Do you have an idea that could make the world a more sustainable place, a problem you'd like to develop a deep tech or AI-enabled solution to, or research in the field you'd like to create applications for? Are you ready to set out and take the first step on your entrepreneurial journey and discover new possibilities?
Compass is a Kumpula-based early-stage pre-incubator programme for teams and individuals of passionate thinkers and aspiring entrepreneurs wanting to create something meaningful in the realm of science and technology in an accessible and supportive professional environment.
With guidance and mentoring from the Helsinki Incubators team & hand-picked experts, we'll help you at every step of the way to work out a valuable solution to the challenge you've set out to tackle. Along the way, you'll also learn useful entrepreneurial skills you'll be able to utilise on this or any other professional journey you choose to pursue.
Over the programme's two month duration, our aim is to empower and embolden you, making sure that you get everything you need to either take whatever solution you create during the programme onwards to an incubator like NEXUS for further support, develop it into a business on your own, work on creating new solutions, or become a more attractive employee.
The programme is powered by the City of Helsinki.
The call for the third round of Compass has now closed and the programme itself will start on 6 October and carry on until 30 November.
The 3rd round of Compass will take place in autumn of 2023. The call is now closed and participants will be chosen shortly. The programme itself will begin on 9 October until 11 December, and will be held in-person and in English once a week at the Helsinki Incubators event space in the city centre.
Over the course of two months of engaging sessions, we'll help you first understand and define the problem you're working with, and then help you build a solution to it while teaching you key entrepreneurial skills with the help of guests and experts. Among other things, we'll cover creating a business model canvas, understanding your customer's needs, figuring out how to sell your solution, cover establishing a business in Finland, and more.
We look forward to beginning the journey for the 3rd edition our next Deep Tech, AI, and Sustainability pre-incubator!
For those considering applying to the next edition, Compass is an early-stage entrepreneurship programme for teams and individuals regardless of their affiliation with the University of Helsinki. All we require is that applicants have both a sustainability-related issue they'd like to develop a deep tech or AI-based solution for, and an interest in turning that solution into a business. For inspiration, we invite you to take a look at the participants from previous batches.
Do keep in mind before applying that in-person attendance will be mandatory, and repeated lacking in attendance will lead to a removal from the programme.
All applying teams will be interviewed, and selected teams will be informed prior to the programme starting.
For bachelor's or master's degree students:
Participants can request a certificate of attendance upon completion of the pre-incubator programme. The certificate is issued by entrepreneurship & innovation services at the University of Helsinki. The certificate outlines the completed content of the programme, which corresponds to 5 ECTS.
The student can present the certificate of attendance to their degree programme for credit registration. Entrepreneurship & innovation services do not issue credits. The degree programme will decide which to course or within what study module the credit for participation in the pre-incubator can be included.
Students are advised to check with their degree programme first, if this arrangement is possible. Entrepreneurship & innovation services do not guarantee that credits can be earned by taking part in the programme.
For Doctoral Researchers:
Participating in a pre-incubator programme can be included in your transferable skills studies under the course code PHD-312 for a total of 5 ECTS. Please request a certificate of attendance upon completion of the pre-incubator programme, and contact uhds-office@helsinki.fi for credits registration.