Foot health device improves functional ability and supports rehabilitation – Recolth wins the Susicorn Startup Competition 2026

 Recolth has won the Susicorn Startup Competition with its foot health device, RedStep, designed to relieve pain and restore mobility. It supports rehabilitation by activating foot function, making everyday movement easier and improving quality of life. The solution combines foot rehabilitation technologies with a smart application that guides users through personalized rehabilitation programs. 

Founded in 2025 and operating in Lappeenranta and Joensuu, Recolth is developing a health and recovery device called RedStep for people suffering from foot-related pain that limits mobility and quality of life. The device combines established rehabilitation technologies with a smart application that supports users through personalized programs.

Foot pain is a common and growing issue, driven by an aging population and increasing rates of overweight. Approximately 25% of people experience foot-related problems, and around 1% suffer from chronic plantar fasciitis. In Europe, this represents an estimated five million people. Despite the scale of the problem, targeted solutions for foot health recovery remain limited.

Recolth stands out by focusing entirely on foot health and combining physical treatment with digital guidance. Its mobile application supports systematic rehabilitation, improving consistency and outcomes. The company has already tested its solution with over 60 users with promising results and is preparing to bring the product to market later this year.

“Recolth stood out with its novel and unique solution addressing a clearly under-served need in foot health and rehabilitation. What particularly impressed the jury was how the device combines foot rehabilitation technologies with a smart application that guides users through personalized rehabilitation programs. This modular approach creates strong potential to improve mobility and quality of life at scale. The team demonstrated a clear understanding of the market need, a scalable vision for growth, and strong execution capability, supported by a compelling and well-delivered pitch,” says Tiina Laisi-Puheloinen, CEO of FiBAN and Chair of the Susicorn jury.

The company is targeting a growing market, as musculoskeletal disorders affect most people at some point in their lives. The next key milestones include producing a CE-certified batch of 200 devices, opening retail and B2B sales channels, and initiating international scaling following validation in the Finnish market. The company has applied for over €100,000 in funding.

Joensuu plays an important role in Recolth’s development: the company’s CTO, Petri Räsänen, is originally from Joensuu, where production is also located. Recolth also plans to leverage the strong optics and photonics expertise of the University of Eastern Finland.

CEO and founder Nicholas Kosonen describes the Susicorn recognition as well-timed:

“Being selected as the Susicorn winner is a great honor for us. It is rewarding to be recognized among other startups, and the timing could not be better as we are entering a critical growth phase. Our goal is to become a global leader in foot health and rehabilitation solutions. We want to help people move and walk without pain.”

The Recolth team includes Nicholas Kosonen (Founder & CEO), Petri Räsänen (CTO), and Ivan Garusov (Lead Developer).

As the winner of the Susicorn Startup Competition, Recolth receives a prize package valued at €15,000, including a monetary award, workspace, and direct entry to the FiBAN Pitch Finland 2026 event. In addition, the company will gain international visibility as its brand lights up the iconic Nasdaq Tower in Times Square, New York.

Contact:
Nicholas Kosonen
+358 40 057 0301, nicholas.kosonen@recolth.com
recolth.fi
LinkedIn

Other Susicorn startup finalists

Six startups were selected as Susicorn finalists. One finalist was unable to attend the final pitch at the SOHJO event due to flight cancellations, leaving five startups to compete. Here are the four other finalists.

Wildflow's AI-powered border terrain analysis strengthens security and sustainability

Wildflow’s AI-driven border terrain analysis platform identifies vulnerabilities, improves border security, and supports biodiversity by safeguarding wildlife corridors. At the same time, the solution strengthens the resilience and reliability of border control.

Founded in 2025 and based in Helsinki, Wildflow develops an AI-powered platform that analyzes terrain accessibility using multi-layer remote sensing data and advanced routing. Developed under the company Einbus, the solution is designed for defense organizations, authorities, and forestry sector operators. It enables the identification of vulnerabilities in border regions and supports the assessment of risks to wildlife habitats and movement.

Wildflow addresses two major global challenges: strengthening border security and protecting ecosystems. Growing geopolitical tensions are increasing investments in defense and border control, while human impact continues to weaken biodiversity worldwide. The platform uses a scientific, data-driven approach to identify and prioritize critical risks, enabling faster and more effective decision-making.

Wildflow operates in a broad and globally significant market, particularly in border security, where countries invest hundreds of millions of euros annually. For example, Finland and Norway each spend approximately €300–330 million, while Poland’s investments reach around €2 billion. At the same time, increasing public sector investments in climate adaptation and biodiversity protection are driving demand, with the European Union allocating around 30% of its budget to climate-related actions.

The software-based solution enables strong scalability, as remote sensing–based applications can be deployed internationally with relatively low technical barriers. The company is currently seeking funding to launch its first pilot and validate the solution in real-world conditions, preparing for broader deployment.

