This image displays the network within the Kuopio region, based on the Founders Institute Startup Ecosystem Canvas. It exhibits common stages startups go through, specific needs they’ll have and helpful contacts they should make use of in each stage.
Ski Academy is an open and relaxed community that gathers startups from all around the Kuopio region. The meetups are either held live or online, typically once a month.
The goal is to build networks, dive into founders’ key interests with the help of professionals and, of course, practise pitching. The meetups also attract organisations offering their services to our innovative bunch of startups. We welcome all industries completely free of charge – join us when it suits you!
The skiing theme of our meetups comes from the startup event Tahko Ski Lift Pitch. We aim to train and warm up our pitching skills at the Ski Academy and then compete at Tahko SLP. So don’t worry, you can leave your skis at home! Ski Academy is brought to you by Kuopio Region Chamber of Commerce and Business Kuopio. If you have any questions, please feel free to message us at: tiina.hartikainen@kuopiochamber.fi
1 Idea Stage
This is where new entrepreneurs get inspired,
learn best practices, develop skills, validate ideas and begin to build their team and product.
A – INSPIRE
Startup media
- Business Center North-Savo @bcpohjoissavo (LinkedIN, FB, Insta, Twitter)
- Business Kuopio @BusinessKuopio (LinkedIN, Twitter)
- Ski Academy pages
- Tahko Ski Lift Pitch @tahkoSLP
- Kuopio Health @kuopiohealth (Twitter, LinkdedIN, Facebook)
- Nostetta Ventures @nostetta (LinkedIN)
- Kuopion seudun Uusyrityskeskus ry (LinkedIN)
- @Fiban_org
- FINNC East @NeurocenterFI (twitter) Neurocenter Finland (LinkedIn) #FINNCEast
Inspirational events
- Kasvu Open
- #Synty
- Kuopion brändiseminaari
- Ski Academy Afterwork Meetings
- Havuja#!@%&! Nuotiopiiri
- Havuja#!@%&! Hackathon
- Demola workshops
B – EDUCATE
Best practice startup events
- Reverse Pitch, Tahko Ski Lift Pitch
Training & feedback
C – VALIDATE
Team formation
Build first product
2 Launch stage
In this stage, entrepreneurs establish and formalize
the company, develop the product, get feedback from customers and prepare for the next step.
D – START
Establish
- Business Center Havuja#!@%&! Accelerator
- Uusyrityskeskus
- Finnvera
- Ely, Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
Workspace
E – DEVELOP
Formalize
- Yrityskummit
- Kuopion Yrittäjät
- Kuopio Health early stage mentoring
- FINNC East early stage mentoring
- SPARK
- Specialized Business Ecosystems
Health / Platform Services / Smart Technologies / Bioeconomy / Food / Tourism
Prepare for seed
- Pitching training: Business Center, Ski Academy
F – LAUNCH
Seed accelerators
Pitch and demo
3 Growth stage
In this stage, entrepreneurs establish and formalize
Here, a startup proves their utility, receives recognition and scales up. This usually requires funding, angels, VCs and ways to connect them to startups.
G – RECOGNITION
Investor networking
Major media
H – FUNDING
Angel investors and micro VC:S
- FiBAN / Pitch Finland
- Local angels / FiBAn Kuopio
- Hallituspartnerit
- TalenTree
- Call to action
- Paju Consulting
- Kasve
- Ahooy
- Muotoiluakatemia
- Luova veto! –project
- Nuorkauppakamari
- Crowdfunding (Spingwest, Invesdor yms.)
- Dealflow Finland
- Foundations (Olvi, Saastamoinen)
- Ice Breaker
Venture capitalists: Serie A and beyond
- Finnish VC´s: Butterfly, Innovestor, Lifeline Ventures, Voima Ventures, Nostetta Ventures
Public / Government finance and grants
- Finnvera
- EU-rahoitus: EIC Accelerator / EIP, EAKR, ESR
