SAMK alumna Menghua Liang-Haavisto named Satakunta’s New Entrepreneur of the Year

Menghua Liang-Haavisto from Pori, entrepreneur and founder of Kiinalainen Hoitola Liang, has been named the winner of the Satakunta New Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 competition. This was the fifth time the annual award was presented.

Menghua Liang-Haavisto completed her Finnish nursing degree at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) in 2021.
Menghua Liang-Haavisto completed her Finnish nursing degree at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) in 2021.

The three-member expert panel selected Menghua Liang-Haavisto as the Satakunta New Entrepreneur of the Year because her range of services is unique. The panel highlighted the company’s customer-oriented, responsible and community-minded approach, as well as the way its services complement and enrich the local health and wellness sector.

Liang-Haavisto also represents an important and growing part of Uusyrityskeskus Enter Satakunta’s clientele: people with international backgrounds who seek to create employment for themselves through entrepreneurship.

At her clinic, established in 2024, Menghua Liang-Haavisto combines expertise in Finnish healthcare with traditional Chinese medicine practices. Liang-Haavisto holds nursing qualifications from both China and Finland, having completed her Nursing degree at SAMK in 2021. Before becoming an entrepreneur, she further developed her expertise in China by studying methods including acupuncture, dry cupping and moxibustion.

The winner was selected from four finalists by an expert panel consisting of Jukka Hurrila (entrepreneur and Chair of the Board of Porin Seudun Yrityspalveluyhdistys ry), Kati Suomi (Associate Professor of Marketing, University of Turku, Pori Unit of the Turku School of Economics) and Jari Taimi (entrepreneur).

Four entrepreneurs or entrepreneurial teams were selected as finalists from among those who entered the competition:

  • Alvarin leipomo Oy / Armas Alvari (Karvia)
  • Kiinalainen Hoitola Liang (Yes! Liang) / Menghua Liang-Haavisto (Pori)
  • Panelianjuhlatalo Oy / Sulo Niemi (Eura/Panelia)
  • Teelempi Oy / Jenni Kaski and Leena Rajainmäki (Pori)

Profiles of the finalists are available at:

entersatakunta.fi/uusyrittaja2026

The competition prizes were donated by Porin Seudun Yrityspalveluyhdistys ry, Prizztech Oy and Satakunnan Yrittäjät.

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