Helsinki Education Hub (HEH) Incubation Program supports early-stage EdTech startups and university-based teams, including researchers and students, in product development and testing. It provides advising and support in funding, both in Finland and internationally. HEH offers a 3-month Incubation Program twice a year.
One of the main issues in Edtech today questions: if a solution truly improves learning outcomes and how? Our Edtech incubator develops startups using the latest Learning Sciences research. This unique program is a blend of product development and business growth—fueled by close collaboration with leading experts from the Faculty of Education at the University of Helsinki.
Incubation program
We are looking for early-stage Edtech startups and University-based teams that are creating digital solutions for educational challenges in Finland and abroad.
Our incubator utilizes a hands-on product development program designed to fast-track edtech startups from concept to market. Rooted in the principles of , this immersive program guides founders through customer discovery, agile development, and rapid iteration to test and refine their business model.
Product Development Program
Our Incubation program is an innovation program that takes you through 12 weeks of Edtech specific training:
- Master the basics - We will support you in building the "engine room". That is when you develop a pedagogically solid solution. You will also go through the basics of startup metrics and financial aspects of running a company, get a hint on how to tell your story (pitch), and meet with educators who will mentor you in the pedagogical aspects of your solution.
- Develop your product - You will go through a Lean LaunchPad product development phase. This is when you start the product development journey: Build it, strengthen it and validate that you are doing the right things.
- Write your story - During the program we will focus on your story as a company. What are you doing and why? How do you tell that to the rest of the world? What makes you different? Why should you get funded - and how do you get funded?
- Test your solution - After creating a Minimum Viable Product, your solution is further co-developed with experts from the Faculty of Education at the University of Helsinki. You will then test and co-develop the product and validate your solution in the and/or through other networks.
- Expand internationally - The program not only supports product development and market entry for Edtech companies in Finland but also prepares them for international expansion. Participants will have the opportunity to present and pitch their solutions to both domestic and global investors.
- Accelerate your business - After graduating from the program, you will be introduced to EU and US based Edtech Accelerators (if you so wish). We see that it is important for you to understand other markets outside of Finland as soon as possible. For example, the best teams, will have an opportunity to be considered to get a fast track ticket to the (remote) Edtech Accelerator run by the Rossier School of Education at University of Southern California.
Apply to the HEH EdTech Incubation program
The EdTech incubation program opens for applications twice a year – in spring and autumn.
The application period for Spring 2026 is open until January 16, 2026.
Read more and apply here:
Questions?
If you have any questions about the program, please feel free to contact:
/ +358 40 194 4209
Edtech Innovation Lead, Senior Business Advisor at Helsinki Education Hub.