2.2.2026
Heikki Immonen, Karelia University of Applied Sciences
Matti Laitinen, Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Viena Taskinen, Savonlinnan Hankekehitys Oy
Number of applicants and teams selected to the program
In 2025, a total of 172 teams applied to the Draft ProgramĀ® through three application rounds (95 in North Karelia, 70 in North Savo, and 7 in Savonlinna). 58 teams were selected to participate in either the initial or follow-up phase of the program (27 in North Karelia, 25 in North Savo, and 6 in Savonlinna), representing 34% of all applicants. Compared to the previous year, the number of applications increased by 8%.
In addition to the three regular application rounds in North Karelia, a special call focused on photonics and high-tech was organized in early autumn 2025. The submitted business ideas included digital platform solutions, tourism and entertainment services, as well as physical innovations in the field of photonics. An increasing number of business ideas utilized artificial intelligence in one form or another. The year 2025 was the most international in the programās history: 69% of applicant teams used English as their working language (the previous record was 34% in 2024).
The year 2025 was active and content-rich for the Draft Program in North Savo. Three application rounds were carried out during the year (January, May, and September), highlighting especially technology-based, service-oriented, and impact-driven business ideas. The quality and multidisciplinary nature of the applications further strengthened Draftās role as an identifier and developer of early-stage entrepreneurship in North Savo.
In 2025, the Draft Program expanded to Savonlinna. In the first application round held in autumn 2025, six teams were selected. Their business ideas ranged widely from digital service platforms to food and textile products. Each selected team included at least one resident of the City of Savonlinna. In addition, the teams included a total of three representatives from Samiedu and four from XAMK (students, alumni, or staff members).
Draft Program expands to Savonlinna and Varkaus
In 2025, the Draft Program took a significant step by expanding its operations to Savonlinna. In the first application round held in autumn, seven applications were submitted, all of which were invited to interviews. After the interviews, six teams were selected for the program. Their business ideas represented a broad spectrum, from digital service platforms to food, event, and textile products. All selected teams included at least one resident of Savonlinna, and the teams collectively involved three representatives from Samiedu and four from XAMK (students, alumni, or staff).
The selected ideas included, among others, fermented products utilizing natural ingredients, sales brokerage and technical consulting services for hydraulic and pneumatic solutions, a digital platform connecting ice hockey stakeholders, a word game application based on a board game, a high-quality event service concept, and a unisex jacket collection made entirely from 100% Finnish wool.
The implementation of the Savonlinna Draft Program emphasized team-specific and practical mentoring. Each team was supported individually, and a total of 17 mentoring sessions were organized during the autumn, lasting from one to three hours each. Topics covered included social media channels, website and e-commerce development, marketing and business plans, financial calculations, and entrepreneursā responsibilities and obligations. Teams also received support in designing surveys, identifying potential partners, practicing pitching, and assessing opportunities for international sales.
In Savonlinna, the 2025 Draft activities were carried out with support from the European Union co-funded Green Grow Up project, which enabled the launch of the program in a new location with a strong development-oriented approach.
In 2025, the Draft Program also strengthened its regional impact in North Savo by expanding to Varkaus. Varkaus is rooted in a strong industrial heritage and a long-standing entrepreneurial culture. Its history as a center for energy, metal, and process industries provides a natural foundation for new business ideas that combine technological expertise, practical development, and renewed entrepreneurship.
Companies that started new business operations
During 2025, a total of 25 companies (12 in North Karelia, 11 in North Savo, and 2 in Savonlinna) that had participated in the Draft Program in 2025 or earlier started new business operations. This represents a 10% increase in the number of established or business-starting companies.
With support from the Draft Program, the following companies, among others, started their operations:
PunttiKontti Oy ā https://punttikontti.fi/
Invest AiQ Oy ā https://investaiq.com/
Oppimisen Tupa Oy ā https://oppimisentupa.fi/
Massai Sense Oy ā https://www.massaisense.com/fi/
Eco Wolf Oy ā https://ecowolf.fi/
Voim Voim Oy ā https://voima.gg/
Hius/Hoitola Eleonora ā https://hiushoitolaeleonora.fi/
Surgerix Oy ā https://surgerix.com/
HaVe Living Solutions Oy
HeroPlay Kids Oy ā https://hero-play.com/
ElƤinklinikka Soma ā https://www.elainklinikkasoma.fi/
Pohjoinen MetsƤ
Wave-R Oy ā https://www.wave-r.com/
Sylvi Publishing Oy
Finnamie Oy ā https://www.finnamie.com/
Pasiās Fantastic Hobbies Oy ā https://pasisfantastichobbies.myportfolio.com/
Nandiini Oy
FotonLink Oy ā https://fotonlink.com/
COMPLETE-Finland ā https://complete-finland.com/
Prime Reach ā https://www.primereachads.fi/
KAARNA Art Management ā https://www.kaarnaart.com/
HydrPneum
Happiness Games Oy
Achievements of companies and teams
A unique business idea grew from values and sensitivity ā a sensory-friendly hair salon experience is now a reality:
https://sakky.fi/valokeilassa/ainutlaatuinen-liikeidea-syntyi-arvoista-ja-herkkyydesta-eleonora-winquist-tarjoaa-aistiystavallisen-kampaamokokemuksen
The Voima game, developed by Valtteri Mƶnkkƶnen, is far from finished, yet has already gained online attention for its strangeness:
https://www.iltalehti.fi/pelaaminen/a/9df803f6-93b8-4d3f-9ea4-1d0a6ff2054c
SURGERIX was selected as the winner of the Health Design Pitching competition among more than 50 applicants:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/healthdesign_we-have-a-winner-huge-congratulations-activity-7389974792256360448-O6pQ/
Alice AIās application teaches languages in just 10 minutes a day ā and may soon also support NATO countries:
https://www.kauppalehti.fi/uutiset/a/4b593daa-378f-43e9-8da0-cf39a7d844bd
UEF spin-off Marginum raised ā¬2.5 million in funding:
https://www.uef.fi/en/article/research-based-company-raises-eu25-million-for-international-launch-of-cancer-surgery-technology
A new veterinary clinic will open in Kuopio in summer 2025:
https://www.savonsanomat.fi/paikalliset/8575475
Leo Fadi, founder of Vesko Oy, served as Finlandās flag bearer at Web Summit 2025 in autumn 2025:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/finnish-innovation-websummit-2025-updating-futx-srjwf/
Tayyab Farooq Arshad, founder of COMPLETE-Finland, won the competitive category āEnhancing the Circulation of Household Items in Student Housingā at SOHJO Hacks in spring 2025:
https://climatejoensuu.fi/teko/-/asset_publisher/5m9ntwvziBqn/content/sohjo-hacks-hackathonissa-ratkottiin-kestavyyshaasteita
EduZolve Oy and Vesko Oy were two of the six finalists in the Suden Suu pitching competition at the SOHJO 2025 event.
North Karelian startups Wave-R Oy, Karelian Paju Oy, and COMPLETE-Finland were selected as Finlandās representatives for the European INVEST Incubator program for 2026.