Startup Express pre-incubator training is held at BusinessAsema’s Startup Station 2–3 times a year. The programme is open to anyone who already has a business idea or wants to join an existing team. It is not just about learning entrepreneurial skills; participants also become part of a larger community and meaningful activities.
On December 10, a group of enthusiastic pitchers will gather at BusinessAsema. They have participated in the Startup Express pre-incubator programme this fall, where they have developed business ideas and learned entrepreneurial skills. The journey culminates in Demo Day, where they will present their ideas in the form of a pitch to experts and the public.
– You can apply with all kinds of ideas from many different fields. No idea is too strange; the doors are open to anyone interested, and experimentation is allowed. Startup Express helps you figure out what you need to consider when starting a business and whether your idea has the potential to grow into a business, says Jan Schmidt, one of the experts involved in Startup Express.
Being part of a community is an important part of the programme
The programme includes weekly workshops and mentoring sessions. The workshops focus on sharing information, tools, and creating interaction between participants. Mentoring, on the other hand, is about personal guidance monitoring the development process of an idea and seeking individual solutions for the team.
The weekly meetings also strengthen the sense of community, which helps participants feel like they belong – this is how social capital is built. The community aspect is not limited to the Startup Express programme, but it also provides an opportunity to network with the entire Oulu-wide startup community. Many previous Startup Express participants are now active in pitch events and other startup ecosystem activities.
– The communality extends beyond the programme. We have succeeded in building a community whose impact is visible throughout the region’s startup ecosystem, Schmidt says happily.
Oulu has a positive atmosphere
The atmosphere in the Oulu startup community is positive and inspiring. According to Schmidt, the programme attracts energetic company founders and people who want to join a team and are ready to take the next step. Startup Express is home to a new generation of entrepreneurs with a special energy and their own way of building a business: they are not sitting around waiting to be hired but seize the opportunity to build something of their own.
Networking, events, and developing their own skills give participants the confidence to move forward. The programme, which has been organised several times, has already had around 200 participants, resulting in the establishment of 17 new companies. The future will show what will grow out of them.
However, the goal is not for everyone to start a business right away, but rather for the programme to provide the necessary information, networks, and tools for the future. One can also apply purely out of interest in joining the discussion and becoming part of the community. The skills learned can be used in one’s own work, even if they do not become an entrepreneur.
The next cohort of Startup Express will start in January
The opportunity to apply for the next Startup Express program is currently open, as a new group will start at Startup Station on January 22, 2026. The training is available in both Finnish and English. There are some openings left, so applications are still accepted. Schmidt emphasises that perfection is not required – the most important thing is to try out your idea and see if it has potential. You can read more and register here.