- Start Me Up 2023 business idea competition
Start Me Up 2023 business idea competition
Bring your ideas to light
Had a thought? Business Joensuu and its partners are looking for the best ideas for the future that can grow into sustainable business activities, both in North Karelia and internationally. The starting point may be a new product, service or operating model concept, or a technology for starting a new business or for growing a current one. Every idea is worth trying!
The competition begins on February 1, 2023 and you can submit your ideas until March, 31,2023.
We welcome students, researchers, companies and individuals alike to participate in the competition! In addition to the North Karelia region, ideas around Finland, as well as the world, are welcome.
The competition has a record-breaking set of prizes. The value of the grand prize is whopping €130,000 and the total value of the prizes exceeds €160,000!
All business idea proposals submitted by March 31, 2023 will participate in the pursuit of the main prize and may also be awarded in other competition categories.
The multidisciplinary competition jury assesses the competition proposals and selects the winners, based on the novelty value, feasibility, as well as the growth and internationalisation potential of the business ideas. After the competition, all participants can continue to refine their ideas together with Business Joensuu experts and partners.
The Start Me Up business idea competition, which promotes North Karelian entrepreneurship and future business, has been organised since 2000. It has established itself as one of Finland's most significant business idea competitions.
Roll up your sleeves, and make the idea light bulbs glow! Bring your ideas to light by March 31.
One entrant can participate in the competition with several ideas. You can participate in the competition alone or as a team.
Why should you grow with Start Me Up?
- Business idea sparring and refining.
- Business Joensuu and our partners support the idea's implementation into a sustainable business.
- An award that supports the development of a business idea.
- Channel for fund investments (grand prize).
- Channel for media visibility.
- Increase awareness in our networks and create relationships.
- Above all, it is a long-term growth environment that enables synergies between companies, research activities, financiers and business life.
Competition categories
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Start Me Up 2023 Main prize
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Start Me Up 2023
Student category
University of Eastern Finland, Karelia University of Applied Sciences and Riveria -
Start Me Up 2023
The Business for Kitee category -
Start Me Up 2023
The Business for Liperi category -
Start Me Up 2023
The Research-based business idea category -
Start Me Up 2023
The Modern Karelian trade and service in the new commercial building at Joensuu Marketplace category -
Start Me Up 2023
An open-to-all Best Pitch competition
Award Gala May 24, 2023
Announcing the winners
The winners of the Start Me Up business idea competition will be announced in the Award gala, on May 24, 2023, at the Joensuu Science Park.
The Award Gala programme will be announced in April.

Best pitch
An open-to-all Best Pitch competition will be organised, on May 24, 2023, as part of the award gala of the Start Me Up business idea competition. The winner of the best pitch will be rewarded with a cash prize of €1,000
Further information
In cooperation with
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Asianajotoimisto Surakka Oy
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ED Design Oy
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Itä-Suomen yliopisto UEF
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Business Joensuu Oy
Joensuun kaupunki -
Karelia-ammattikorkeakoulu
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Kiteen kaupunki
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Leitzinger Oy
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Lipertek Oy, Liperin kunta
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North Karelia Growth Fund
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Oma Säästöpankki Oyj
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Pohjois-Karjalan kauppakamari
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Pohjois-Karjalan
maakuntaliitto -
Pohjois-Karjalan Osuuskauppa
(PKO)
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Pohjois-Karjalan Yrittäjät ry
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Riveria
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Start up -rahasto Joensuu
Discover news on Start Me Up
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Business Joensuu news • reading time 1 min
Start Me Up 2023: Sparring day for your business idea 21.3.2023
Sparring and guidance from our business coaches to work on your Start Me Up competition idea is available on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 3-5 pm at Joensuu Tiedepuisto or on Teams!
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Start Me Up 2023 with the biggest prize in the history of the business idea competition
Press releasePublication on February 1, 2023, at 08:30
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The winner of the Start Me Up 2022 business idea competition is a unique UCOT solution
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The Start Me Up 2022 business idea competition winner is in for a jackpot
Joensuu is seeking for the most potential business idea of the year as the Start Me Up business idea competition led by Business Joensuu starts again. The most potential idea presented to the jury...
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Privacy screen cover chosen as the winner of Start Me Up 2021
The Obview privacy protection system, which prevents illicit viewing of electronic monitors, has been chosen as the winner of the Start Me Up business idea competition. According to the panel of...

This material has been produced as a part of the Joensuu city's innovation ecosystem agreement (EAKR) activities, which are co-funded by the European Union and the City of Joensuu.