Business Incubator Program

Start: 31.3.2025 Duration: 8 weeks Session day: Monday End: 26.5.2025

Kick-start your idea to business.

This program offers you a fast-track to develop your business idea to market, and it is based on Lean LauchPad methods.

What is Lean Launchpad?
Lean LaunchPad is a hands-on entrepreneurship program designed to fast-track a startup from idea to market. Built on Lean Startup principles, this program guides founders through customer discovery, agile development, and rapid iteration. You and your team will get tools, insights, and support to transform your visions into a successful, scalable venture.

How does the program work?
During the program, you will work closely with mentors, industry experts, and fellow entrepreneurs to develop a minimum viable product (MVP) that meets market needs. Mentoring, workshops and Lean LaunchPad principles will support you and your team throughout the program.

The program will be in English, and it is free of charge.

When does the program take place?
The program will start on March 31, 2025 and end on May 26, 2025. It will include seven sessions.

Each session will be on Monday at 10.00–16.00. The sessions consist of two hours of lecture, one hour of working lunch (Q&A and reflection) and three hours of teamwork in the afternoon.

The sessions will be organized in Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (Ketunpolku 1, Kajaani).

Who can apply?
The program is open for students and staff of Kajaani University of Applied Sciences and all aspiring entrepreneurs from Kainuu region.

Please note that for businesses in game field we offer own mentoring program Kajaani Game Catalyst.

Are you in? Apply now!

The application period for the Business Incubator Program will start on March 3, 2025. The application form can be found at the link below.

APPLY for the Business Incubator Program

The last application day is March 24, 2025.

Only the applications sent through the official form during the application period will be considered.

The selection will be made in week 13 at the latest. The contact persons of the selected teams will be contacted personally.

For further information please contact:
Project Manager Antti Korhonen, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, antti.korhonen@kamk.fi

Come and join us to hear more about the Business Incubator Program.

Info events take place on
– Thursday March 13, 2025 at 16.00 in Taito1 building, Economics class (Kuntokatu 5)
– Friday March 14, 2025 at 9.00 in Taito2 building, Auditorium (Ketunpolku 4)

In the info events main lecturer for the program Will Cardwell will tell you more about the Lean Launchpad and incubator program methodology and Taina Mikkola, CEO of Elina Education, will tell how she developed her company and service at University of Helsinki Incubator Program.

Q: Do I get study credits from this Business Incubator Program?

A: No. But then again, if you want to go through the Business Incubator Program for study credits the life of an entrepreneur may not be right for you.

Q: My Mondays are tied in school / work / hobby. Can I still join the Business Incubator Program?

A: You need to be present Monday morning lectures. Afternoon groupwork can be done during the week also.

Q: Do I need to do something related to this program outside Mondays?

A: Yes. Mainly you need to interview you potential customers. And develop your business. It is like when being an entrepreneur, you do not work only on one day of the week.

Q: Is the course available in Finnish?

A: This spring this course is available only in English.

Q: I don’t want to participate as a team, but by myself to develop my idea. Can I apply?

A: Yes. There are many businesses that are 1-person businesses. But it is good to know that if you want to build a growth company it is good to have a team early on, even from the beginning.

Q: Is there mentoring available?

A: Yes, once we know the teams and individuals joining the program we will agree with mentors who know about the businesses on which you will be working on, on what kind of a support can they bring.

Q: Is the lunch included?

A: There is no free lunch when you become an entrepreneur.

Q: I cannot join now. Will there be another course later?

A: It is possible but not guaranteed, it depends on the results from the first program, lecturer’s commitments during the autumn and so on.

Q: Am I / Are we guaranteed to get in?

A: No, but we try to accommodate as many teams / individuals as possible. The better we understand your business idea (and believe that you can in the long run make living with the business coming out of that idea) the better your chances to get in are.

Q: Who is Will Cardwell, program’s main lecturer?

A: Will Cardwell is a seasoned venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and educator with over two decades of experience in supporting early-stage startups. As Managing Partner at Courage Ventures and Partner at Open Circle Capital, he has invested in AI-driven digital health, education, and environmental sectors across Finland, Lithuania, and the USA,. A dedicated mentor, he has guided over 1,000 students in entrepreneurship and M&A as a Professor of Practice at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Having lived in Finland since 1996, he has played a key role in its startup ecosystem, co-founding the Aalto Center for Entrepreneurship and leading Technopolis Ventures. Will’s hands-on approach to education and investment extends to accelerator programs in Europe and Africa, where he helps founders refine strategies and scale businesses. His work bridges venture capital, teaching, and ecosystem development to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Q: I have a question which it was not answered here.

A: Shoot us an email. Contact details are above. We will post the answer also here.

Business Incubator Program

Kick-start your idea to business.

Are you in? Apply now!

Come and join us to hear more about the Business Incubator Program.

Questions and Answers