Responsibility and freedom go hand in hand
03 | 2021 Sanna Valkeejärvi
Kipinä is a software development consultancy with a fair share model. What does it mean and how is it perceived? Let the people of Kipinä tell you themselves.
”Having equity in a company is a fantastic thing. Job postings often ask for so-called team players. However, it is precisely this partnership model that fosters true teamwork, as both potential profits and losses are shared. The success of colleagues in their work and the prosperity of the company are directly in the financial interest of every partner, which in turn encourages helping coworkers and finding the best solutions for the entire company.” – Tomas Günther
”Dare to question established structures, because working life can and should be enjoyable and tailored to your own preferences. Everyone doesn't have to be a cog in a large machine. Kipinä's partnership model uniquely combines responsibility and freedom with practically non-existent hierarchy. In a way, I am an entrepreneur, but by no means a solo entrepreneur.” – Juha Inkinen
”The ground rules of team entrepreneurship are clear to us. Responsibility and freedom are well-defined concepts for professionals with a long background in the industry. Experience brings accountability to everything we do, which makes the partnership model work exceptionally well.” – Nora Lindahl
”I believe this model and environment are not suited for junior developers; they require experience and self-confidence. If you are an experienced professional capable of handling demanding tasks independently, the reward potential is significant. Taking calculated risks pays off when successful. The team at Kipinä shares a clear vision of how work should be done, and the correlation between responsibility and freedom is deeply understood.” – Tony Repo
So Kipinä is not staffed by employees, but by equal partners who are willing to take responsibility for the company. In return, they are empowered to shape both the company and their own working lives. The fact that people value each other and the community as a whole is what makes Kipinä.
”Ultimately, it always comes down to the client since that's who we do the work for, but there is flexibility in working hours for those who want it. Being a partner also offers the flexibility to choose your own preferred development tools.” – Tony Repo
"What's great about this model is the emphasis on recruiting experienced professionals. Then everyone gets to work with professionals and learn from each other. At Kipinä you are not a piece in the bureaucratic wheel, but a genuinely important part of the business. Working in a smaller company like this with a good team is motivating in itself, not just the ownership." - Tomas Günther
"It's a security to have the support and expertise of the whole Kipinä and the ecosystem behind you. It is also important for Kipinä people that the team has a good spirit and will to make Kipinä a place where people feel comfortable. People want more than just money, they want to live a life of their own. Yet at the same time you can develop your career and be at the top of your field." - Nora Lindahl
"At Kipinä, you don't have to spend extra energy thinking about the secondary things you're used to in traditional jobs. For example, if I want to improve the way we work, I don't have to get creative in the jungle of organisational parts and values: it's enough to bring it up for discussion. As shareholders, we are all jointly responsible for the development of the company." - Juha Inkinen
In essence, Kipinä's model is about working together and distributing the resulting financial gains fairly among the partners, while ensuring there is time left in life for things outside of work. For this model to function effectively, the operations and culture emphasize 100% transparency—ranging from open communication to monthly financial figures.
Being part of the Kipinä requires people to have experience and the ability to take responsibility for their own projects. Kipinä is looking for experienced software development and data experts who value continuous learning, professional pride and a passion for solving customer challenges. Not to be forgotten is the ability to be a team player and the desire to work in Kipinä's team entrepreneurial community.
Each shareholder must also share in some way the Kipinä values.