Any cooperative is founded with a written incorporation instrument. Its signatories are called incorporators, who will also become its members. There can be one or more incorporators. Incorporators of cooperatives can be foreigners living or residing outside the European Economic Area.
The cooperative is always obliged to file a notification of incorporation at the Trade Register. The cooperative exists only after its registration.
Start-up advice is available from Pellervo Coop Center plus, among others, from Finnish Enterprise Agencies, ProAgria agencies, and numerous regional enterprise service organizations around the country. Some of them employ business advisers specialized in starting cooperatives. Tampere Region Cooperative Center offers advice, training, and consulting against payment. The Trade Register provides advice in Finnish on number 029 509 5900. You are always welcome to contact other cooperatives in your region to hear experiences and ask for advice.