Susicorn Startup Competition 2026

With more than €200 million in startup exits, the Greater Joensuu region stands out as one of Finland’s most business-friendly environments - a luminous launchpad for bold founders aiming for the big breakthrough.

All Susicorn competitors have the opportunity to join the Startup Joensuu hub and access its services. As one of Finland’s most dynamic startup hubs, Startup Joensuu connects founders with a vibrant and collaborative network of entrepreneurs, investors, and partners, connecting with over 70 innovation-driven companies, universities, and internationally recognised innovation hubs. These connections open national and international pathways for visibility, collaboration, funding, and global growth.

Susicorn Competition invites ambitious startups and founders to build their future in the Greater Joensuu region - a dynamic and internationally connected innovation hub. The region is home to the University of Eastern Finland and world-class companies, supported by strong RDI expertise that drives technology-led growth and commercialisation.

In the Greater Joensuu region, Susicorn gives you access to:

• unique pilot and test labs and environments, including the Borderland Europe Living Lab

• internationally recognised industry clusters and collaboration hubs, such as Photonics Joensuu, Forest Joensuu, Energy Joensuu, ICT Hub Joensuu, and Outokumpu Mining Hub

• a highly skilled talent pool shaped by international, multidisciplinary education and research

• strong research, development, and innovation (RDI) expertise

• investor networks and funding opportunities

• business development and end-to-end relocation services.

Together, these form a world-class deep-tech and innovation environment, where B2B and R2B innovators — including startups, scaleups, spin-offs, spin-outs, individual founders, and students — can test, pilot, and grow.

Rooted in the Luminous theme of the SOHJO Business Event 2026, Susicorn Startup Competition welcomes ideas from all industries, with special emphasis on luminous innovation focus areas reflecting the Greater Joensuu region’s top industries and growth opportunities.

The competition seeks innovative products, services, and tech-driven solutions, ranging from early-stage ideas and startups to spinoffs to research-based and student innovations, that combine creativity, technology, and cross-disciplinary thinking. Susicorn focuses on technological and business innovations across the value chain that create new business opportunities and have the potential to grow and scale from the Greater Joensuu region to global markets, developing into globally competitive ventures.

Susicorn’s Innovation Focus Areas:

• Commercial Digital Solutions
  Industrial digitalisation, AI-driven services, cyber and GovTech, next-generation digital platforms, and smart city and mobility solutions enabling scalable business.
  
  
• Dual-Use and Security Solutions
  Digital security, situational awareness, and sensor-based systems creating new commercial and dual-use business opportunities in defence, safety, and border operations - strengthened by Eastern Finland’s unique Borderland Europe Living Lab, a world-class environment for developing digital border security technologies.
  Learn more at Borderland Europe Living Lab
  
  
• Photonics and Light-Based Technologies
  Optics, photonics, laser systems, sensing, measurement, and imaging technologies enabling new products, services, and scalable business applications.
  Learn more at Photonics Joensuu
  
  
• Sustainable Resource Solutions and Circular Industries
  Forest bioeconomy, digital forestry, circular processes, green transition solutions, sustainable materials, and bio-based innovations creating new circular business models and value chains.
  Learn more at Forest Joensuu
  
  
• Energy Transition:
  Clean energy systems, hydrogen technologies, energy storage, and resilient energy infrastructure enabling new energy markets and scalable business opportunities.
  Learn more at Energy Joensuu
  
  Mining and Minerals Industry
  Process technologies, mineral innovations, side-stream utilisation, and new business models across the mining and extractive value chain.
  Learn more at Outokumpu Mining Hub
  
  
• Plastics, Metal, and Manufacturing Industries
  Advanced manufacturing, machining, industrial automation, materials innovation, and high-precision engineering driving competitive, scalable industrial businesses.
  

Whatever your field, Susicorn offers a highly visible stage to showcase your innovation and accelerate its growth.

Whether you are shaping your first business idea or building a growing venture, Susicorn is built for innovators ready to build and grow their business in the Greater Joensuu region and scale it in Finland and international markets.

Susicorn offers a highly visible platform for turning bold ideas into scalable ventures in one of Finland’s most dynamic business and innovation environments.

The competition welcomes both technology- and business-driven innovations with clear growth and scalability potential.

Each applicant (individual or team) may submit up to three ideas.

Competition is open to:

• Entrepreneurs, early-stage startups, scaleups, and growth-oriented companies ready to take the next leap toward scalable business

• Spinoffs and spinouts originating from universities, research organisations, and companies commercializing their innovation

• Students and individual innovators with a groundbreaking business idea or innovation and the ambition to launch their own company

For students whose ideas do not advance to the Susicorn final, there is still an opportunity to proceed to the Karelia Entrepreneurship EXPO Pitching Competition on March 25, 2026. The Karelia EXPO Pitching Competition is open to students from Riveria, Karelia University of Applied Sciences, and the University of Eastern Finland. These students can choose to enter their idea either in the EXPO Pitching Competition only or in both the Susicorn Startup Competition and the EXPO using the same Susicorn competition form.

The winner receives:

1. €15 000 prize, including *
 – €10 000 in startup funding
 – one year of coworking space package (worth €5 000) at Joensuu Tiedepuisto

* The €15,000 monetary prize will be awarded once the winning business idea or innovation has been established as a registered company within a municipality in the Business Joensuu operating area, or once a significant part of its operations has been relocated there, within one year from the Susicorn Startup Competition final held at the SOHJO 2026 event on March 27, 2026.

An exception applies to business ideas and startups submitted by student and researcher teams from the University of Eastern Finland (Joensuu and Kuopio campuses). In these cases, the monetary prize may be awarded if the company is established within the Business Joensuu operating area, or, if established in the Kuopio region, subject to a separate case-by-case decision, within one year from the competition final.

