Welcome to NEXUS, the innovative incubator programme where groundbreaking research meets entrepreneurial ambition. Designed for researchers, innovators, and aspiring entrepreneurs in the realms of AI & Deep Tech, NEXUS is more than just a programme — it's a catalyst for change, addressing society's wicked problems head-on.
In just four months, we aim to help you start your own company, introduce your product or service to the market, find funding, and plan your future according to your vision. Right from the start, you'll learn from experienced mentors and experts in the field, refining your idea until it's ready to meet real-world needs as either a basic version of your product (MVP) or Proof of Concept (PoC).
Your goal? To create a better future with Deep Tech and AI. Ours? To provide unwavering support as you navigate the path to success.
We invite all business ideas related to AI & Deep Tech to join us on this journey. Even if your concept doesn't squarely fit these categories but incorporates digital, tech, or other related aspects, we want to hear from you!
NEXUS is free of charge and open to the University of Helsinki's bachelor's and masters’ students, PhDs, postdocs, PIs, researchers, professors, staff, and other professionals in the Helsinki metropolitan area — no university connection required. We're looking for committed teams with great ideas!
Plus, you can earn study credits by participating in the programme too.
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.
Time Frame & Length: NEXUS runs from 24 February to 10 June. This four month programme is divided into two phases:
- The Foundation Phase / Bootcamp (Weeks 1-4), conducted with participants from all our incubator programmes, focuses on idea validation, business model development, and entrepreneurial fundamentals, with activities like customer interviews and rapid experimentation.
- The Specialisation Path (Weeks 5-16) offers tailored tracks — Nexus (Deep Tech, AI), Biosphere (Sustainability), and Tremor (Social Impact) — with advanced training, mentorship, and entrepreneurial guidance specifically designed for the specialisation track's subject.
Workshop Sessions: Expect engaging workshops once or twice a week, with 100% in-person attendance required at least for one of your team members. Mentor sessions are conducted online, and their timing is flexible and agreed upon separately with each mentor.
Programme Requirements: Teams must consist of at least two members, with at least one team member fully committed to attending workshops and completing assignments. Participation is mandatory, and active involvement is crucial for getting the full experience out of the programme.
Mentor sessions: Each team is paired with two expert mentors, supplemented by additional rotating mentors with specialised skills such as Marketing, Investments, Scaling, Technical, and Corporate expertise. Explore our NEXUS mentors' profiles to find out more about their skillsets.
Partner Opportunities: Participants will gain access to valuable resources from our partners, including Nokia's Network as Code platform for 5G integration, Continental's fleet data APIs for driver monitoring and compliance, and Vaisala Xweather's weather and environmental data APIs, with mentoring for selected teams.
To apply, kindly complete the application form at the link below. We will carefully review all submissions, and teams meeting the criteria will be invited for a 30-minute video interview with our NEXUS team via MS Teams as the initial step. The application deadline is 9 February 2025, at 23:59.
Curious about NEXUS? Have some questions you'd like to ask before you apply? Want to hear more about the programme to find out if it's the right place for you?
Register for our upcoming info session to learn more about the NEXUS Incubator and how it can benefit your startup journey. The session will be held on 23 January from 10:00 to 12:00 at Exactum B121 located at Peter Kalmin katu 5, Helsinki. Register here.
Can't make it to these sessions? No problem! Feel free to contact the Programme Manager Andrés Archila.
Email: andres.archila@helsinki.fi
Mobile: +358 50 521 5286
The University of Helsinki's entrepreneurship programmes, the Helsinki Incubators, provides support and opportunities for bold thinkers in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area interested to take their ideas and turning them into impactful ventures. Interested in taking part in our incubators? Check more information about our current call for applications here.