Higher education institutions in Vaasa promote entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial mindset – opening of the joint StartUp space on 3 October

This is a unique operational model, as the activities of the StartUp space are developed collaboratively by all higher education institutions in Vaasa: the University of Vaasa, Hanken School of Economics, Vaasa University of Applied Sciences (VAMK), Novia University of Applied Sciences, Åbo Akademi, and the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Law. The StartUp space is located on the 2nd floor of the Fabriikki building of the University of Vaasa.

The aim of the StartUp space’s activities is to support the development and growth of start-ups and to promote an entrepreneurial mindset. This is pursued through business incubator and accelerator programmes, peer support, and a range of events such as hackathons, seminars, and workshops. The incubator and accelerator programs provide a comprehensive development pathway for emerging start-ups to launch and grow profitable businesses.

“Until now, companies have lacked common spaces for creation and interaction in Vaasa, and the new StartUp space addresses this need. It is both a physical space and an entrepreneurial community that supports new experiments, networking, and the development of entrepreneurial skills. Promoting startup entrepreneurship is very important for us,” says Minna Martikainen, Rector of the University of Vaasa.

“The startup activities of Vaasa's higher education institutions have recently received less attention, so it is very gratifying that we have now relaunched the activities through the Vaasa Consortium of Higher Education and with the support of the City of Vaasa. All higher education institutions in the region have agreed to collaborate on this initiative. I see huge potential in combining our expertise and together achieve a large critical mass of students and staff," says Sören Kock, representative of the Rector of Hanken in Vaasa.

The rector of VAMK, Hannu Vahtera, hopes that the new StartUp space will encourage bold experimentation and new learning.

“Entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial skills are key to creating and commercialising innovations, and thus play a crucial role in strengthening the competitiveness of our region and the whole of Finland. The StartUp space offers excellent opportunities to meet, develop, and implement innovative ideas, as well as to create successful businesses,” continues Vahtera.

“We are excited to work with the other higher education institutions to create a dynamic and inspiring environment and activities that support the startup ambitions of our students,” says Örjan Andersson, Rector of Novia.

According to Lisbeth Fagerström, Rector of Åbo Akademi in Vaasa, the StartUp space will not only be a meeting place for students and entrepreneurs, but also a place where ideas can grow into sustainable businesses. 

“The city's higher education institutions have long been a driver of innovation and collaboration, and now we are taking another step forward together. Together we will create a future where entrepreneurship is a natural part of academic life and where we give our students the tools to shape their own success stories,” tells Fagerström.

The StartUp space is the outcome of the StartUp Arcade project, funded by the City of Vaasa’s jubilee fund.

“Our goal is to be the most entrepreneur-friendly city in Finland, and entrepreneurs are really important for the vitality of our region – that’s why we want to be involved in funding a joint StartUp space for higher education institutions. I believe that such a community, which brings together different languages and fields of study, can produce truly great innovations and new businesses for our region,” says Mayor Tomas Häyry.

After the official opening, various entrepreneurship-related events and activities will take place in the StartUp space throughout the week from 3 to 9 October.

In the photo: at the opening of the StartUp space, Örjan Andersson (left), Rector of Novia, Tanja Risikko, Vice-Rector of the University of Vaasa and Sören Kock, representative of the Rector of Hanken in Vaasa.