The incubator program is designed for early stage Edtech startups and University-based teams. This means, that we are looking for teams, that are creating digital solutions for solving challenges in the education sector in Finland - but also internationally. One of the main issues in Edtech today is, for example, the lack of evidence. Does a solution improve learning outcomes and how? Our program responds to that need by bringing together learning scientists, practitioner level educators, business development experts and entrepreneurs in one innovation program - the HEH Edtech Incubator. 

 

 

-We support you in building a solution based on learning science and research; develop a research-based solution
-You will build your Minimum Viable Product by using our Edtech specific product development program; build your solution faster
-You will test and co-develop the product in the Helsinki Edtech Testbed and / or through other innovation networks; co-develop and validate your solution with users

 

 

An innovation program that takes you through 12 weeks of Edtech specific training.

 

1.We will support you in building the "engine room". That is when you develop a pedagogically solid solution. You will also go through the basics of startup metrics and financial aspects of running a company, get a hint on how to tell your story (pitch), and meet with educators, that will mentor you in the pedagogical aspects of your solution.

 

2. You will go through a Lean LaunchPad product development phase. This is when you start the product development journey: Build it, strengthen it and validate that you are doing the right things. 

 

3. During the program we will focus on your story as a company. What are you doing and why? How do you tell that to the rest of the world? What makes you different? Why should you get funded - and how do you get funded? To practice, you will get to attend the InvestED event, which is the Edtech track at Slush 2025.

 

After graduating from the program, you will be introduced to EU and US based Edtech Accelerators (if you so wish). We see that it is important for you to understand other markets, outside of Finland, - as soon as possible. 

 

Who should apply? 

The HEH Edtech incubator is a 12 week long innovation program for early stage Edtech startups. The program starts in late Early-September 2025 and ends in Early-December 2025. 

We are looking for teams that:  

1. Are research-based University teams (researchers and / or students), from University of Helsinki, or other higher educational institutions, that have a plan to register the company (y-tunnus / company-ID) soon after, when they have completed the innovation program. These are teams that receive R2B (Research to Business) funding from Business Finland and University-based teams with an idea, that is close to a prototype solution.

2. Have registered their Edtech startup already, but have not developed a full MVP (Minimum Viable Product) yet.  

3. International early stage Edtect startups that are willing to register (not HQ) their company in Finland before the start of the program. The City of Helsinki Soft Landing https://www.hel.fi/en/business-and-work/soft-landing services will partner, and advice you, with in the registration process. 

The innovation program is designed to best serve those who have a prototype, or are close to having one (an idea), of a future solution and want to develop it further into a Product. Our program is a Product Development Program. The program is not an Accelerator program, that ends in a Demo Day, with the main goal of raising funds. After our program, we will guide you to the next Edtech specific Accelerators, through our network, for that purpose.