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 @nostetta (LinkedIN)
- Kuopion seudun Uusyrityskeskus ry (LinkedIN)
- @Fiban_org
- FINNC East @NeurocenterFI (twitter) Neurocenter Finland (LinkedIn) #FINNCEast
Inspirational events
- Neuro Center Finland events
- Kuopio Health –Health foorum
- Kuopio Health Tuesday coffees
- Uusyrityskeskus Rehvit
- ES Kuopio
- Kuopio goes trips
- Kasvu Open
- #Synty
- Kuopion brändiseminaari
- Ski Academy Afterwork Meetings
- Havuja#!@%&! Nuotiopiiri
- Havuja#!@%&! Hackathon
- Demola workshops
- Tahko Ski Lift Pitch
- Sawosta Maailmalle
- Kuopio Chamber events
- Neuro2020 Business meets Science Industry and Innovation event and NeuroPitch
- BrainBreak
- I Have a Dream – challenge
B – Educate
Best practice startup events
- Reverse Pitch, Tahko Ski Lift Pitch
- Ski Academy Afterwork
- Draft & Demola Workshop
- I Have a Dream – challenge
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
- Business Finland
- OP
- Nordea
- Berggren
- PricewaterHouseCoopers
- Ernst&Young
- Asianajotoimisto Lukander & Ruohola HTO
- Kolster
- Talenom
- Tilimemo
- Laskentalinkki
- Accountor
- Kehpa
Workspace
E – Develop
Formalize
- Business Center Havuja#!@%&! Accelerator
- Hallituspartnerit
- TalenTree
- Call to action
- Paju Consulting
- Kasve
- Ahooy
- Muotoiluakatemia
- Luova veto! –project
- Nuorkauppakamari
- 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 - Research and development
- https://kuopiowatercluster.com/
- https://www.ruokalaakso.fi/ruokalaakso/verkosto/
- https://kuopiohealth.fi/
- https://www.materiakeskus.fi/
- https://www.energyclusternorthsavo.fi/fi/
Prepare for seed
- FiBAN
- Havuja#!@%&! Accelerator
- Nordic Guide to Find an Angel Investment, Sami Etula
- Pitching training: Business Center, Ski Academy
3 Growth stage
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
- 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
- Business Finland Venture Capital LTD
- Evli Growth Partners
Public / Government finance and grants
I – Growth
Infrastructure
Expansion
