International Angel Investors to Coach Startups for Funding Rounds in Jyväskylä

Nine startup companies will gather at Yritystehdas in Jyväskylä this May to sharpen their skills in securing funding from international investors. To support them, three experienced international angel investors will be on site to provide feedback on their business ideas and how they present them. Among the participating companies are four from Jyväskylä, working in areas ranging from shipbuilding to primary food production. 

Startups in Jyväskylä are being supported in building the capabilities needed to approach international angel investors for funding. This support is offered through the International Venture Academy program, now running for the sixth year in a row. 

“Startups have significant potential to contribute to the growth of Finland’s R&D spending, and their overall economic importance has increased. Most startups need external funding to scale, and the International Venture Academy helps them build the skills required to raise capital,” says Program Manager Nina Rautiainen from the City of Jyväskylä. 

The startups and scaleups selected for the International Venture Academy are typically seeking investments ranging from €200,000 to €1,000,000, or are preparing to expand into international markets. The angel investors visiting Jyväskylä will help refine the companies’ growth strategies, strengthen their investor pitches, and open doors to global networks. 

The Academy will culminate in a pitching competition where all nine companies will present their business to a panel of judges. The two top performers will advance to pitch their solutions to a wider audience of international investors at the Business Rally Investor Days event in Jyväskylä this July, held in conjunction with the annual rally. 

"Through the IVA program, RSD is scaling up to become the next Finnish maritime software success story — in a €1.5 billion global market," says Jussi Puurula of RSD, one of the participating companies. 

Previous participants have described the bootcamp as excellent preparation for crucial discussions with investors, as well as a valuable opportunity to build international connections. 

The program features guidance from experienced international mentors and angel investors Jean-Louis Brelet (Sophia Business Angels, EBAN, Entrepreneur Avenue), Audra Shallal (EBAN, Corenvest), and Marcel Dridje (EBAN, Sophia Business Angels, Entrepreneur Avenue). 

The participating companies from Jyväskylä are: 

RSD is an official Siemens technology partner and a frontrunner in shipbuilding FEM software development. In FEM analysis, a computer model of the ship’s hull is used to simulate and optimize structural performance already in the design phase. This ensures that vessels like the Icon of the Seas cruise ship meet even the most demanding structural requirements. RSD is involved in flagship shipyard projects in Finland and contribute to the international development of model-based ship approval through the OCX consortium. 

Lamit Oy is a Jyväskylä-based specialist in energy projects. Lamit improves the energy efficiency of businesses, housing companies, properties, and industries through energy planning services, creating the opportunity for significant savings in energy costs. Together, we can mitigate climate change through emissions accounting. Lamit´s patented innovations in energy storage elevate our services to a new level. 

IDiSS Industrial is revolutionizing industrial safety and productivity on a global scale. Their breakthrough replaces traditional safety isolation methods with a simple digital system that prevents human errors, speeds up work, and makes task tracking easier. The system is currently in trial use in large-scale industry, already delivering successful results and receiving positive feedback. 

Graani is a direct sale and purchasing tool developed by producers in your pocket. 
Graani offers a simple online tool that helps farmers sell their products directly to buyers. By shortening the long supply chain, the service supports local sustainability and more transparent food distribution. 

International Venture Academyssä lisäksi mukana: 

Antwerps Blauw (Belgium) 

Blocksport (Switzherland d) 

Coeur-Net (France) 

Coldins Oy (Lahti, Finland) 

EOD (Salo, Finland) 

The International Venture Academy will run from May 19th to 22nd. Read more: International Venture Academy -sijoittajaohjelma 

More information: 

Nina Rautiainen 

Program Manager, Innovation Ecosystem and Growth Business 

+358 50 4137 028 

nina.rautiainen@jyvaskyla.fi