2. Direct entry to FiBAN Pitch Finland in spring 2026 – the leading Nordic pitch event for high-grow startups.

3. Join the Startup Joensuu hub and access its services offering tailored coaching, mentoring, funding opportunities, and extensive business development services at every stage of growth.

Your submission will be evaluated based on the following:

• Innovation: uniqueness and potential to transform industries
  
• Feasibility: clear potential for development within the Business Joensuu operating area (see municipalities above)
• Market potential: proven need and traction opportunity
• Scalability: vision and readiness for growth
• Team strength and execution capability: skills, motivation, and collaboration
• Pitch impact: clarity, storytelling, and persuasiveness
  
  

For the extraordinarily determined ones


Susicorn (Wolfcorn) represents courage, creativity, and ambition: where the wolf’s determination meets the unicorn’s ambition for extraordinary growth. Together, they form the Susicorn: an icon for startups that dream big, build boldly, and turn vision into luminous impact.

To become The Susicorn is to embody innovation and global potential rooted in the Greater Joensuu region. It’s an invitation to grow, lead, and shape the future of business - from Joensuu to the world.

What once was the Start Me Up Business Idea Competition now continues its legacy as the Susicorn Startup Competition, powered by Business Joensuu.

Phase 1: Entry & Application (1-31 January 2026)

The official Susicorn Competition Form opens on this competition entry page on 1 January 2026 at 00:00 and remains open until 31 January 2026 at 23:59.

Before submitting your entry, download the official Susicorn Pitch Deck Template as PowerPoint format from the same page. Complete the template with your startup pitch and upload it as a PDF via the competition form by the application deadline on 31 January.
 

Phase 2: Finalist Selection (15 February 2026)

The six finalists will be announced by 15 February 2026. 

All eligible submissions will be reviewed by Business Joensuu’s evaluation jury, which will select the finalists based on the official evaluation criteria.

Phase 3: Pitch Coaching (26 February 2026)

Pitch coaching for the finalists will take place on 26 February 2026.

Expert mentoring from Business Joensuu’s coaches will support the finalists in refining their business concepts and pitch, using the same Susicorn Pitch Deck submitted in Phase 1.

Phase 4: Susicorn Startup Competition Final – Pitch for the Brightest (27 March 2026)

Live on stage at the SOHJO Business Event in Joensuu.

The six finalists will pitch their innovations to the SOHJO audience and the Susicorn Final Jury: Tiina Laisi-Puheloinen, Kaj Hagros, Peter Vesterbacka and Irene Viinikkala.
The jury will select the winner and one startup will shine above the rest and be crowned The Susicorn 2026! 

Photo: A team pitching at the Suden Suu Pitching Competition at the SOHJO 2025 Business Event. 

1. Eligibility

The competition welcomes business ideas from entrepreneurs, startups, scaleups, spinoffs and spinouts, as well as students and individual innovators from Finland and abroad.

Applicants must be ready to build, operate, or grow their business in the Greater Joensuu region, or to establish a clear business connection to the region, with the ambition to scale their business in Finland and international markets.

The Greater Joensuu region refers to the Business Joensuu operating area, which includes the municipalities of Heinävesi, Ilomantsi, Joensuu, Kitee, Liperi, Outokumpu, Polvijärvi, Rääkkylä, and Tohmajärvi.

Each applicant (individual or team) may submit up to three ideas.

All competition entries must be submitted in English using the official Susicorn Startup Competition form. The entry form includes a Susicorn Pitch Deck Template that must be downloaded, completed, and uploaded in PDF format as part of the competition form submission.

Only entries that include both the Susicorn Competition Form and the completed Susicorn Pitch Deck will proceed to Business Joensuu’s evaluation.

2. Evaluation Criteria


3. The Susicorn Award

The €15,000 monetary prize will be awarded once the winning business idea or startup innovation has been established as a registered company within the Business Joensuu operating area (see municipalities above), or once a significant part of its operations has been relocated there, within one year from the Susicorn Startup Competition final held at the SOHJO 2026 event on March 27, 2026.

An exception applies to business ideas and startups submitted by students and researcher teams from the University of Eastern Finland (Joensuu and Kuopio campuses). In these cases, the monetary prize may be awarded if the company is established within the Business Joensuu operating area, or, if established in the Kuopio region, subject to a separate case-by-case decision, within one year from the competition final.

The Susicorn title and direct entry to FiBAN Pitch Finland 2026 will be awarded immediately at the SOHJO event, giving the winner instant visibility, valuable connections, and opportunities for growth.

4. Intellectual Property, Confidentiality and Data Protection

• All submitted ideas remain the property of the participant.
• All applications are handled confidentially throughout the competition.
• Finalist pitches presented at SOHJO Business Event 2026 will be public.
• Participants are responsible for managing their own IP protection (e.g., patents, copyrights, trademarks).
• Business Joensuu, as the organizer of the Susicorn Startup Competition, is committed to protecting participant data in accordance with its Privacy Policy.
• If a participant wishes to limit the publicity of their idea, this must be clearly stated in the application form.
• The competition complies with Finnish law.
  
  

5. Additional Terms

• AI tools may be used to support ideation, but the business idea must be the participant’s own concept and development. The jury will consider the originality and participant input during evaluation.
• Participation requires submitting the completed competition form and pitch deck.
• By submitting an entry, participants accept all competition rules.
• Members of the jury and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate.
• If the participant is employed, they must comply with the Employee Invention Act.
• Any attached materials (e.g., prototypes, demos) will be returned upon request after the competition results are published.
• The organizer assumes no liability for any potential IP infringements by participants.
• The jury’s decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
• The winner agrees to reference the Susicorn Startup Competition as part of their future marketing and communications.