their justification, the entrepreneur associations praised Keski-Suomen Yritysidea for its impactful work in supporting early-stage entrepreneurs. Despite being a small organization, K-S Yritysidea provides coaching for the initial stages of entrepreneurship, helps assess business skills, and guides entrepreneurs in developing them.
K-S Yritysidea maintains an extensive collaboration network with stakeholders supporting entrepreneurship. It operates as part of both regional and national service networks, covering not only Jyväskylä but surrounding municipalities as far as Hankasalmi and Joutsa. It also offers additional services for Jyväskylä residents considering entrepreneurship – ranging from information sessions to one-on-one mentoring. These services are particularly important for foreign-language speakers and clients with immigrant backgrounds. In 2024, this work led to the establishment of 157 new businesses.
The Promoter of Entrepreneurship recognition has been awarded since 2013. Previous recipients include Marjo Laine, Pekka Utriainen, Jaakko Selin, Sarita Humppi, Pirkko Flinkman, Risto Kovala, and most recently, Timo Koivisto.
Further information about the Alvari Award:
Tarja Niskanen, President, JCI Jyväskylä, tel.+ 358 40 838 6526
Timo Koivisto, Mayor, City of Jyväskylä, tel. +358 50 336 2819
For more information on the Entrepreneurial Promoter Award:
Reijo Kujala, Chairman of the Board of Jyväskylän Yrittäjät, tel. +358 50 61135
Päivi Leminen, Chairman of the Board of Jyvässeudun Yrittäjät, tel. +358 40 578 5873
Seppo Turunen, Chairman of the Board of Korpilahden yrittäjät, tel. +358 400 245 537
