Finland's startup environment is growing and thriving, with an entrepreneurial landscape that is fueled by a highly educated workforce, a collaborative attitude, and easy access to resources. Startup incubators and accelerators are amongst the key players in the advancement of early-stage firms and the startup ecosystem of Finland. In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of all incubator and accelerator programs in Finland, along with a short overview of their programs to help you determine a suitable program. The incubators and accelerators in this list have been subdivided into applicability for startups in their 'ideation' or 'launch' stages.
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FULL LIST OF STARTUP INCUBATORS AND ACCELERATORS IN FINLAND
Ideation Stage Startup Incubators in Finland
Full list of ideation-stage startup incubators in Finland:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Health
Health Incubator Helsinki is a comprehensive incubator program that supports research-based early-stage teams and startups in Finland's health industry. The initiative seeks to promote growth and innovation in Helsinki's health and health technology industries. It serves as a forum for these teams and businesses to develop their ideas, gain access to resources, and seek advice. These include mentorship from experienced professionals, networking opportunities with industry leaders and experts, access to funding to help bring their ideas to life, and business development support to help them navigate the challenges of the market.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Red Brick provides assistance to pre-revenue entrepreneurs to develop their startups all the way to their first clients and funding. They provide a wide range of services, with the goal of assisting entrepreneurs in defining their mission, receiving useful feedback from clients, and developing a specific strategy for establishing and running their company. One of Red Brick's distinguishing features is that the program is conducted online, is fully free for participants, and does not require any equity from companies. This makes it appealing to entrepreneurs wishing to expand their businesses without diluting their ownership. The program provides extensive support, including mentorship, networking opportunities, and feedback sessions, helping startups navigate the challenging early stages of their development.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Based in Oulu, Finland, the Oulu Startup Incubator is a non-profit incubator that assists early-stage firms in managing through the difficult initial phase of their entrepreneurial journey and developing successful startups. The incubator provides a fostering environment for companies from a variety of industries, allowing them to have access to the resources and skills needed to accelerate their growth. The incubator offers its members a variety of resources and support, such as mentorship, networking opportunities, and assistance in developing sustainable enterprises.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Located in Turku, Finland, the Turbine Campus Incubator is the campus incubator of Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. The Turbine Campus Incubator organizes a number of competitions, events, workspaces, and an early-stage company incubation program for Metropolia students and graduates, with a heavy emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship. Startups who join Turbine Campus Incubator may benefit from industry leaders' skills and experience, as well as access to a thriving network of like-minded entrepreneurs.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
The Aalto Startup Center, housed within Aalto University, has been instrumental in nurturing the country's startup environment. The center provides entrepreneurs with long-term development programs that provide them with the resources, mentorship, and support they need to establish sustainable firms. The center has been essential in building a healthy and thriving startup ecosystem in Finland, encouraging entrepreneurs to take risks with their ideas and iterate with an open mind, fostering a culture of continual learning and experimentation.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Aalto Entrepreneurship Society (Aaltoes) is a leading student-run entrepreneurship society in Helsinki, Finland. Established in 2009, Aaltoes aims to foster high-growth entrepreneurship in Finland, particularly within Aalto University. The organization started by organizing events and bringing in role models to inspire and educate students and researchers. Over time, Aaltoes expanded its operations and secured premises at Aalto Venture Garage, a co-working space supported by Aalto University. It also launched a few accelerator programs, providing early-stage startups with mentorship and support. With a diverse range of activities, Aaltoes offers real-life entrepreneurial opportunities for its members. The organization hosts over 100 events annually, providing a platform for networking, learning, and collaboration.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Space Tech
The European Space Agency's Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) in Finland is a program dedicated to assisting space-tech startups. The ESA BIC's main purpose is to provide financial assistance and access to innovative space technology to Finnish enterprises and industries through ESA channels and initiatives. They provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity for startups to obtain access to finance, mentorship, and networking trough ESA assistance and partnership with research partners and existing enterprises.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: VR/AR
The HXRC Development Hub in Finland is a cutting-edge institution that acts as a hub for extended reality (XR) research, development, and innovation. Established in 2019, the HXRC Developer Hub is a cooperation between three major entities: Aalto University, the University of Helsinki, and the Helsinki XR Center. The hub provides a variety of programs, workshops, and events that bring specialists from diverse disciplines together to share their knowledge and skills. The hub serves a critical role in promoting XR technologies, generating innovation, and placing Finland as a worldwide leader in the XR sector by encouraging cooperation between universities, industry players, and entrepreneurs.
