HELSEED workshops

Alex Ackermann received a 30 000€ investment from the University of Helsinki in HELSEED 2020.
Read his story in Think Media (in Finnish).

Taking the steps from a seed of an idea to a successful company can seem complex, but it doesn't have to be that way! HELSEED is a programme designed for aspiring entrepreneurs who have the hunger to learn more, make progress on their business and apply for funding. We will be there for every step of the way!

Think of us as guides in the big forest of entrepreneurship. We will direct you on your trail towards entrepreneurship all the way from developing your idea to getting to know your target audience. Then, we will guide you through testing your idea and getting it ready for you to be able to apply for funding. Ready to start the hike?

These workshops are organised in collaboration with the University of Helsinki, as a part of the wider HELSEED programme. The workshops are open for everyone, but also designed to support students from the University of Helsinki on their journey in making a business plan and applying for HELSEED funding.

Who can attend?

Two young women sitting at a table and writing on sticky notes.

Students, graduates and researchers

All you need is an idea, we offer a creative and supportive environment to work with it. In HELSEED workshops you can develop your idea and learn what you should know when building a business around it.

Early-stage companies

If you already have a business or are just a few steps away from establishing one, we help you to be prepared for the next move. Whether it’s perfecting your business plan or getting ready for negotiations with investors, we provide concrete tools to help you.

Young smiling woman sitting in an audience

Everyone with a curious mind

We welcome all who are curious to learn about opportunities of entrepreneurial thinking. We are happy to offer you an insight into entrepreneurship as a career path. Who knows, maybe you will find your future dream job on this journey!

Workshop schedule

Read more and reserve a spot!

Explore the spring 2026 workshops below, and pick and choose the ones that support your entrepreneurial journey!

Thu 2.4. Crystallise your idea, 17–19
Terkko Health Hub, Event Square
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Turn your early idea (or even just a problem you care about) into a clear concept. You’ll step back to understand the context, then sharpen it into a solution you can explain clearly and simply. Get guided feedback from experts and others in the same stage.
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Who should attend:
🌱 Individuals and teams with a rough idea (or a problem to solve)
🌱 Early-stage projects/startups that need clarity on what they’re actually building and for whom
🌱 Teams and individuals with existing businesses or startup ideas

What you will learn:
🌱 Crystallise your idea into a clear project/business concept
🌱 Understand the context around your idea: users, problem, alternatives, and why now
🌱 Turn the “big picture” into a clarified solution statement you can confidently explain

Thu 9.4. Utilising Lean Canvas, 17–19
Terkko Health Hub, Event Square
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Give your idea structure by using practical business planning tools. We’ll focus on the Lean Canvas and show you how to map your concept into a clear, funder-friendly plan. You’ll leave with a usable draft you can build on immediately.

Who should attend:
🌱 Teams and individuals with existing businesses or startup ideas
🌱 Teams planning to apply for HELSEED funding
🌱 Anyone looking to clarify and improve their business plan with the Lean Canvas as a tool

What you will learn:
🌱 Understand the key elements of a Lean Canvas and its interdependencies
🌱 Identify critical plan aspects to win over funders and investors
🌱 Pinpoint and address weaknesses, strategise against potential threats

Thu 16.4. Finding your customer, 17–19
Terkko Health Hub, Event Square

Get crystal clear on who your ideal customers are, and what problem you’re truly solving for them. You’ll learn how to choose the right audience to focus on and shape your message so people actually care. This is where targeting and early brand direction starts to click.

‍‍Who should attend:
🌱 Individuals or teams with a startup idea/project who want clarity on who they’re building for
🌱Anyone whose target audience feels too broad, unclear, or based on assumptions
🌱People still ideating, who want a better understanding of their target customer

What you will learn:
🌱 Problem framing: define the real problem your idea solves, and why it matters
🌱 Identify key customer segments and decide who to focus on first
🌱 Basics of brand building: positioning and messaging that makes your audience care

Thu 23.4. Build - Measure - Learn, 17–19
Terkko Health Hub, Event Square
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Move from concept to action by learning how to plan a pilot and test your idea fast. You’ll identify what you already know, what you still need to validate, and design simple experiments to get real-world answers. Leave with clear next steps for your pilot.

Who should attend:
🌱 Teams and individuals ready to move from idea → action and test their concept in the real world
🌱 Anyone who has a draft solution and wants to validate it before investing serious time or money
🌱 People still ideating, who want to learn how experimentation guides the “right next step”

What you will learn:
🌱 Product piloting basics: how to plan a pilot and turn your idea into concrete, doable steps
🌱 Experimentation principles: what assumptions you’re testing and how to learn fast from feedback
🌱 How to identify what you already know vs. what you still need to validate — and go from there!

"We thought that if everything went well, our idea could be useful for people all over Finland, all over Europe and all over the world. That's why building a company was the way and the tool to take this idea forward."

Otto Laitinen, Evexia

Evexia received a 30 000€ investment in HELSEED 2020.
Read about their journey in Think Media (in Finnish).

FAQ's

Who can participate?

The answer is simple: everyone interested in our workshops can participate. We don’t have any requirements for a status of the participant or for baseline information.

Can I participate in the workshops on my own?

Yes, you can participate in the workshops on your own! Same goes for the whole HELSEED program, but if you are considering applying for funding, it is recommended that you find at least one other enthusiastic participant for your team. Founding a startup on your own is a big undertaking.

How do I participate in the workshops?

You can pick the workshops you find interesting or attend to the whole series. Sign up to workshops you wish to attend by two days before the workshop will be held.

Who is organising the HELSEED Workshops?

The HELSEED workshops are organised by Helsinki Think Company.

What is the language of the workshops?

The language for all workshops is English.

Can I get study credits from attending?

Yes! Read more about study credits on the University of Helsinki HELSEED page.

Are the workshops online?

All workshops of spring 2026 will be offline live events, located in Terkko Health Hub. More info on the registration website!

How are the workshops related to the HELSEED program?

The HELSEED program is a startup entrepreneurship program for students aiming to encourage them to develop their ideas towards startup companies. The premise of the programme is to draw up a business plan on the basis of an idea or for an existing startup, and the HELSEED workshops provide help for that. Possibility of early stage funding is offered for the most promising startups.

I want to participate in the HELSEED workshops, but not the whole program, is that possible?

Yes. Everyone is welcomed to HELSEED workshops and you can participate in the ones you find most interesting. If you want to apply for funding, we suggest taking part in all of the workshops!

I want to participate in the HELSEED program, do I have to attend the workshops?

Workshops are a voluntary part of the HELSEED program. You can participate in all the other parts of the HELSEED program, writing a business plan and applying for funding, without attending the HELSEED workshops.

How can I apply for funding?

HELSEED participants who are students at the University of Helsinki can apply for funding in autumn 2025 from the University of Helsinki Funds. More precisely, one person in the applying team has to be an undergraduate or a postgraduate from the university. The funding process includes providing a business plan and pitching the business idea to the jury of the fund.

The funding decision is always taken on a case-by-case basis, meaning that several teams can be funded during the same autumn. The University of Helsinki Funds will make an initial investment of €10,000–€50,000 in the most interesting startups.