The paper is based on the results of empirical researches conducted in 2008 – 2010. They concern two issues: 1) challenges that small innovative enterprises face trying to be international; 2) social and cultural barriers for entering Russian market (cases from Finnish companies). The author tries to generalize social and cultural factors which influence a process of internationalization of small innovative enterprises (SIEs). Research findings can be useful for businessmen and managers who aim to enter Russian market or to develop the existing business in Russi