Welcome to the fourth edition of TREMOR! In today's ever-changing society, even small ideas can spark big changes. At TREMOR, we believe in the power of these ideas to transform communities and challenge the norm. Located in the heart of the City Centre, TREMOR offers a four-month programme for individuals ready to turn their business ideas into sustainable ventures with a social impact.
Selected participants will receive tailored support and mentorship to help them succeed. Through a mix of workshops, lectures, and networking events, TREMOR provides the tools and connections needed for growth. Together, we're building a community of change-makers committed to making a difference in the world. Join us on this journey of transformation and impact!
The TREMOR programme is free of charge and open to University of Helsinki students, researchers, and staff, as well as residents of the Helsinki Capital Region more generally. We welcome outstanding teams displaying a strong commitment to drive societal change and innovative business ideas from all backgrounds.
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.
Your goal? To challenge the societal status quo with your innovation or solution. Ours? To make sure that you receive as much help as possible to succeed.
Time Frame & Length: TREMOR will run for 4 months from 24 February to 9 June. The programme is an immersive learning experience structured around weekly on-site workshops, with regular mentor sessions will complementing your growth throughout the journey. The programme is split 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: Workshops are held at the City Centre Campus of the University typically once, sometimes twice a week. These sessions require in-person attendance from at least one team member per session.
Mentors: For the duration of the programme, your team will be matched with 2 mentors according to your needs. These experienced experts will provide support and actionable insights and recommendations to propel your solution forward. Mentor sessions will take place 1-2 times per month, either face-to-face or online, and will be scheduled by you independently. Mandatory attendance is required from all team members for every mentor session.
Programme Outcomes: By the programme's end, teams will have achieved key milestones, e.g. identifying precise problems, developing a solution, aligning with sustainable development goals, and creating polished Pitch Decks and go-to-market strategies. Participants will have gained entrepreneurial skills, including sales techniques and market insights, and an assortment of tools for the benefit of their careers more generally, such as problem-solving, teamwork and time management skills. More information can be found at the programme's schedule page.
To apply, please fill out the application form. We will carefully review all submissions, and teams meeting the criteria will be invited for a 30-minute video interview with our TREMOR team via MS Teams as the initial step. Selected teams will be notified in due time prior to the start of the programme. The application deadline is 9 February 2025, at 23:59.
Curious about TREMOR? Still have 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?
Then consider attending the TREMOR info session, held on 21 January at the Helsinki Incubators Space in the City Centre. You'll be able to get answers to all of your questions related to the programme directly from programme manager Pete Karumo, hear alumni talk about their experiences, and find out how you can take part in TREMOR.
Click the link below for detailed information on the sessions and make sure to sign up beforehand to attend!
Can't make it to the info session? No problem! Feel free to contact the Programme Manager Pete Karumo.
Email: pete.karumo@helsinki.fi
Mobile: +358 50 438 9235
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.