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 program 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 your way 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 program. 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

All workshops take place at 17-19 at Think Corner, 2nd floor, Yliopistonkatu 4

Thu 3.4. Crystallize Your Idea, 17-19
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The very first HELSEED workshop starts with the topic of crystallization of an idea. During the workshop, participants will focus on polishing their potential idea for a project or a business. The aim is to understand the context around the idea and thereby formulate a clear and clarified solution based on an understanding of the big picture.

This workshop offers you the space to develop your idea, while being surrounded by people in a similar situation who can offer support and inspiration. The experts at Helsinki Think company will guide you to kick-start your project.

Thu 10.4. Create a Business Plan, 17-19
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The second workshop of the HELSEED series is focused on understanding the basics of business models. We will introduce a business model called Lean canvas that participants will learn to use.

The workshop teaches you what to do in concrete and practical terms. One might have great ideas in mind, but there needs to be a model for the ideas to find form and truly create the wanted results. That is the aim of this workshop.

Thu 17.4. Find Your Customers, 17-19
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The third HELSEED workshop focuses on defining and designing your ideal customers, In this workshop, you will learn problem framing by understanding how to approach the problem that your solution or idea aims to solve. You will be Identifying your key customers, and understanding why they are crucial for your business and strategy. You will also learn about brand building, which will help to advance your business idea.

You will also learn about brand building, which will help to advance your business idea. Are you interested in learning how to target your audience and pique their interest in your business? This workshop is for you!
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Thu 24.4. Build - Measure - Learn, 17-19

In this springs’ final HELSEED workshop, teams will focus on putting their idea and concept into action by learning how to conduct product piloting. The planning and creation of concrete steps for your pilot will begin right here – with the help of our experts!

This workshop will get you familiar with the principles of experimenting. The goal is to understand what you already know and what you need to gain knowledge on. Get ready to learn valuable tools and find the best direction for your business through experimentation.

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Teams are welcome to continue working on their ideas and business plans in the Helsinki Think Company coworking spaces during our opening hours.

Autumn 2025 workshops dates will be released later.

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 organizing the HELSEED Workshops?

The HELSEED workshops are organized 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 2025 will be offline live events, located at Think Corner, Yliopistonkatu 4. 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.