What if building something meaningful is less about fitting in, and more about growing into your place over time?
In this episode of Founder Frequency, Caitie sits down with Riikka Loisamo, CEO of The Shortcut—an organization helping internationals in Finland find their path through employment and entrepreneurship. With a career spanning Singapore, Taiwan, and Kenya, and experience across banking and tech (including expanding Slush internationally), Riikka brings a global perspective to how people build, adapt, and create opportunities across different environments.
Together, they explore what it looks like to open doors—not just for yourself, but for others. From supporting international talent to building programs like Spark Academy, this conversation highlights how ecosystems evolve when more perspectives are included. They also reflect on how confidence, direction, and belonging are often things we grow into and not things we need to have figured out from the start.
If you’ve ever felt like your path doesn’t look “typical,” or wondered how to turn your background into something valuable, this episode offers a refreshing perspective. One that reminds you that there are many ways to build, and that your way is allowed to take shape as you go.
In this episode, we talk about:
What The Shortcut is and how it supports international talent in FinlandRiikka’s journey across banking, tech, and global ecosystemsWhy there’s no single path into entrepreneurshipHow programs like Spark Academy are opening new doors for womenTurning your background into a strength when building something newWhat it means to create opportunities for yourself and for othersLessons from working across Singapore, Taiwan, and KenyaGrowing into confidence and direction over timeThe role of community in shaping what feels possibleWhy more diverse perspectives make the ecosystem stronger
Where to find us!
Keep up to date on Instagram: @wednesday.communityExplore the wednesday. database!Connect with wednesday. on LinkedInFind Riikka on LinkedInLearn more about The Shortcut: website | LinkedInConnect with Caitie on LinkedIn
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About Founder Frequency
Founder Frequency is the official podcast of wednesday. Hosted by Caitie Santo, we explore the real stories and perspectives shaping the founder ecosystem. In each episode, we talk about what it’s actually like to be part of this space—the decisions, lessons, and identity shifts that come with it, and how we can shape a more inclusive future for women and non-binary founders.
