Applications are now open for the Startup Summit Kuopio 2026 pitch competition.

Startup Summit Kuopio is looking for ambitious early-stage startups to pitch on stage in front of founders, investors, experts, partners and the Eastern Finland startup ecosystem.

Date 18 August 2026

Location Kuopio, Finland

Deadline 1 July 2026

Apply to pitch your startup

If you are building a startup and want visibility, useful feedback and relevant connections, this is your opportunity to get in front of the right people in Kuopio.

Apply to pitch

Who can apply?

The pitch competition is open to early-stage startups and startup teams that are building a scalable business. You do not need to be based in Kuopio or Eastern Finland, but selected teams must be able to attend and pitch in person at Startup Summit Kuopio 2026.

Early-stage startups with a clear business idea, product, service or technology.
Startup teams preparing for launch, validation, growth or funding.
Research-based teams commercializing an innovation or new technology.
Student-led startup teams with serious ambition to build a company.
Founders looking for feedback, visibility, partners, customers or investor connections.

What selected startups get

Selected startups get more than a short moment on stage. The goal is to help promising teams sharpen their message, receive useful feedback and meet relevant people from the startup ecosystem.

Stage visibility Pitch your startup in front of founders, investors, partners, ecosystem operators and business experts.

Expert feedback Receive direct comments from experienced judges and startup ecosystem professionals.

Free entry Selected pitching teams receive free access to Startup Summit Kuopio 2026.

Pitch preparation Selected teams will be invited to a pre-event pitching workshop.

New connections Meet potential partners, advisors, investors, customers and other founders.

Prize package The winning team will receive a startup growth package. More details will be announced before the event.

Pitch format

The pitch competition is designed to be clear, focused and useful for both the startups and the audience. Each selected team will present their startup on stage and receive feedback from the jury.

3-minute pitch from each selected startup.
3 minutes of feedback and questions from the jury.
The pitch takes place live on stage at Savonia UAS Kampussydän in Kuopio.
The pitching language can be English. More detailed instructions will be sent to selected teams.

What kind of startups are we looking for?

We are looking for startups with a clear problem, a credible solution and the ambition to build something scalable. The company does not need to be perfect or fully funded. What matters is that the team is serious, coachable and ready to present its idea clearly.

Startups solving a real and meaningful problem.
Teams with a clear target customer or user group.
Ideas with potential to grow beyond a small local project.
Technology, research, health, software, sustainability, industrial, service innovation and other scalable startup concepts.
Founders who can explain why now is the right time for their solution.

Important dates

Application deadline 1 July 2026

Selected teams notified By 1 August 2026

Pitch competition 18 August 2026 at Startup Summit Kuopio 2026, Savonia UAS Kampussydän, Microkatu 1, Kuopio

About Startup Summit Kuopio 2026

Startup Summit Kuopio brings together startups, investors, researchers, entrepreneurs, students and ecosystem builders for an afternoon of pitches, insights and networking. The event takes place on 18 August 2026 at Savonia University of Applied Sciences in Kuopio.

The event is part of Health Insights Week 2026 and aims to strengthen the startup and innovation ecosystem in Eastern Finland by creating practical meeting points between founders, experts, investors and partners.