Originally published: 29 September 2025

On 19 September 2025, Kuopio became the centre of Eastern Finland’s startup and research scene as Falling Walls Lab Eastern Finland was organized for the first time at KPY Novapolis, followed by Startup Summit Eastern Finland.

The day brought together researchers, students, startups, investors and innovation enthusiasts. The event demonstrated the strong collaboration between research, companies and ecosystem actors in the region.

Date 19 September 2025
Location KPY Novapolis, Kuopio
Theme Research, startups and commercialization

Two events, one shared goal

Falling Walls Lab Eastern Finland and Startup Summit Eastern Finland brought together research-based innovation, startup pitching, investors and regional ecosystem collaboration in one full day.

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Science meets commercialization: Falling Walls Lab Eastern Finland

The morning programme featured the internationally recognized Falling Walls Lab pitch competition, offering researchers and students a stage to present research-based breakthrough ideas in three-minute pitches.

The event was part of the global Falling Walls network. In Kuopio, 11 competitors from four different cities participated.

The winner of the competition was Arash Mirhashemi, a postdoctoral researcher in technical physics at the University of Eastern Finland. His presentation, “Breaking the Wall of Non-Destructive Biomarker Imaging for Osteoarthritis Studies”, impressed the jury.

His AI-powered spectral imaging analysis tool offers new possibilities for musculoskeletal disease research. Arash was awarded a ticket and travel to the global Falling Walls Lab final in Berlin in November.

Falling Walls Lab brought together research, investors and ecosystem actors

The Falling Walls Lab morning attracted a broad audience: researchers and students from across Finland, investors looking for the next breakthroughs, and regional innovation and ecosystem actors building the future of Eastern Finland.

The audience also had the opportunity to get inspired and network with representatives from universities, investment funds and public organizations.

Research-based ideas Researchers and students presented breakthrough ideas in a concise three-minute pitch format.
Investor perspective Investors and experts assessed commercialization potential and early-stage opportunities.
International connection The winner advanced toward the global Falling Walls Lab final in Berlin.
Regional visibility The event highlighted the research and innovation potential of Eastern Finland.

Morning keynote speakers and jury

The morning programme included keynote talks from Jarmo Lumpus and Milla Koistinaho.

Jarmo Lumpus Serial entrepreneur: “How AI is Rewriting the Startup Playbook”
Milla Koistinaho Innovestor Life Science Fund, Associate Professor at UEF: “Commercialising research results – what are investors looking for?”

The Falling Walls Lab jury included experts from universities, investment, business development and technology.

  • Minna Hendolin – University of Eastern Finland
  • Milla Koistinaho – Innovestor
  • Tuomas Planman – Business Finland
  • Ilkka Fagerlund – University of Helsinki
  • Tuomo Kauranne – Arbonaut

Momentum for startups: Startup Summit Eastern Finland 2025

In the afternoon, the stage shifted to startups as nine promising teams from Eastern Finland pitched their solutions in the Startup Summit Eastern Finland competition.

In addition to being a pitch competition, the event served as a networking platform for early-stage startups seeking funding, visibility and new connections.

Evaluation criteria included the problem and solution, business model and scalability, team capability, market potential and competitive advantage, as well as financial feasibility.

VoimaX won the Startup Summit Eastern Finland pitch competition

The winner was VoimaX from LUT University. The company develops magnet-free electric motor technology that could significantly impact sustainable transport and industrial solutions.

VoimaX received strong recognition from the jury for its research-driven innovation and commercialization potential, and was awarded a ticket to Slush 2025.

Winning team VoimaX from LUT University.
Technology Magnet-free electric motor technology for sustainable transport and industrial applications.
Recognition The jury highlighted the company’s research-driven innovation and commercialization potential.
Prize VoimaX received a ticket to Slush 2025.

Startup Summit keynote speakers and jury

The afternoon programme included keynote talks from startup, investment and ecosystem experts.

