Growth and incubation services

To support sustainable and responsible growth, there are sparring services and concrete programmes for the early stage, acceleration and scaling of the growth of the company. The initial ideas are refined into growing companies in the incubation services of the Jyväskylä Startup Factory. During the acceleration phase, finding partner networks for the company, increasing customer and market understanding or utilising research information and product and service development work may be pertinent. In the growth phase, the relevant questions may be about finding financing, new markets or issues related to the team and ownership, for example. In our partner network, you will find the right experts and growth programmes to support your company.

The Startup Factory’s incubation services

Jyväskylä Startup Factory is an incubator for start-ups aiming at growth and internationalisation, offering 24-month incubator training to selected companies. The Startup Factory supports startups in Jyväskylä that are looking for rapid growth and increases the entrepreneurial skills of the educational institutions in Jyväskylä. The company’s unique Performance Programme training focuses on ensuring the well-being and performance of the entrepreneur and the team during the steep growth phase. The Startup Factory offers support for the idea and product development phase, preparing for entrepreneurship, finding financing and growing the business idea itself.

The Startup Factory is owned by the Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences, the University of Jyväskylä and the City of Jyväskylä.

Go to the Startup Factory website

Kasvu Open’s Kasvupolku® sparring programmes

Free Kasvupolku sparring programmes are available for companies that want to grow and develop. Programmes are organised on different themes. Of the Kasvupolku programmes, Digital Health and Central Finland’s Kasvupolku are held in Jyväskylä.

From the Kasvupolku programmes, you will gain valuable contacts for your network and meet knowledgeable and inspiring sparring partners who will help you think ‘outside the box’. The themes of sparring vary from sales to management and digital development – always according to the needs of the companies themselves. Kasvu Open and Nordea are also organising the SUPERFINNS® programme for companies seeking international growth.

Learn more about Kasvu Open’s programmes (in Finnish)

Sparring services

Business clinics spar with SMEs in Jyväskylä on various themes, such as marketing, digitalisation, obtaining financing or clarifying their business plan. A free and company-specific business clinic provides an opportunity to delve into various business development opportunities. Business clinics are part of City of Jyväskylä’s growth services, which promote the competitiveness of companies through personal sparring, for example.

International Venture Academy Investor Programme

International Venture Academy is a week-long intensive investor programme for startups and scale-ups in the fields of health technology, artificial intelligence and cyber security, during which companies develop their financial readiness with experienced European angel investors. During the programme, companies will receive personal sparring and guidance to sharpen their own growth plan, develop their service and/or product offering, and create networks for international markets.

Seed Village -programmes

The programmes are an opportunity for personal meetings with experts, sparring partners, entrepreneurs and RDI actors in your own field. The programmes help to accelerate the research, development and innovation (RDI) activities of companies and expand their networks.

Expert services for growth and internationalisation

The Central Finland Chamber of Commerce offers a variety of expert services and high-quality training, from board work to sales and marketing for companies in the region. The Chamber of Commerce also provides support for foreign trade and internationalisation.

Read more from The Chamber of Commerce's website

Scalable and communal business premises

Scalable, communal and flexible office space options are an excellent option for different stages of growth. City of Jyväskylä’s location services help you find the right business premises and plots for your needs. If you want a workstation or a bigger office, you should take a look at the options available at Crazy Town, Digi & Game Center, Kielo and Jykia.

Ecosystems and value networks

The aim of Business Development Service’s ecosystem and value networking work is to bring together companies, organisations and educational and research institutions in the region, which together generate new expertise, innovations and business and increase the international competitiveness of Finland as a whole. Ecosystem work is carried out under the industry headings of physical activity, health promotion and well-being, and industry renewal.

Support for internationalisation

Furthermore, City of Jyväskylä’s internationalisation experts will help your company move forward in conquering new markets.

Finding talent and recruitment

You don’t need to work alone on the challenges that come with finding talent and recruiting. Through City of Jyväskylä’s employment services, you can find help and support for your recruitment needs.

Financing growth

There are various opportunities for financing growth, which City of Jyväskylä’s business advisors are happy to explain to you.