Startup Summit Kuopio
About the event
Startup Summit Kuopio is a regional startup and innovation event bringing together founders, investors, researchers, experts and ecosystem builders for practical conversations, visibility and new connections.
Why it exists
A focused meeting point for people turning ideas into business.
Startup Summit Kuopio is built to create useful encounters between early-stage companies, investors, researchers, business leaders and people working with innovation and growth.
The event combines a startup pitching competition, expert insights, partner perspectives, a panel discussion and guided networking in a practical afternoon format. The aim is not just to fill a room, but to help promising ideas, teams and research-based innovations move closer to customers, funding, partnerships and commercial impact.
18 Aug 2026
The event takes place on Tuesday 18 August 2026.
Kuopio
Hosted in Kuopio, Finland, as part of Health Insights Week 2026.
12:00-17:30
A focused afternoon programme with pitches, keynotes and networking.
18:30
Informal networking continues at the afterparty.
Purpose
What the event is built to do
The goal is to create visibility, useful connections and a stronger path between ideas, companies, research and growth.
Make startups visible
Give early-stage companies and teams a practical platform to present what they are building and where they are heading next.
Create useful connections
Bring founders, investors, researchers and ecosystem actors into the same room for focused conversations.
Strengthen the ecosystem
Build continuity and credibility for startup activity in Kuopio and Eastern Finland.
Format
Clear programme, practical focus
What happens during the day
- Startup pitches from selected early-stage teams.
- Keynotes and practical insights from experienced speakers.
- Panel discussion on research commercialisation and growth.
- Guided networking and matchmaking between relevant participants.
Who should attend
- Startup founders and early-stage teams looking for visibility and feedback.
- Investors interested in discovering new companies and founder teams.
- Researchers and research-based teams exploring commercialisation.
- Experts, partners and ecosystem builders supporting innovation and growth.
Part of Health Insights Week 2026
Startup Summit Kuopio 2026 is part of Health Insights Week 2026, a wider week of innovation, collaboration and future-oriented discussion in Kuopio. Startup Summit Kuopio brings the startup and investor perspective into the week and connects it with research, business development and regional growth.
Previous event
From Startup Summit Eastern Finland 2025
Photos from Startup Summit Eastern Finland 2025, organized in Microkatu 1, Novapolis.
Photography by Paula Turpeinen.
Join Startup Summit Kuopio 2026
Early bird tickets are now available for 20 €. The ticket includes the full event programme, coffee, tea, light snacks, beverages and access to facilitated matchmaking during the event.
Partners
Startup Summit Kuopio 2026 is built together with partners who support innovation, entrepreneurship and growth.