  • Janne Juhola – Angel CoFund / Innovestor
  • Saara Rissanen – Adamant Health Oy
  • Maija Lindeman – Finnish Startup Community

The Startup Summit jury evaluated the pitching teams based on business potential, scalability, team capability and feasibility.

  • Janne Juhola – Angel CoFund / Innovestor
  • Maija Lindeman – Finnish Startup Community
  • Jari Osmala – FiBAN

Built by the community

The events were the result of broad collaboration. The organizers included the University of Eastern Finland, Business Kuopio, Business Joensuu / Startup Joensuu, Novapolis, Business Center North Savo, Hub Panostamo and several regional actors such as Savonia University of Applied Sciences together with partners.

The value of ecosystem work was clearly visible in how different actors complemented each other. Universities contributed research-based ideas and talent, investors assessed commercialization potential, and development organizations and business services provided pathways for growth and internationalization.

Student volunteers also played an important role in ensuring smooth execution and bringing energy to the event.

Supported by regional and national partners

The events were also supported by a broad group of partners and ecosystem organizations.

  • Saastamoinen Foundation
  • Nostetta Ventures
  • FiBAN
  • North Savo Entrepreneurship Society
  • Kuopio Region Chamber of Commerce
  • Business Finland
  • Innovestor
  • Finnish Startup Community

Highlighting the strengths of Eastern Finland

The events demonstrated how research, entrepreneurship and innovation are closely connected in Eastern Finland. Both morning and afternoon winning teams originated from research, highlighting the strong commercialization potential within the region.

At the same time, commercialization depends on continuous basic research, as it is impossible to predict in advance which discoveries will become viable businesses.

The stage featured a diverse range of startups across industries, including tourism, healthcare, life sciences, technology, services and industrial solutions. This reflects the region’s ability to generate ideas from multiple directions.

Equally important was the collaboration: companies, investors, universities, research institutions and business services worked together to create an event that supports startup growth and visibility.

Why events like this matter

Events like Falling Walls Lab Eastern Finland and Startup Summit Eastern Finland do not only highlight individual teams and innovations. They strengthen the entire innovation ecosystem of Eastern Finland.

When research, entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem builders work together, the conditions for new success stories are created.

For researchers A stage to present research-based ideas and explore commercialization pathways.
For startups Visibility, feedback and connections with investors, partners and ecosystem actors.
For investors Access to early-stage ideas, founder teams and research-driven innovation.
For the region A stronger, more visible and better-connected startup and innovation ecosystem.

Comments from participants

Arash Mirhashemi “It was a great experience for me. I have always presented my research in academic settings, so pitching in front of judges and participants was a real challenge. I believe it is valuable to be part of a global arena and represent our scientific research internationally. Eastern Finland — and Finland as a whole — needs more visibility to unlock the potential of research and startups through events like this.”
Jarmo Lumpus “Events like Falling Walls Lab are vital in Finland because they bring together founders, investors, and partners, create collaboration, and accelerate the journey from idea to market. They also showcase Finnish innovation globally and inspire new entrepreneurs to get started.”
Milla Koistinaho “Falling Walls Lab Eastern Finland is an excellent platform for early-stage innovators to present breakthrough ideas, network with peers and stakeholders, and gain valuable visibility. It enables participants to reach investors and professionals, receive feedback, and build networks. As an investor, I value access to high-quality, research-based early-stage opportunities and the strengthening of regional networks.”
Minna Hendolin “Today we heard excellent pitches from various fields. Seeing university-based research transform into real business ideas shows the true potential of researchers and students to change the world. This is exactly what we need. These kinds of events are not only important regionally, but for Finland as a whole.”

Authors and organizers

For more information about the original event and related ecosystem activities, see the organizer websites.

Matti Laitinen matti.laitinen@savonia.fi
Parastoo Jalili parastoo.jalili@kuopio.fi
Juha-Matti Huusko juhamatti.huusko@navigatio.fi

Photos: Paula Turpeinen, Savonia Design Center

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