Summer and early Autumn 2025 startup events and programs
The Innovation Centre team is mostly on vacation in July but is otherwise easily reachable. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have a business idea, are interested in entrepreneurship, or want to learn more about upcoming events, programs, and other local players.
Below you’ll find a compiled list of Oulu’s summer and early autumn startup events and other related content. Events related to these themes will also be listed on the StartupOulu website, so be sure to follow startupoulu.com and boldly join the mailing list at the bottom of the page.
For more information, you can always contact Ville from the Innovation Centre at ville.saarenpaa(at)oulu.fi.
Proof-of-Concept (PoC) funding still available for 2025
Students can apply for Proof-of-Concept (PoC) funding to test and pilot new business ideas — up to €5000 per business idea. PoC funding is only available for ideas that are still in the concept phase — already established companies are not eligible. Funding can be used for purchasing services and materials.
PoC funding is available through a continuous application process, but the funds must be used by the end of November each year. If you’re interested, get in touch with Ville at the Innovation Centre.
June 5: Oulu Entrepreneurs After Work event
Oulu Entrepreneurs invites you to an After Work event at Amarillo on Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 17:00 to 19:00!
The evening will include an introduction to Arina’s restaurant operations (Amarillo & Venn), a DJ, a Sound Lounge karaoke room, a photo wall for entrepreneurs, snacks and drinks, a raffle, and a relaxed atmosphere for networking.
June 6: OYSTER Pre-Incubator starts again in Autumn — Apply by June 6!
The 100-day pre-incubation phase of the OYSTER Incubator will run again in autumn 2025. The program is especially aimed at aspiring entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and professionals tackling challenges in digital health, health technology, and well-being. Applicants should already have identified a business opportunity in these fields. Applications can be submitted individually or as a team.
June 11: Midnight Shine – A meeting place for startups and investors
Midnight Shine offers a relaxed atmosphere, valuable conversations, and delicious food in a cozy, cottage-like natural setting under the midnight sun. Register for the event by June 6.
- Date and time: June 11, 2024, 17:15 at Technopolis (Sepänkatu 20) / 18:00 at Maikkulan kartano
- Venue: Maikkulan kartano, Maikkulanrinne 21, 90240 Oulu
June 16: Startup Mastermind Club Vol.2
Startup Mastermind Club is a peer support network for newly founded startups and early-stage founders. Here you can discuss your challenges and help others tackle theirs. The club is especially suitable for founders who have progressed their ideas beyond the concept stage and want to stay on track while building a strong network.
In each session, 3-5 startups will present their work and share a specific challenge they’re facing — such as making strategic decisions, finding the right networks/customers, or how to move forward beyond a challenge.
- Want your problem solved? Prepare a five-minute pitch about your startup and your challenge.
- Want to listen in? You’re welcome to join the discussion and learn from others’ experiences.
Mark your calendar for these Autumn events!
More info coming in August or upon request.
- Sept 3–5: Northern Finland Entrepreneurship Week POHJAT – https://pohjatfest.com/
- Kickstart Business Idea Competition opens in September – https://www.kickstartoulu.fi/
- The competition challenges top students from the University of Oulu, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, and Oulu Vocational College to compete for prizes totaling up to €2500.
- Startup Express fifth cohort begins in September
- Turn your idea into a startup in 100 days with the support of the community!
- Interested in starting your own startup in Oulu but unsure how to get started? Startup Express is a pre-incubation program offering skills, confidence, and networks to get you going.
- Sept 23–Dec 9: Founder’s Corner
- Come build your digital business in a guided environment and develop your skills. The Founder’s Corner program covers how to solve customer problems with web-based services, how to convince them in seconds, how to get customers to find your service online, and how to actually start making money by autumn.
- Students in higher education can apply for PoC funding (between €200 and €5000) to develop a growth-oriented business idea. The program is in Finnish, and sessions are held at the Business Corner on the Linnanmaa Campus (Yliopistokatu 9, entrance 5C). Participants can also earn 10 credits in the university incubator.
- Sept 24–25: Nordic Business Forum live-stream event at Business Corner on Linnanmaa Campus
- Oct 9: FutureTech Oulu 2025
- Oct 10–12: Startup Weekend Oulu
- Want to build a startup in one weekend? Develop your entrepreneurial skills alongside your team with support from experienced mentors and experts. Meet new friends, founders, and investors, and turn your idea into reality in just 54 hours! The ticket price includes the entire weekend program and 7 delicious meals.
- Nov 13: Slush Oulu Community Side Event and Pitching Competition
- Slush is one of the world’s leading startup events, gathering top startups and investors in Helsinki every year. Slush 2025 takes place Nov 19–20. But you don’t have to wait until then to get a taste of Slush, because the Slush Oulu Community Side Event and Pitching Competition will return to Oulu the week before! The main prize is €1000.
- We also recommend applying to volunteer at Slush in Helsinki. More information available from Ville at the Innovation Centre!
- Hack4Health Hackathon focusing on health technologies will take place in late 2025.
- This day-long event brings together curious and creative minds from various fields—including health and well-being, technology, business, and service design—to explore health technologies.
A very happy summer to you for reading this far! 🌞