Open call for photonics and high-tech business ideas
By following the instructions on this page, you can apply in this themed call. The selected teams get access to a 4-month coaching period and receive EUR 1000 in funding.
The sponsors of the call are Karelia University of Applied Sciences and the University of Eastern Finland’s photonics research and innovation flagship project PREIN. This call is also done in partnership with Photonics Finland and Innokaupunki Joensuu 2 project.
The application deadline is February 27th, 2025
Who is this call for?
Do you have a product or service idea related to photonics or other high technology? Simple, side business ideas are also eligible!
You can apply for this special call in Joensuu if your team includes at least one person who is a student, staff representative or alumni of Karelia University of Applied Sciences, the University of Eastern Finland or the Riveria Vocational College.
In addition to yourself, your team must have at least one person with whom you develop the business idea further.
What do I commit when I apply?
In exchange for funding, you act as an expert by experience and commit to writing 1-2 blog posts about the experiences of developing your business idea.
Sponsors of this themed call can refine the material you produce into so-called case studies, which are helpful to other teams in a similar situation of business development.
You are able and committed to spend your time developing your business idea at least a few hours a week.
What are the benefits of the program?
If you are selected in this special search, you will get access to a 4-month coaching period, during which you will be helped by experts.
Photonics entrepreneur, investor and professor Jyrki Saarinen is the head coach of this themed call.
You get to know and network with other future entrepreneurs.
You get funding 1000 EUR. After the themed call, you can apply for the next stage of the Draft Program, where the amount of funding is 3000 EUR for those who are selected.
You will get visibility for your own new starting business
Here’s how to apply
1. Complete the one-page business plan (get the template here, read instructions here)
2. Fill in and send an application form with the one-page plan as attachment
3. If your application is selected to be presented to the jury, prepare a pitching presentation of your idea (link to the presentation template here)
4. Practice presenting your ideas within the time limit.
5. Present your business idea to the jury on the pitching day in Joensuu. Selection criteria are the feasibility, innovativeness and business potential of the idea.
If you want more information please contact draft@karelia.fi or +358(0)503109657 (if there is no answer, please write SMS or WhatsApp message).
