Do you have an idea for the sports or wellbeing sector? Get free sparring support
If you are developing a product or service related to sports, wellbeing or health, this opportunity is worth knowing about. The Sport Innovation Hub project offers companies free sparring support, networks and opportunities to test ideas in practice.
Central Finland is known as a strong hub for sports and physical activity expertise. The region brings together research organisations, sports development actors and a growing number of companies in the field. The Sport Innovation Hub project connects these strengths and helps new companies turn their ideas into business.
In the project, companies receive support from business development expert Pasi Teräväinen, who has nearly 30 years of experience in company development and supporting the growth of SMEs. The sports and research perspective is provided by Tomi Vänttinen, Senior Specialist at KIHU and a researcher in biomechanics.
According to Vänttinen, new innovations often emerge when people from different fields meet.
“Many of the best innovations appear when different worlds meet. Ideas develop quickly when companies, researchers and sports practitioners sit at the same table,” Vänttinen says.
The project has already reached dozens of companies in the sports, health and wellbeing sectors from different parts of Finland. Some participants are still at the idea stage, while others already have a product but are looking for new perspectives to develop it further.
Develop your idea with experts in a confidential setting
The project offers free support for companies in the sports, health and wellbeing sectors, and it is possible to join even at a very early stage.
“In fact, you do not even need a business ID yet. It is enough to have an idea for a product or service in these fields and want to discuss it with experts,” Teräväinen explains.
The project organises free workshops, sparring sessions and experiments where ideas and products are developed together with experts. Participants can discuss their ideas with specialists from business development, research and sports practice.
For companies, this multidisciplinary group of experts means they can receive feedback on their product or service from several perspectives. Discussions may focus on topics such as the target group, business model, product functionality or the next development steps. All discussions are confidential.
“Often a single discussion helps clarify what the next step should be in developing a product or service,” Teräväinen says.
Pasi Teräväinen and Tomi Vänttinen
Find partners and new opportunities through networks
Teräväinen and Vänttinen believe it is important that entrepreneurs, RDI experts and sports professionals meet and work together. For this reason, the project organises many open events where participants can network and get to know others in the field.
Companies involved in the project become part of a network that is constantly looking for new solutions for sports, physical activity and wellbeing. Networking can create many kinds of benefits, sometimes in unexpected ways.
“Many companies need the right testing environment or a research partner. In these kinds of meetings, those connections can often be found surprisingly quickly,” Vänttinen says.
For many companies, these contacts have been one of the most valuable outcomes of the project. Finding the right partners can significantly speed up the journey of a product or service towards the market.
Take the first step and join the free Pitching event
An easy way to get involved is to participate in a pitching event called Sport Pitchaamo. In the event, companies present their idea to an expert team and receive feedback as well as suggestions on what to do next.
You can join Pitchaamo already at the idea stage. Companies can also participate if they already have a product but are looking for new perspectives or opportunities to test it.
“It’s easy to get involved. If you have an idea or a solution related to sports, wellbeing or health, it is worth coming to discuss it. Often even one conversation can help move things forward,” Teräväinen says.
After Pitchaamo, companies can apply to Sparraamo, where experts provide concrete advice for developing the business idea further. The project also organises many other events, which can be explored on the project website.
Join the next Sport Pitchaamo and take your idea to the next level. You can register for one of the following events:
Register for Sport Pitchaamo – 24 March 2026
Register for Sport Pitchaamo – 12 May 2026
