On December 11, 10 teams took to the stage at Huone for TREMOR’s Demo Day, showcasing their social impact solutions. The event, a culmination of almost seven months of intensive development, brought together participants, mentors, judges, and alumni, exemplifying the programme’s unique blend of innovation and community spirit.
The evening featured high-quality pitches addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from combating hate speech to fostering sustainable team-building. It was also a moment to celebrate the deep sense of community and mutual support that TREMOR nurtures.
The panel of judges—Stefan Haglund, Minttu Ripatti, and Carl Alm—praised the creativity and thoughtfulness of the solutions presented. Minttu Ripatti, a seasoned sustainability and business expert, shared how inspiring it was to see innovative approaches to overlooked issues.
“It was really nice and pleasant to see some really big issues being raised,” she reflected. “Topics like hate speech and handling death were approached in ways we hadn’t necessarily considered from a business perspective before. I also saw a strong focus on language learning, which is clearly a global need. Every pitch brought something unique, which made it difficult for us to decide—it was a truly thought-provoking evening.”
The judges weren’t the only ones impressed. Programme Manager Pete Karumo, who had worked closely with the teams since May, expressed his pride in the participants. “Congratulations to you all,” he said. “You’ve done amazing work—step by step, you’ve built something meaningful. Keep moving forward, and remember why you started. Be proud of what you’ve achieved, because this is just the beginning.”
For the participants, the journey was as much about personal growth as it was about refining their business ideas.
Nick Nelson, co-founder of Good Grief!, spoke about the ups and downs. Good Grief! creates a safe space to process death and mourning through a café, bookstore, event space, and digital resource center. "I don’t think it was an easy journey,” Nick admitted, “but I learned so much and I’m very happy I took part. It was difficult at times, but also fun. The challenges pushed me to grow, and I feel more confident about what Good Grief! can accomplish now.”
For Thanasis, founder of Kepos, the programme offered a supportive framework to address both professional and personal challenges. Kepos is developing community-managed urban gardens to reconnect people with food production and local ecosystems.
“The toughest part was dealing with my own inner workings,” Thanasis shared, “but the framework of the programme was so supportive. It gave me the tools I needed to grow personally, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come. There’s still a lot of work to do, but I feel ready to tackle it.”
The team behind Juniper, a platform for sustainable team-building activities, credited their mentor, Sara Mattila, for helping them move from concept to reality. Co-founders Venla Hakunti, Anni Lyytikäinen, and Lotta Wilkman described Sara as a guiding light throughout the process.
“We don’t know where we’d be without Sara,” Venla said. “She gave us structure, helped us take one step at a time. We started with just an idea, and now we have a product. That’s something we’re incredibly proud of.”
Sara Mattila, an impact entrepreneur and sustainability researcher, has been a dedicated mentor to many TREMOR teams. Reflecting on her role, she had shared with us before: “Having someone in your corner, especially during uncertain times, can be invaluable. It's about believing in someone's potential, even when they can't see it themselves."
The Juniper team highlighted how crucial this support was. “We had nothing when we started,” Venla added. “Now we have something tangible. Sara didn’t just guide us—she believed in us and gave us the confidence to move forward.”
Demo Day also brought alumni and mentors together, showcasing the enduring sense of community within TREMOR. Jenny Law, a TREMOR alumna and entrepreneur, is now a mentor herself. Reflecting on the event, she said:
“One step at a time, these solutions are becoming realities. It’s incredibly inspiring to see ideas like these take shape, especially when they’re addressing such important issues. The sense of community here is what makes TREMOR so special—it’s not just about pitches; it’s about the people and the connections.”
Her words echoed throughout the evening as participants expressed gratitude for the friendships and networks they had built. Julian Honkasalo, founder of Counter Speech, which aims to combat hate speech and misinformation, shared heartfelt thanks to the community.
“A warm and humble thanks to all the fellow pitching teams, the mentors, judges, and, of course, Pete!” Julian said. “This was simply the perfect way to celebrate together. The sense of community here is something I’ll carry with me.”
As TREMOR concludes its third round, it leaves behind a growing network of changemakers dedicated to creating meaningful impact. With each round, the programme strengthens its mission of fostering innovation, personal growth, and a sense of belonging.
Pete Karumo’s closing words captured the spirit of the evening: “This is just the beginning. Keep moving forward, and remember the power of what you’ve built here.”
Looking ahead, the TREMOR team is already preparing for the next round. Applications for the upcoming incubator programme will open soon, inviting a new cohort of innovators to join this thriving community.
TREMOR returns in 2025, and the next call will open in January.
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 pre-incubators and incubators? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on our open calls.