TIEDOTE 1.12.2025
Vuodesta 1999 järjestetty Start Me Up -liikeideakilpailu on uudistunut, ja se järjestetään vuonna 2026 ensimmäistä kertaa nimellä Susicorn Startup Competition. Kyseessä on Suomen...

Join Startup Joensuu, where entrepreneurial dreams turn into high-impact successes and exits. With over €200 million in recent startup exits, a thriving ecosystem of 70+ startups, and direct access to robust funding networks, Joensuu is the ideal launchpad for ambitious founders. Benefit from tailored programs like GrowthBase Coaching, expert mentorship, and connections to regional and international investors.
Situated in a hub of innovation with expertise in ICT, photonics, and renewable energy, Startup Joensuu offers the resources, collaboration and opportunities to grow, scale, and secure your exit. Start here, succeed globally.
18.11.2025 Borderland Goes Big - Slush Side Event, Epicenter Helsinki
17.12.2025 Startup Joensuun Pikkujoulut, Tiedepuisto, Joensuu
25.-26.3.2026 Sohjo Hacks 2026 - Hackathon, University of Eastern Finland Campus, Joensuu
26.-27.3.2026 Susicorn Startup Competition at Sohjo 2026 Business Event, Original Sokos Hotel Kimmel, Joensuu
Startup Joensuu -network consists of +70 innovation and growth oriented companies and other public and private actors focused on enhancing the vitality and expertise of key business sectors—such as research and educational institutions (staff, students, researchers)—as well as funding bodies and business development organizations involved in advancing innovation. It thus represents the entirety of the region's growth company and startup ecosystem.
TIEDOTE 1.12.2025
Vuodesta 1999 järjestetty Start Me Up -liikeideakilpailu on uudistunut, ja se järjestetään vuonna 2026 ensimmäistä kertaa nimellä Susicorn Startup Competition. Kyseessä on Suomen...
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Näytä kaikki artikkelitNew entrepreneur sparring
We provide support for the early stages of entrepreneurship from the moment the company is still a dream, idea, hope or hobby. Our free service for new entrepreneurs is intended for everyone considering entrepreneurship and setting up a business in the Business Joensuu operating area.
Start-up company coaching will help you strengthen your entrepreneurial skills and receive guidance, insights and tools for goal-oriented planning and launching of business activities. During start-up company coaching, we help you create the official documents - business plan and calculations - around your future business idea that you will need when applying for start-up grants and funding. You will also have access to the necessary everyday tools of entrepreneurship.
The coaching program lasts for 6 weeks. It consists of 6 group coaching days and 2-3 individual coaching days:
Since 2000, Start Me Up has played a key role in identifying growth entrepreneurs and businesses in North Karelia, solidifying its position as one of Finland's most significant business idea competitions. With over 2700 ideas submitted to the competition, many have grown into successful businesses both domestically and internationally. Annually, significant efforts are invested in promoting the competition through various media, and it is organized by Business Joensuu in collaboration with its partners.
The Start Me Up business idea competition aims to find innovative and commercially viable business ideas that promote entrepreneurial growth and startup culture in North Karelia, as well as nationally and internationally.
Start Me Up serves as a hub for developing and evaluating business ideas. The competition offers a unique opportunity to test and refine ideas, secure funding for growth, and launch and expand business operations.
Through the StartUp Coaching Program, you'll improve your ability to run your business effectively. The goal of the program is to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how to implement scalable business operations while helping you prioritize what to focus on and in what order.
A clear picture of a scalable business is developed by exploring key areas of business operations and applying the knowledge and skills directly to your company’s day-to-day activities. Throughout the coaching process, you'll develop and refine a prioritized action plan to be finalized by the end of the program.
You'll receive support through:
The coaching is free for participating companies.
The coaching is free for participating companies.
In Grow² growth coaching, you will clarify the goals, opportunities and concrete measures of growth and turn them into a 3-5 year growth plan. The goal is the controlled and determined growth of your company. The coaching is carried out in groups of 6-8 people in which you can also exchange experiences, views and thoughts diversely with other entrepreneurs. In group coaching, your own growth plan is built step-by-step through advance assignments and confidential discussions. As a result, your thoughts about growth will inevitably become clearer!
The coaching costs €140 + VAT for participating companies. The training accumulates €1610 in de minimis aid.
The coaching includes:
In LEAD coaching, you will develop your own leadership capabilities to the level required for growth and get a long-term guided peer support group to support your growth.
LEAD coaching is a long-term and inspiring development process of your entrepreneurship and leadership in good company. You will recognise your own growth potential for leadership and gain new skills and ways to manage your company's growth while engaging your work community.
The coaching costs €140 + VAT for participating companies. The training accumulates €1610 in de minimis aid.
The year-long leadership coaching process includes:
Prepare your business to succeed in the changing world of work! Technological innovations, new organizational structures, and major trends are reshaping the business environment and employer branding. The Future employer group coaching provides an in-depth understanding of upcoming work trends along with practical methods and tools for creating a compelling and distinctive employer brand.
The coaching is free for participating companies.
Coaching themes:
We coach companies in our region in various matters related to being an employer. Get in touch if you are wondering about recruitment, personnel competence development, being an employer or other employment or personnel matters. We also support you in beginning the process of recruiting international talents. International House Joensuu is your partner in ensuring a smooth relocation for foreign employees to Joensuu.
The coaching is free for participating companies.
KareliaBite offers international business coaching for companies in the food and natural products industries. During these coaching sessions, you will create a roadmap for purposeful internationalization.
In KareliaBite coaching, you will clarify your company's internationalization objectives, discover new export opportunities, and identify areas for development. The coaching packages are built around themes of international food and natural products industry events, as well as visits from international experts and stakeholders.
Information coming soon.


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