Helsinki Education Hub (HEH) Incubation Program 2025
Deadline: June 13, 2025
The Helsinki Education Hub (HEH) Incubation Program 2025 is now accepting applications for a 12-week incubator designed for early-stage Edtech startups and university-based teams. The program targets teams developing digital solutions to address educational challenges both in Finland and internationally, with a focus on evidence-based impact on learning outcomes.
Applications are now open for the Helsinki Education Hub (HEH) Incubation Program 2025, an exciting opportunity designed to support early-stage Edtech startups and university-based teams in developing innovative digital solutions for the education sector. This program is open to teams that are focused on creating impactful solutions to address challenges within education, not only in Finland but also on an international scale.
The core aim of the program is to foster the development of effective, evidence-based educational technologies. One of the pressing issues in Edtech today is the lack of rigorous evidence demonstrating whether a solution genuinely improves learning outcomes and, if so, how it does so. To tackle this, the HEH Incubation Program brings together a diverse group of experts—including learning scientists, practicing educators, business development professionals, and entrepreneurs—in a collaborative environment known as the HEH Edtech Incubator. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that startups receive holistic support, combining pedagogical expertise with business and product development insights.
Program Details
The incubation program spans 12 weeks and offers tailored, Edtech-specific training designed to guide participants through every stage of developing a successful educational technology. During the program, participants will focus on building the “engine room” of their solution—developing pedagogically solid, research-backed products that meet real educational needs.
Key elements of the program include:
– Product Development: Participants will engage in a Lean LaunchPad approach, which emphasizes iterative building, testing, and refining of their product to ensure it addresses user needs effectively.
– Business Fundamentals: The program covers essential startup metrics, financial planning, and how to communicate your story effectively through pitches and presentations.
– Mentorship: Participants will have opportunities to meet with experienced educators who will mentor them on the pedagogical aspects of their solutions.
– Storytelling & Funding:** The program emphasizes crafting compelling narratives about your company, clarifying what sets you apart, and understanding how to secure investment. To practice pitching skills, participants will attend the InvestED event, which is part of the Edtech track at Slush 2025—a major international startup and tech event.
Upon completing the program, startups will be introduced to accelerators based in the EU and the US, should they wish to expand into international markets. The program recognizes the importance of understanding global markets early in the development process.
Eligibility Criteria
The program is aimed at teams that:
– Are research-based university teams—including researchers and students—from the University of Helsinki or other higher education institutions.
– Have a clear plan to register a company (with a Y-tunnus, or Finnish business ID) shortly after completing the incubation program.
– Are currently receiving R2B (Research to Business) funding from Business Finland or are university-based teams with ideas close to a prototype stage.
– Have already registered an Edtech startup but have not yet developed a full Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
– Are international early-stage Edtech startups willing to register their company in Finland (not necessarily with headquarters there) before the program begins.
Application Timeline
The HEH Edtech Incubator is a 12-week program scheduled to run from late September 2025 to early December 2025. Interested teams are encouraged to submit their applications promptly to be part of this transformative development journey.
This program offers a unique platform to refine your Edtech solution, gain valuable mentorship, and position your startup for success in both local and international markets. Don’t miss this opportunity to accelerate your innovation in education technology!
In conclusion, the Helsinki Education Hub Incubation Program 2025 presents a compelling opportunity for early-stage Edtech startups and university teams to develop impactful, research-backed educational solutions. By participating in this intensive 12-week program, teams will benefit from expert mentorship, targeted training, and valuable networking opportunities, including exposure at Slush 2025. The program’s emphasis on evidence-based product development, business fundamentals, and international market readiness equips participants to create innovative technologies that can meaningfully improve learning outcomes globally. Aspiring entrepreneurs and researchers are encouraged to seize this chance to accelerate their journey, refine their solutions, and make a lasting impact in the evolving education technology landscape.
For more information, visit HEH Incubation Program.