BIOSPHERE Incubator Opens Fourth Call for Teams with Impactful Sustainability Solutions — Apply by 9 February

The University of Helsinki’s entrepreneurship services, the Helsinki Incubators, invites all teams working with ideas in sustainability to apply to the fourth edition of the BIOSPHERE in-depth entrepreneurship programme, or incubator, to come develop their solutions into startups. The intensive, four-month mentor-driven programme is built to help you transform your research, passion, or business concept into a company with both international growth potential and real positive environmental impact.

The programme is designed for teams consisting of bachelor’s and master’s students, PhD’s, researchers, staff, and alumni of the University of Helsinki. However, university affiliation is not a requirement, and anyone from the Helsinki Metropolitan Area is welcome to apply to the programme.

BIOSPHERE is looking for well-defined ideas in sustainability in various fields, including agribusiness, bioeconomy, biomass, biomaterials, circular economy, decarbonisation, eMobility, energy efficiency, green hydrogen, green transformation, and water use and treatment. However, we also encourage applications from outside of these domains, so long as they’re connected to sustainability or circularity in some way.

Through a combination of immersive workshops and collaboration between teams, mentors, and experts, we will provide your team a platform for rapid and effective entrepreneurial growth, and thanks to our network of Finnish and international companies and investors, you’ll be able to benefit from a range of opportunities that can support your company’s growth and success.

No business background? No problem! Lack of business experience is no barrier at BIOSPHERE. Our seasoned experts and mentors will provide you with skills and insights, making sure you have all the guidance and tools to turn your idea into a real product or solution that meets real-world needs and can succeed in the market.

By taking part in the programme, bachelor’s and master’s students, as well as doctoral researchers can earn 8 ECTS credits under the course code PHD-313. Further information can be found on the programme’s homepage.

Interested? Then apply now to make full use of this opportunity! Applications close at 23:59 on 9 February.

Still contemplating whether to apply? Why not read some of our BIOSPHERE alumni stories or interviews with mentors to learn more about the programme's impact? Be sure to also check out the important application information below:

Essential Participation Criteria: 

• Teams must have a minimum of two members. 
• Full engagement in all workshops and assignments is required. 
• In-person attendance is crucial, with at least one team member having to be present at every session and event, and active and committed participation is expected.

Time Frame & Length: 

BIOSPHERE 4 will run from 24 February to 12 June. The four month programme is divided into two phases: 

• The Foundation Phase / Bootcamp (Weeks 1-4), conducted with participants from our NEXUS and TREMOR incubator programmes, focuses on idea validation, business model development, and entrepreneurial fundamentals, with activities like customer interviews and rapid experimentation. 
• The Specialisation Phase (Weeks 5-16) offers tailored advanced training, mentorship, and entrepreneurial guidance specifically designed to support the development of startups in the sustainability field.

Application Guidelines: 

• A team of at least two members
• A suitable idea for the programme
• Filled out Business Model Canvas and Value Proposition Canvas
• A pitch deck presenting your idea and team
• A 3-minute video pitch presenting the problem you're solving, how you differentiate yourself from competitors, and why your team should be picked to take part in BIOSPHERE
• Evidence of idea validation (e.g. customer feedback, surveys, prototypes, test runs, existing paying customers or letters of intent, etc.)
• A 1-page document detailing your product/service, team, contact info, and website (if you have one)

Application Process: 

Please fill out the application form by 9 February, 2025, 23:59. Teams that match the application criteria will be invited for a 30-mintue interview with the BIOSPHERE organisers via MS Teams and selected teams will be notified in due time before the programme starts.

Curious about BIOSPHERE? Still have some questions you’d like to ask before you apply?

Then consider attending the BIOSPHERE info session held on 23 January at 11:00 in room K1046 at the Viikki Campus’ Info Center Korona (Viikinkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki). You’ll be able to get answers to all of your questions related to the programme directly from programme manager Pedro Gensini, hear alumni talk about their experiences, and find out how you can take part in BIOSPHERE.

Click the link below for detailed information on the session and make sure to sign up beforehand to attend!

Can't attend the session? Then feel free to reach out to Pedro directly – he'll be more than happy to answer your questions.

Email: pedro.gensinimotoa@helsinki.fi 

Mobile: +358 50 3091 810