January 29, 2025
Heikki Immonen, Karelia University of Applied Sciences
Matti Laitinen, Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Number of applicants and selected teams
In 2024, a total of 160 teams applied to the Draft Program® through three application rounds (71 in North Karelia, 89 in North Savo).
- 136 teams applied for the first phase (59 in North Karelia, 77 in North Savo).
- 26 teams applied for the continuation phase (12 in North Karelia, 14 in North Savo).
- A total of 56 teams were selected for either the first or continuation phase (31 in North Karelia, 25 in North Savo), accounting for 35% of applicants.
The number of applicants increased by 32% compared to the previous year!
Highlights from applicant statistics
North Karelia
Applicants were fairly evenly linked to Karelia University of Applied Sciences, Riveria, and the University of Eastern Finland (UEF).
- 65% of applicant teams included at least one student member.
- 16% included staff members from educational institutions (including postgraduate students/researchers).
- 39% included at least one graduate (alumni) from these institutions.
- 2024 was the most international year for the Draft Program in North Karelia!
- 39% of applicant teams used English as their working language.
- 14% of applicant teams (students) were from ‘Vuosi Yrittäjänä’ (Year as an Entrepreneur) training enterprises.
North Savo
Applicants represented students from various institutions, as well as alumni from the University of Eastern Finland, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, and Savo Vocational College.
- Several teams included experienced entrepreneurs and multidisciplinary teams from different municipalities in North Savo.
- Kuopio’s city call saw increased engagement, with one-fifth of selected teams (first or continuation funding) coming from Kuopio-based participants.
- The diversity of participants reflects the creativity and market awareness of business idea owners in the region.
Newly established businesses
In 2024, 21 businesses (12 in North Karelia, 9 in North Savo) launched operations after participating in the Draft Program in 2024 or earlier.
This marks a 40% increase in the number of newly established businesses!
- Vesko Oy – https://vesko.fi/
- Rebooted Solutions Oy – https://rebooted.solutions/
- Ouro Stories Oy – https://www.ourostories.com/
- Printtihukka – https://printtihukka.sumupstore.com/
- Finlandiamo – https://www.finlandiamo.com/
- Ilon Lähde – https://www.ilonlahde.fi/
- Pellamo – https://pellamo.fi/
- Markku Hoitaa – https://www.markkuhoitaa.fi/
- Elmina – https://www.elmina.fi/
- Tiijot – https://www.tiijot.fi/
- Tagnito – https://tagnito.com/
- My Nursie – https://www.mynursie.com/
- Oliko Naturals – https://www.olikonaturals.com/
Achievements of businesses and teams
A 25-year-old Finnish entrepreneur aims to make millions with a plastic piece tested by NHL goalies – https://yle.fi/a/74-20070669
With a strong business idea and pitch, entrepreneurs can attract business angels – https://www.savonsanomat.fi/paikalliset/7867400
Digital Health coaching program welcomes 15 ambitious companies – including Kuopio-based MyNursie – https://www.sttinfo.fi/tiedote/70145738/digital-health-sparrausohjelmaan-15-kasvunnalkaista-yritysta?publisherId=26883916&lang=fi
A Finnish innovation could revolutionize cancer surgery – first tested in Tampere, Finland – https://yle.fi/a/74-20117971
Winners of the ‘Start Me Up’ student competition – University of Eastern Finland’s winning idea: Electronic drug tracking software – https://businessjoensuu.fi/ajankohtaista/avaruusajan-diagnostiikkalaite-terveydenhuoltoon-ja-kuluttajille-vitalsigns-on-start-me-up-2024-liikeideakilpailun-voittaja
Materialisting Oy (Joensuu-Helsinki) won a €10,000 grand prize, while Betterfly Oy (Kuopio) won the audience vote at the Dream startup competition in Lahti – https://www.ess.fi/paikalliset/7951293
Karelian Paju Oy (Joensuu) launched industrial-scale biochar test production in Kontiolahti’s Uuro area – https://www.pielisjokiseutu.fi/paikalliset/7977163
Circutus Oy (Joensuu) won the €15,000 Sininen Pallo environmental award – https://www.sls.fi/fi/yleinen-fi/100-000-euron-sininen-pallo-ymparistopalkinto-eetti-rylle-viiden-vaatteen-vuosi-haasteen-kaynnistajille-ja-vertaisvuokraamon-perustajalle/
Kniteco Oy (Liperi) won the award for best business idea in Liperi, and Liito Oy won the best Karelia student business idea award at the Start Me Up competition – https://businessjoensuu.fi/ajankohtaista/avaruusajan-diagnostiikkalaite-terveydenhuoltoon-ja-kuluttajille-vitalsigns-on-start-me-up-2024-liikeideakilpailun-voittaja
Vesko Oy (Joensuu) was selected to represent Finland in the INVEST Incubator international business accelerator.