The Youpret team was given the 2024 KotoTeko recognition at the Integration 2024 event, held on November 14 at Logomo, Turku. The recognition was given to the Youpret app for making interpretation services more accessible, especially for the most vulnerable, in a cost-effective manner. The app promotes the integration, employment, and inclusion of immigrants into Finnish society.
The Youpret app enhances interpretation service delivery
The Youpret app was developed to meet the needs of people who require interpretation, as securing an interpreter was previously time-consuming and expensive. The app enables users to book an interpreter from any smartphone – 24/7
Ali Giray, one of Youpret's founders, identified the need to improve the accessibility of interpretation services. Giray connected with Youpret’s current CEO and CTO, Heikki Vepsäläinen, whose technological expertise was enough to assure the business veteran Teemu Purmonen to join in as another co-founder. Pekka Nurmela, a digital business expert, has also been involved from the beginning.
The desire to improve access to interpretation services motivated the company's founding. The founders set out to challenge industry norms and started to develop a remote interpretation service that could function at any time, from anywhere. At the time, the field relied heavily on on-site interpretation, which required interpreters to travel to clients. The team aimed to change this.
“Remote interpretation is the best and most responsible choice for a country like Finland, both for accessibility and regional equity. Interpreters don’t reside evenly across Finland, so in order to offer services nationwide, physical presence isn’t feasible,” Purmonen emphasizes.
“In 2015, it could take weeks to secure an interpreter. Now, it takes minutes,” Vepsäläinen summarizes the progress made.
The first version of the Youpret app was launched in 2016.
Industry-leading technology
The Youpret app has earned a high reputation among users for its ease of use, resulting from years of dedicated development. Representing industry-leading technology, the app’s capabilities are proven: users can book an interpreter from a network of over 1,300 professionals in more than 120 languages, the app’s rating averages 4.7 out of 5 stars, and it serves 3,900 active client organizations.
“We deliver high-quality interpretation, and the system works. We can serve organizations of any size,” Vepsäläinen says, smiling.
Social responsibility at the heart of operation
Youpret exists to improve the standing of the most vulnerable in society, with advanced technology as the tool for achieving this goal. Youpret helps people communicate in their native language, enhancing their ability to participate in Finnish society. Youpret’s focus on social responsibility means it actively contributes to the well-being of people in its operating area.
The founders explain that Youpret’s functioning app is able to promote immigrants’ employment.
“Integration into Finnish society is made easier. Technology has helped Finns make use of skills from immigrants both inside and outside the EU, and Finns now better understand immigrants,” says Giray.
Youpret has long advocated for diverse work communities, noting that Finland's declining birth rate makes it increasingly necessary to look especially within immigrant communities in Finland, and also beyond national borders, for skilled professionals. Public discussion has also highlighted that already today there is a lack of qualified workers for certain roles.
Youpret recognizes that attracting skilled professionals to North Karelia requires proactive efforts to encourage students and immigrants, for instance, to stay. Both appeal and the ability to retain employees are essential.
“We looked at MDI’s migration statistics, which show that while migration is initially evenly distributed, people ultimately tend to settle in the capital region and Turku. Companies, too, bear a certain responsibility in making the area appealing. Besides work, there has to be something more—like recreational activities,” Purmonen describes Youpret’s view on the matter.
“We’ve seen that we are able to create jobs. In North Karelia alone, we’ve generated almost 100 jobs, and we aim to continue doing so. Some companies already recognize the immense potential in international talent. While skills needed vary, many roles can be filled if we don’t fixate on language skills alone. It’s about joining in work and social life,” Vepsäläinen adds.
Responsible operation through and through
Youpret’s responsibility extends beyond staff and interpreter network diversity. Transparent cost structures, too, express responsible operation.Iinterpreters receive fair compensation for their work and can see the portion of client payments that go toward administrative fees. Youpret also advocates for public procurement to consider factors beyond price alone.
“We’ll continue to influence public procurement to prioritize factors beyond cost,” Purmonen notes.
The most tangible example of Youpret’s commitment to responsibility is its engagement in the B Corp certification process, which assesses the company’s overall sustainability. Youpret is currently awaiting the results.
“In the future, the best and fairest employers will thrive, and that’s what we’re building toward,” Purmonen concludes.
Development and growth continue
Youpret has experienced strong growth in recent years. Its revenue has increased significantly, and Deloitte recently ranked Youpret among Finland’s fastest-growing technology companies.
Future developments will focus on responsibility and the scope of services. B Corp certification requires renewal every three years, with continuous improvement needed during each period. International expansion is on the horizon, as the company just closed their first European technology sale outside of Finland’s borders. The range of services is also expanding.
“We’re including text translation into our service package. Comprehensive service is the goal. We’ll continue to focus on interpretation, but at the same time we are able to effectively provide translation services to the customers” Purmonen and Vepsäläinen explain together.
For more information
Nea Kolmonen
Marketing and communications Manager
nea.kolmonen@youpret.com
+358 400 254 410
A guide to successful interpretation
We’ve created a downloadable guide for our clients, making interpretation requests easier and faster. This free, handy information package can be saved for internal use within your organization, for example, for onboarding new employees. The guide enhances the customer experience and helps you learn about the interpretation options that suit your needs best.
Download the customer guide
About Youpret:
Youpret is a Finnish company specializing in interpreting services and language technology. Our goal is to be the most sustainable operator in the language industry as well as to support the daily work of our interpreters and promote their well-being. The Youpret app we have developed is an intelligent interpreting service interface for organizations. The app combines all forms of interpreting into one service package, where an automated system handles the selection of interpreters, reporting, and invoicing. We handle over a thousand interpreting assignments per day. Through Youpret, you can get a professional interpreter for over a hundred different languages, either instantly or by appointment, for either remote or in-person interpretation – 24/7.