- Start Me Up 2023 business idea competition
- Competition jury
Competition jury
Competition jury's work
The members of the competition jury of the Start Me Up business idea competition are experienced experts in the education, business and financial world. The members of the jury will explore the preselected competition proposals in the competition system. During the jury working days, the Business Joensuu Start Me Up working group will present the business ideas to the jury. The jury may also decide to use external experts for the assessment if necessary.
The 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.
Competition jury members in the business idea competition in 2023
- Chair Tomi Haring, CEO, Business Joensuu
- Jyrki Saarinen, Professor, University of Eastern Finland (photonics)
- Heikki Immonen, Dr., Principal Lecturer of Entrepreneurship, Karelia University of Applied Sciences
- Sanna Lappalainen, Project Specialist, Riveria
- Antti Vikman, COO, Nolwenture Ltd
- Pekka Lemettinen, CEO/Board Professional/Investor Finnish P&C Insurance
- Kaj Hagros, North Karelia Growth Fund, Managing Partner, Redstone Nordics
- Antti Pölönen, Head of Accounting, Northern Karelia Cooperative Society
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 Attorneys at Law
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ED Design Oy
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University of Eastern Finland
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Business Joensuu Oy
City of Joensuu -
Karelia University of Applied Sciences
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City of Kitee
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Leitzinger Oy
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Lipertek Oy
Municipality of Liperi -
North Karelia Growth Fund
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Oma Savings Bank
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North Karelia Chamber of Commerce
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Regional Council of North Karelia
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Northern Karelia Cooperative Society
(PKO) -
North Karelia Entrepreneurs
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Riveria
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Start Up Fund Joensuu

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.