Finnish software company became a trusted partner for international organisations

Molnix Oy’s software helps international organisations to quickly assemble aid teams to be deployed to disaster-stricken areas. With the support of Finnpartnership, the company carried out a pilot project that helped to expand the range of products offered to non-governmental organisations.

When an earthquake or a hurricane strikes somewhere in the world, international humanitarian organisations are in a rush to send professionals to the scene to help the victims of the disaster.

Finding the right people for the situation from the organisation’s extensive personnel register is made faster by software developed by the Finnish company Molnix Oy, which can manage even large numbers of personnel. “Our software automates HR tasks and speeds up the mobilisation of aid workers,” summarises the company’s founder, Johan Ehnberg.

Before becoming an entrepreneur, Ehnberg worked as a humanitarian aid specialist and was responsible, amongst other things, for personnel logistics in aid projects for the Finnish Red Cross. In his view, this was a laborious process using conventional software. “I suggested to the Red Cross that I could become an entrepreneur to develop HR software specifically tailored to the needs of humanitarian aid.”

Even a small business can become a trusted partner

With the help of a programmer he hired, Ehnberg built a functional solution for the Red Cross.  This domestic reference also opened doors to other organisations within the International Red Cross Movement. Since then, other international humanitarian organisations, including Care and Plan, have joined the client base.

Molnix is an example of how even a small company can become a trusted partner for international organisations. The company, which employs five people, had a turnover of 230,000 euros last year.

According to Ehnberg, the organisations require, above all else, reliability of service and transparency in business operations from their partners. “The service must function even under difficult conditions. Ensuring data security is also extremely important when handling personal data. Furthermore, the service must be cost-effective.”

The product range was expanded with the support of Finnpartnership

Next, Ehnberg began to consider how Molnix’s solution could be extended to cover, besides professionals, the HR management of volunteers at NGOs.

The company received REACT-EU funding from the ELY Centre for product development. The app was tested in Pakistan through the International Red Cross Movement, where the local Red Crescent has 650,000 volunteers.

To implement the pilot project, Molnix received Business Partnership Support from Finnpartnership, which enables Finnish companies to carry out pilot projects with international development organisations.

Funding is available, for example, for pilot projects carried out in collaboration with the UN, the EU, development banks or international NGOs. With funding of between €15,000 and €400,000, a company can cover costs such as travel and staff expenses, expert fees or equipment purchases.

For Molnix and its Pakistani partners, digitising a large staff register was a major undertaking. In addition to the technical work, the project involved training representatives of the Red Crescent so that they, in turn, could train others to use the software. “Without funding from Finnpartnership, we would not have been able to carry out the project,” says Ehnberg.

Organisations offer opportunities for companies

The pilot project demonstrated that Molnix’s software also works for the management of volunteers in organisations. At the same time, the company developed an operating model in Pakistan that can be utilised in other countries.

Ehnberg points out that the funding situation for international NGOs is currently challenging. However, these organisations may present new business opportunities for Finnish companies if the companies are able to offer cost-effective solutions that streamline operations.

“The key is to develop a product or service that meets the organisations’ actual needs. It is also important to understand how the organisations operate and their decision-making processes. Patience is also required, as it can take years for things to progress.”

Images: Molnix