Resilience & Security — Pre-Incubator

The Resilience & Security Pre-Incubator is an 8-week entrepreneurship programme by the University of Helsinki. This programme helps early-stage teams and individuals explore whether their idea, research, or technology has strong potential in security, resilience and deep technology (including dual-use applications).

About

The Resilience & Security Pre-Incubator is the structured entry point of the University of Helsinki’s Resilience & Security innovation track. Rather than a course or hackathon, this is an 8-week hands-on programme for people who want to develop practical solutions to resilience and security challenges.

Teams that perform well may be invited to continue directly into the full Security & Resilience Incubator (16 weeks).

Is This Programme for You?

Who Should Apply: This programme is open to all interested people, regardless of university affiliation. It warmly welcomes applications from all residents of the Helsinki Capital Region passionate about solving security and resilience challenges.

We especially encourage:

Students, doctoral researchers, and staff from University of Helsinki, Aalto University, National Defence University (NDU), VTT, Hanken School of Economics, as well as other universities or research institutions
Entrepreneurs, engineers, technologists, and domain experts in deep-tech fields
People with practical, operational, or field experience in security and resilience contexts
Multidisciplinary teams combining technical expertise with business, policy, or design skills

No prior startup experience is required. What matters is genuine passion, willingness to build or join a team, and full commitment to the programme.

Focus Areas & Themes

The following focus areas offer different paths depending on your venture’s goals and impact area. Each one brings tailored support, expert insight, and room to grow. More on each below.

Cyber & Digital Security

Cybersecurity, digital infrastructure protection, AI resilience, advanced communications, contested electromagnetic environments, and quantum-secure technologies.

Critical Infrastructure & Resources

Protection of critical infrastructure, energy security, critical minerals, supply chain resilience, nuclear and chemical security.

Environment & Climate Security

Environmental and climate resilience, situational awareness, environmental sensing, and operations in extreme environments.

AI, Data & Autonomous Systems

AI and data-assisted decision-making, autonomous and unmanned systems, human–AI teaming, and trustworthy autonomy.

Space & Strategic Domains

Space infrastructure resilience, resilient operations in space, and strategic domain awareness technologies.

Human Resilience & Biotechnologies

Human performance and protection technologies, biotechnology, biosecurity, and precision health applications.

What You’ll Gain

Structured curriculum: Problem validation, customer discovery, security ecosystem literacy, responsible innovation, export control basics, and compelling storytelling
Expert coaching: Dedicated business coaches and domain experts in resilience & security
Validated positioning: Clear problem statement and strategic positioning grounded in real feedback
Clear roadmap: 90-day execution plan and potential pathway to the 4-month Security & Resilience Incubator (subject to selection)
Ecosystem access: Knowledge of European funding opportunities and a strong community of peers, mentors, and partners

Programme Structure & Schedule

The programme will be delivered in English and will consist of weekly or bi-weekly workshop sessions, complemented by online mentoring sessions. Workshops will be held in person in the Helsinki City Centre. The exact venue and room details will be confirmed and communicated to participants closer to the start of the programme.

Programme Format

In-person Workshop (3 hours): Core hands-on learning and collaboration session.
Digital Session (60–90 minutes): Guest expert presentation, discussion, or group debrief (to be confirmed).
Self-study and Deliverables (2–3 hours): Assigned readings, exercises, and submission of programme deliverables.

Read a more detailed schedule for the Resilience & Security Programme on the link below!

Applying

Could this be your next step? If you are passionate about developing innovative solutions to strengthen security and resilience, this programme could be the opportunity you're looking for.

The programme is open to all interested individuals, regardless of university affiliation. We warmly welcome applications from residents of the Helsinki Capital Region who are eager to turn ideas into meaningful solutions and collaborate with others tackling real-world challenges.

The call for applications for the first edition of the Resilience & Security Programme is now open. Click the link below to submit your application and join a community of innovators working to build a more resilient future.

Obtaining ECTS Credits

For Doctoral Researchers:

Participating in the incubator programme can be included in your transferable skills studies under the course code PHD-313 for a total of 8 ECTS. Please request a certificate of attendance upon completion of the incubator programme, and contact for the registration of the credits.

For Bachelor's or Master's Degree Students:

Participating in the programme can be registered in Sisu under the course code PHD-313 for a total of 8 ECTS. Please request a certificate of attendance upon the completion of the incubator programme, and contact for the registration of the credits.

Students must then co-ordinate with their degree programme to include these credits into their degree. It is advised to check with the degree programme beforehand if the credits can be included into the degree, and under what section.

The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Services does not guarantee that credits can be included in all degrees.

Do you have some questions before applying? Don't hesitate to contact the lead of the Resilience & Security Programme:

Andrés Archila

Email:

Mobile: +358 50 5215286