Launch Stage Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Finland
Full list of launch stage startup incubators and accelerators in Finland:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: EduTech
xEdu, which was founded in 2016, is Europe's top accelerator for edtech startups developing revolutionary learning solutions. To assist entrepreneurs in developing novel educational technologies, the accelerator provides a complete spectrum of assistance, including coaching, mentorship, and access to networks and resources. With an emphasis on pedagogical impact, xEdu assists entrepreneurs in incorporating emerging technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) into their educational products. The expertise and assistance of the accelerator enable entrepreneurs to build individualized learning experiences, improve teaching techniques, and bridge the skills gap in order to prepare students for the future workforce.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Energy
Based in Vaasa, Western Finland, Energy Spin Accelerator strives to assist energy startups in expanding by linking them with corporate partners and offering meaningful support. Energy Spin believes in the potential of new ideas and collaborates closely with entrepreneurs to better understand their core businesses. This includes assisting with business models, preparing them for meetings with corporates and investors, and facilitating market entry. In addition, the program arranges events and works with other organizations to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in the Finnish energy industry.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Boost is a Turku-based entrepreneurial society that aims to stimulate and support young students who want to establish their own businesses. They host a range of startup events, accelerator programs, and mentorship sessions. Their Startup Journey program is an eight-week accelerator that provides participants with a wide range of support and tools. Startups in the program engage closely with mentors and experts who help them refine their company concepts, build prototypes, perform market research, and prepare for launch. The program concludes with a pitch event in which businesses present their ideas to potential investors, followed by continued support and advice to ensure their long-term success.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
The Founder Institute is a renowned startup accelerator program with locations across the world, including Finland. With the purpose to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs and assist them in building long-lasting enterprises, they provide a program with a structured curriculum designed to educate founders through the early phases of founding a startup. The program includes a variety of topics such as concept validation, product development, marketing, sales, and fundraising, among others. The Founder Institute provides participants in Finland with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to turn their startup ideas into successful businesses through a combination of intensive training, mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, and access to a global network of investors and advisors. The program concludes in a graduation event where founders pitch their ventures to a panel of experts, potential investors, and the broader startup community.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
With a track record of providing significant value for entrepreneurs, Kiuas has established itself as Finland's foremost startup accelerator. Kiuas Accelerator provides a specialized support system, including resources, coaching from industry professionals, and access to a large network of investors and advisers. Participants in the program have enthusiastically recommended it to other entrepreneurs, noting the program's capacity to provide valuable topics for growth, challenging and insightful coaching, and professional support in solving specific problems.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Business Helsinki Accelerator strives to provide essential business advice and services to entrepreneurs with aspirations of international growth. Startups participating in the program will receive important assistance and coaching to assist them in navigating the hurdles of developing their businesses in global marketplaces. Business Helsinki Accelerator acts as a catalyst for startups in Finland, empowering them to thrive in the competitive global market and achieve their goals of international growth.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
With the aim of fostering entrepreneurship and driving innovation, Mutiny Accelerator provides a broad variety of services to help ambitious businesses expand and prosper in the global market. Mutiny Accelerator provides specialized coaching and training programs, providing businesses with the required skills and expertise to manage the startup ecosystem's hurdles. Furthermore, the program connects businesses to a large network of mentors, investors, and industry experts, allowing them to gain essential advice and insights.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: VR/AR
Nordic XR Startups is an early-stage investor and accelerator that contributes to the growth and competitiveness of the Nordic VR/AR ecosystem. Aiming to stimulate creativity and propel the XR technology landscape ahead, Nordic XR Startups offers pre-seed funding and six-month accelerator program for Finnish technology entrepreneurs. This program provides companies with significant tools, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities, allowing them to succeed in the thriving XR startup environment.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Venture Development Finland Ltd. is a prominent Finnish business development and investment firm that offers a wide variety of services including investment advisory, incubation, acceleration, and growth assistance. One of Venture Development Finland's primary assets is its vast network and collaborations with industry experts, investors, and important players. This enables them to connect businesses with the resources, mentorship, and financial possibilities they require to flourish. The company's seasoned team of specialists has a thorough understanding of the Finnish industry, providing startups with insightful market knowledge and personalized support as they navigate the obstacles of developing their businesses and making strategic choices.
Closing Thoughts on Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Finland
Prominent accelerators have established a presence in all these cities to foster the growth and success of startups in the country's dynamic entrepreneurial environment. With approximately 2,000 businesses and scaleups, Helsinki is the core of Finland's startup ecosystem. However, other cities including Oulu, Turku, and Tampere also contribute to the thriving startup environment with their infrastructure, networks, and skills. This network of startup hubs enables cross-country collaboration and knowledge exchange, creating a supportive and inventive environment for businesses to grow.
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