Page 44 - May-June-July Life In Naples

NAPLES ACCELERATOR

JUMP ONBOARD

by Claire O. Murphy

F innair would like to be the first to welcome you to Miami International Airport.
All too familiar words to one of the busiest entrepreneurs in the Naples
Accelerator as he makes frequent trips to his home-country of Finland.
Oskari Kariste, Chairman of Ilme, M Room and Local Greens and father of
three pre-teen daughters, spends his summers in Finland, “so the girls have close
ties back to Finland” but moved to Naples permanently in 2014 after being a
vacationer here for three years prior.

“It’s all about happy accidents,” Oskari said when describing his start with
the Accelerator. Oskari was looking to do business here in Naples and was
introduced to the Accelerator through local businessmen before it even came
into existence. Then, once the Naples Accelerator was ready to add companies,
he jumped onboard.

Oskari recognizes the benefits of being in the Naples Accelerator because of
the easy access to local business networks and “introductions to potential partners
and investors that can support your business, which is especially important for
international companies,” Oskari explained. The Accelerator gives companies the
stamp of credibility that investors and customers can feel good about.

44 Life in Naples | May • June • July 2016