The call for applications to the University of Helsinki's 2nd Circulator pre-incubator programme is now open. The circular economy themed early-stage entrepreneurship programme for will run from 14 April to 9 June.
As an ideas-to-solutions programme dedicated to encouraging and facilitating the processes of transforming research-based ideas into viable entrepreneurial solutions, Circulator and its experts will focus on providing participants with both the basic tools for developing their idea into a well-defined circular economy solution and the know-how to navigate the challenges relates to taking your first steps in entrepreneurship.
Some practical skills participants will be taught during the intensive programmes twice a week workshops include how to fill in a circular business model canvas, which helps them create a dynamic and easily updated business plan, how to generate user profiles in order to understand what motivates potential users, how to seek funding to develop and grow your solution, and more.
For its second edition, the programme will also feature an advisory panel made up of circular economy experts who will help participants by first framing the opportunities and challenges in circular economy right now, highlighting where applicants may want to focus their idea generation in. Then, during the programme, participants will have the chance to book one on one sessions with these advisors for more in-depth advice. More information about the advisory panel will be published in the coming weeks.
In addition to getting access to the insights and guidance of the programme's experienced and dedicated experts and advisors, participants will have the chance to find their role within the broader network of circular economy players that Circulator 1.0 helped build. Moreover, programme participants will discover a community of likeminded peers to lean on throughout the experience, or to potentially join forces with.
“The best part of the programme was definitely the friends I made!”, said Bhagyashree Khot, a participant in the first Circulator programme. “I made so many lasting connections with people—it’s good to be surrounded by others going through the same experience”.
This sentiment is shared by Project Lead Santeri Tuovila: “Circulator is a fantastic way to bring ‘ecosystem people’ together. In all honesty, communities get my job done, I just facilitate their work!"
Those interested in finding out more about the programme are invited to attend Circulator 2.0's open "Get to know the programme" session on 8 March at the Helsinki Incubators space on Vuorikatu 3 at 16:00. The relaxed event will have testimonials from Circulator 1.0 alumni, a Q&A about the programme, and keynotes on circular economy. To attend, please register here.
Organised by the Helsinki Incubators in collaboration with the Helsinki Think Company and the Mixi Center, and made possible by the City of Helsinki as a part of its Campus Incubators network, Circulator 2.0 is part of the University's entrepreneurship services intended to help boost the creation research-based companies and ventures. Helsinki Incubators’ programmes are aimed towards any motivated University staff members, students, alumni, and residents of Helsinki who want to see concrete actions taken to bring about impactful changes.
The pre-incubator will kick off on the 14 April, and will run until its final showcase on the 9 June. The programme will follow an intensive, bi-weekly form, and be structured around both lesson-based, informative teaching, and practical workshop activities and assignments. Programme organisers are hoping to take in a cohort of 15 to 20 teams under their wing, each of which will receive personalised guidance and support throughout their journey. As with all of Helsinki Incubators’ programmes, Circulator 2.0 will be free of charge and conducted in English.
If you are interested in participating in the pre-incubator, apply by 31 March! For more information about Circulator 2.0, see the programme page, along with a more detailed schedule here.