Joensuu plays a key role in Wildflow’s future plans. The company intends to carry out its pilot in the region, leveraging its proximity to the border for testing, and collaborate with experts from the Karelian Institute. In the longer term, Wildflow plans to establish research and development activities in Joensuu, building on the region’s strong university expertise.

The company has clear plans for growth and international expansion:

“Our goal is to carry out a pilot in Joensuu in the second half of 2026. The results will be used to secure funding and launch full-scale operations in early 2027,” says Juho Häme, CTO of Wildflow.

The Wildflow team includes Juho Häme (CTO) and Lauri Häme (CEO).

Contact:
Juho Häme, Wildflow / Einbus
+358 45 111 8502, juho@einbus.com
Einbus LinkedIn

Wave-R connects companies with social media influencers

Wave-R's service enables companies to collaborate with social media influencers through authentic, user-driven recommendations. By connecting companies with micro- and nano-influencers, it helps build trust, drive demand, and achieve measurable results through real user advocacy.

Founded in 2024 and based in Joensuu, Wave-R offers companies and influencers a new way to collaborate—more trust-based, measurable, and cost-efficient than traditional influencer marketing. Instead of relying solely on large influencers, the service enables collaboration with micro- and nano-influencers.

Wave-R addresses a key challenge in digital marketing: as content and advertising become increasingly uniform, consumers place greater trust in authentic recommendations. The application helps companies activate both existing and potential customers to create credible visibility and demand through people-driven content.

Wave-R stands out by focusing on continuous and scalable influencer collaboration rather than one-off campaigns. Companies can launch campaigns, collaborate with selected influencers, and achieve measurable results such as social media visibility, website traffic, and product testing. The business model is based on a subscription service, and the company is in an early commercial stage.

The service is already in use in Joensuu, where Wave-R has attracted over 300 users and completed more than 50 campaigns. The results demonstrate strong early demand and engagement. The company is now focusing on scaling the product and expanding into new markets.

Wave-R primarily targets consumer brands and retail in the Nordic countries, with the market estimated at around €690 million. The company raised pre-seed funding in 2025 and is working with pilot customers. The next step is to expand into new cities in Finland and strengthen both its business and influencer networks.

Wave-R addresses a widely recognized need: companies are seeking more authentic ways to build trust and demand among consumers. The solution is designed to scale internationally beyond the Nordics.

Joensuu plays a key role in Wave-R’s development. The company launched its first pilots and product development in the region, and the local startup ecosystem has supported its early growth. As the company scales, it also sees strong potential for job creation in technology, marketing, and platform-based business.

One of Wave-R’s founders, Santeri Silvennoinen, describes the significance of the Susicorn recognition:

“Being selected as a Susicorn finalist is an important milestone for us. It brings visibility, strengthens our credibility, and opens doors to investors, partners, and other ambitious startups.”

The company has clear ambitions for international growth:

“We are building Wave-R in Joensuu as an internationally scalable solution for influencer collaboration. Our goal is to make authentic and measurable social media marketing accessible to companies of all sizes.”

The Wave-R team includes Santeri Silvennoinen, Aku Jussila, Eino Lehmusoksa, and Samuli Gavrilov.

Contact: 
Santeri Silvennoinen
+358 44 282 9218, santeri@wave-r.com
wave-r.com
LinkedIn, Instagram

NEO AERIS makes indoor air risks visible and predictable

NEO AERIS combines an indoor air quality monitoring system with AI-driven analytics. The system measures air quality in real time and identifies and predicts indoor air risks, helping prevent health hazards caused by issues such as mold, fire, and toxic gases before they become serious.

Based in Lappeenranta, NEO AERIS is a startup originating from LUT University, developing high-quality indoor air monitoring systems for homes, schools, and commercial buildings. Its INTRA solution measures multiple air quality indicators simultaneously and enables real-time monitoring combined with predictive analytics.

NEO AERIS addresses a significant but often underestimated challenge: indoor air pollution. While Finland is known for having some of the cleanest outdoor air in the world, indoor air impurities cause an estimated €953 million in annual costs to the Finnish economy. Poor ventilation, mold, and toxic gases affect environments where people spend up to 90% of their time.

The company stands out by combining regulatory-grade measurement accuracy with an affordable price. The system meets Finnish S1/S2 standards as well as WELL and RESET requirements, and is priced at approximately €130. In addition, the device includes AI-based prediction of mold and fire risks—a feature not currently available from competitors.

NEO AERIS operates with a business model that combines hardware sales with subscription-based SaaS services for property owners and organizations requiring automated monitoring and regulatory compliance.

The company is currently in the pilot phase, with a working proof of concept and real-time data transmission in place. In April 2026, it will expand to European cities by deploying its first five units in locations including Zurich, Berlin, Stockholm, Bucharest, and Helsinki. The next step is a production batch of 100 devices and a full commercial launch in early 2027.

