Resilience & Security Pre-Incubator
Open Call for Applications | Cohort 1 – 2026
Programme Period: 1 September – 27 October 2026 (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Monday, 17 August 2026 at 23:59 (UTC+3)
What is it? The Resilience & Security Pre-Incubator is an 8-week programme by Helsinki Incubators at the University of Helsinki. This programme helps early-stage teams and individuals explore whether their idea, research, or technology has strong potential in security, resilience and deep technology (including dual-use applications). It serves as the entry point to the University of Helsinki’s Resilience & Security Incubators track and a potential pathway into the 4-month Incubator programme (selection required).
This is not a course or hackathon — it’s a focused, mission-driven programme for those who want to think and act like founders to solve security and resilience challenges.
Who should apply? This programme is open to all interested people, regardless of university affiliation. It warmly welcomes applications from all residents of the Helsinki Capital Region who are passionate about turning ideas into meaningful solutions in security and resilience.
We especially encourage:
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Students, researchers, and staff from University of Helsinki, VTT, Aalto University, National Defence University, Hanken School of Economics, Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu, Haaga-Helia ammattikorkeakoulu and other universities and research institutions.
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Entrepreneurs, engineers, technologists, and domain experts in deep-tech fields.
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People with practical or operational experience in security and resilience.
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Multidisciplinary teams combining technical, business, policy, or design skills.
No prior startup experience is required. What matters is genuine passion for solving important problems, willingness to build or join a team, and full commitment to the programme.
Focus Areas. The programme focuses on six key thematic areas:
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Cyber & Digital Security: Cybersecurity, digital infrastructure protection, AI resilience, advanced communications, contested electromagnetic environments, and quantum-secure technologies.
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Critical Infrastructure & Resources: Protection of critical infrastructure, energy security, critical minerals, supply chain resilience, nuclear and chemical security.
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Environment & Climate Security: Environmental and climate resilience, situational awareness, environmental sensing, and operations in extreme environments.
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AI, Data & Autonomous Systems: AI and data-assisted decision-making, autonomous and unmanned systems, human–AI teaming, and trustworthy autonomy.
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Space & Strategic Domains: Space infrastructure resilience, resilient operations in space, and strategic domain awareness technologies.
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Human Resilience & Biotechnologies: Human performance and protection technologies, biotechnology, biosecurity, and precision health applications.
Strong ideas from other fields are also welcome if they have a clear and relevant connection to resilience and security challenges.
What you get:
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Structured curriculum: problem validation, customer discovery, security ecosystem, responsible innovation, and storytelling.
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Dedicated coaching from business and domain experts.
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Validated problem statement and clear positioning.
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Roadmap for next steps, including possible direct entry to the 4-month Incubator.
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Knowledge of European funding opportunities and a strong peer community.
Our 8-Week Programme Journey
- Weeks 1–2: Discovery. Validate your core problem and map out market opportunities.
- Weeks 3–4: Alignment. Master security-first thinking, grasp export control basics, and define your strategic positioning.
- Weeks 5–6: Markets. Conduct targeted customer discovery across both civil and in resilience and security sectors (dual-use sectors).
- Weeks 7–8: Showcase. Build your compelling narrative, develop a commercial roadmap, and present your solution at the final showcase.
Schedule, Location, & Commitment
- Weekly Workshops: The core of the programme consists of intensive, weekly 3-hour workshop sessions. Attendance and active participation are mandatory for all selected teams.
- Tentative Timing: Sessions are tentatively planned to take place on Mondays or Tuesdays from 17:00 to 20:00 (after standard working hours).
- Schedule Flexibility: We want to ensure the programme works for everyone. Depending on the availability of the accepted participants, we are also considering holding these workshops during regular working hours (mornings or afternoons). The final schedule will be confirmed based on the cohort's collective availability.
- Location: Workshops will be held in person in the Helsinki City Centre. The exact venue and room details will be confirmed and communicated to participants closer to the start of the programme.
Backed by Helsinki Incubators’ strong track record (800+ teams, 120+ startups launched). More information here. Ready to build solutions that strengthen security and resilience? Apply now.
Questions? please contact:
Andrés Archila - Lead Resilience & Security Incubator programmes.
Email: andres.archila@helsinki.fi
Mobile: +358 50 5215286
