Ohita valikko
Start Me Up 2023 business idea competition
Make the idea light bulbs glow and you have the chance to win a €130,000 prize!

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.

Participation instructions
Participate

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. 

Start_Me_Up_business_idea_competition_2019_winners

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

EN Co-Funded by the EU_Business_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.