NEO AERIS serves both consumer and B2B markets, targeting households, smart home users, property owners, schools, and organizations requiring compliant monitoring solutions. The global indoor air quality market is estimated at €4.9 billion.

The company collaborates with LUT CERES, the University of Eastern Finland, and Photonics Joensuu, and Joensuu plays a key role in its development. The Susicorn recognition would support plans to centralize operations in the Joensuu Science Park, focusing on device assembly, certification testing, and B2B sales.

Founder and CEO Augadh Arora describes the Susicorn recognition as a reflection of the company’s rapid progress:

“When we were selected as finalists, we had only an idea and a strong belief that indoor air quality is a real and urgent problem. Now we have a working solution, real-time data, and a clear direction forward. Imagine what we can achieve with more resources and time.”

The company has strong growth prospects, supported by increasing regulation and rising awareness of indoor air quality across Europe.

“Every building in Europe should have access to real-time indoor air monitoring—simple and reliable. We want to be the company that makes this possible,” Arora concludes.

The NEO AERIS team includes Augadh Arora (Founder & CEO), Stefan Geala (Lead Hardware Engineer), and Derrick Apong (Head of Operations).

Contact:
Augadh Arora
+358 44 247 7130, augadharora@neoaeris.com
neoaeris.com
LinkedIn, Instagram

Fiidback’s AI-powered feedback software brings real-time insight into workplaces

Fiidback’s AI-powered software solution collects and analyzes organizational feedback in real time. It helps identify workplace challenges early, improve decision-making, and strengthen workplace culture. The solution provides organizations with continuous visibility into their working environment—essentially a real-time pulse of how people are doing and what is happening in everyday work.

Founded in 2025 and based in Joensuu, Fiidback offers a cloud-based SaaS platform that enables employees and stakeholders to give feedback easily as part of their daily routines. The software collects feedback in real time and uses AI to analyze, structure, and prioritize responses, providing organizations with a clear and up-to-date overview without the need for heavy survey processes.

Fiidback addresses a widespread challenge: traditional employee surveys are often slow, fragmented, and rarely lead to meaningful action. Real-time feedback enables faster responses, earlier identification of issues, and better decision-making. As hybrid work becomes more common and global competition for talent intensifies, the need for better people insight continues to grow.

The solution is designed particularly for HR and people management functions, as well as public sector organizations, growth companies, and professional service firms. The global market for employee experience and engagement tools is estimated at $1–4 billion, within a broader $4–9 billion survey software market.

The company operates with a subscription-based SaaS model and is already working with its first customers. Pilot customers include the City of Joensuu, Tilitoimisto Vahtivuori, and Talouden Noste Oy, with Rebooted Solutions Oy as a technology partner.

The scalable cloud service can be deployed quickly across organizations, and AI-assisted analytics enable efficient processing of feedback at low cost. This makes the solution easily adaptable across industries and international markets.

Fiidback has received early-stage funding through the Karelia UAS DRAFT programme. The next key milestone is to expand its pilot customer base and launch the full SaaS service later this year.

Joensuu plays a key role in Fiidback’s development. The City of Joensuu is one of its first pilot customers, and the company is part of the Joensuu Hub community and the Eastern Finland startup ecosystem. Fiidback aims to grow into an international SaaS company and create new jobs in software development, product design, customer success, and sales.

“Susicorn gives us valuable visibility. This is the first step for Fiidback and a meaningful milestone in our journey to transform how organizations collect and use feedback,” says Miska Ruotsalainen, CEO of Fiidback.

“Competitions like Susicorn help startups learn quickly and share what they are building with a wider audience,” adds Henri Parkkonen, Head of Sales and Marketing.

The company has clear international growth ambitions:

“We are starting in Finland, but building a solution for global markets. Our goal is to make continuous feedback a natural and essential part of everyday work,” Ruotsalainen concludes.

The Fiidback team includes Miska Ruotsalainen (CEO), Henri Parkkonen (Sales and Marketing), Matti Ilvonen (CTO), and Jarno Karjalainen (Chair of the Board).

Contact:
Henri Parkkonen
+358 44 716 9278, henri@fiidback.ai
fiidback.ai
LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

Susicorn Startup Competition

The Susicorn Startup Competition supports the visibility and growth of startups, supporting their journey to international markets through funding, services, visibility, and access to investor and partner networks. Susicorn combines the determination of a wolf with the ambition of a unicorn—symbolizing companies from the Joensuu region aiming for international growth.

The winner was selected by the Susicorn jury, the Wolves of Susicorn, chaired by Tiina Laisi-Puheloinen. The winner was announced at the Wolf’s Den final during the SOHJO Business Event in Joensuu on March 27, 2026.

Business Joensuu congratulates the winner as well as all Susicorn finalists and participants. Thank you for your valuable contribution—we wish you continued success in the future!
  
Text: Tanja Immonen, Business Joensuu
Photos: Harri Säynevirta