Aalto Startup Center accelerates the growth and success of early-stage startups, particularly those with a focus on high-tech and sustainable innovations.
100STARTUPS
A series of events designed to turn your ideas into impact, beginning on August 26 and building up to the main event on October 21–22. Have you been sitting on a startup idea for ages? Is your computer full of half-baked business plans? Want to know if your idea is viable? Take action and join 100STARTUPS now.
In our events, we are committed É«É«À² University’s principles for a safer space.
In October, we bring together students, job seekers, creators, dreamers, and future founders to learn the right tools and methods to start building what you always wanted to bring to life.
You don’t need the perfect idea, you don't need a business degree, and you don't need founder experience! Just bring your curiosity and energy, meet ambitious people, share your ideas and get s*** done.
About the 100STARTUPS journey
What is 100STARTUPS?
100STARTUPS brings together bold and creative minds who dare to turn ideas into action.
Through hands-on masterclasses and expert guidance, participants will validate ideas, form teams, test business concepts, and build the foundations of new startups together. You don’t need experience, funding, or a ready business plan, just the courage to start.
We aim to validate 100 concepts throughout pre-event training sessions and workshops and the in-person two-day main event.
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future founders and current founders
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job seekers
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students
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Anyone exploring entrepreneurship
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Workshops and Talks: Practical, founder-first sessions led by operators and experts
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Demo Booths: Hands-on product showcases from 100+ startups and R2Bs
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Pitching: The stage for ambitious founders to meet investors and partners
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Investor Meetups: Curated sessions for VCs, angels, and CVCs
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Matchmaking: Speed meetings connecting startups, corporates, and talent
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Networking: Community mixers, campus tours, and side events
Full agenda released in September.
A Grid, Otakaari 5 A, 02150 Espoo - Aalto University Campus, Finland
is a leading Nordic startup hub with offices, makerspaces, and a vibrant community just 15 minutes by metro from Helsinki city center. The venue is wheelchair accessible.
100STARTUPS PRE-EVENTS
NETWORKING SESSIONS
September 22, 15:00 - 17:00: Teambuilding with Epic meets REGISTER HERE
WORKSHOPS
September 15, 09:00 - 14:00: Turn Your Logo into Professional Physical Branding Materials in One Day
September 18-19: MIMIR IPR Bootcamp
September 22, 09:00 - 14:00: Turn Your Logo into Professional Physical Branding Materials in One Day
October 15, 17:00 - 19:00: Build With Lovable
MASTERCLASSES
August 26, 10:00 - 11:00: Entrepreneurship ABC
September 2, 10:00 - 11:00: Starttiraha
September 9, 10:00 - 11:00: Business Finland funding opportunities for early-stage startups
September 16, 10:00 - 11:00: Legal responsibilities of an entrepreneur
September 23, 10:00 - 11:00: Accounting and payroll
September 30, 10:00 - 11:00: Banking solutions for startup companies
October 7, 10:00 - 11:00: Marketing & Branding
October 14, 10:00 - 11:00: EU Funding
100STARTUPS Program (October 21-22)
Check out the program for the main event, taking place at A Grid on October 21-22. Explore the booth area all days, featuring Business Espoo Advisors and ecosystem service providers ready to support your journey.
Get inspired, make connections, and turn ideas into action. Join 100STARTUPS.
*we are working on bringing you the best program possible, so changes might apply*
Check out the main event program for both days here!
Day 1 (October 21) - INSPIRATION
- Opening Ceremony
- Janne Laine (VP Innovation, Aalto University)
- Mervi Katainen (Chair, Espoo City Board)
- Samuli Pehkonen (CEO, Startup Foundation)  
- Election Panel
- Representatives from all parliamentary parties debate how Finland can accelerate research commercialization, create more deep-tech startups, and turn scientific breakthroughs into global impact.
- Pitching Competition & Startup Showcase
- Discover the next wave of startups as founders pitch live and demo their breakthroughs.
- Industry Ecosystem Showcase
- Meet the movers, shakers, and enablers powering our regional innovation landscape.
Day 2 (October 22) - ACTION
- Keynote Speakers
- Aape Pohjavirta (Co-Founder and CEO at Dragon Guild)
- Dr. Riikka Mäkikoskela (Head of Aalto Centre for Radical Creativity)
Workshops (running throughout the day)
- Aalto Inventors for Researchers - MJ Suh (Aalto Inventors)
- Turn research into real-world impact and IP-ready opportunities.
- Funding - Cameron Murphy (Aalto Startup Center)
- Navigate investors and smart capital strategies.
- Sales - Mike Bradshaw (Sampo Accelerator)
- Build a sales engine that closes deals and scales
- Omnia Makerspace - Get hands-on: prototype and create.
- Elevator Pitch: Prepare for SLUSH - Angeliki Papagiannopoulou
- Craft a crisp pitch that lands meetings and momentum.
- Team Building - Oliver Rotko (Aalto Startup Center)
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Form teams that move fast and win together.
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- AFTERPARTY (TBA)! Yes, wrap up with new friends and memorable conversations. Stay tuned for details.
See all 100STARTUPS events
100STARTUPS: Turn Your Logo into Professional Physical Branding Materials in One Day
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll see how a logo, sketch, or simple business idea can be transformed into professional physical branding materials using laser cutting and 3D printing.
100STARTUPS x A Grid Impact Series: Teambuilding with Epic meets
A chance to meet other founders and strengthen your team. You can share how your idea has evolved and find people to collaborate with. This session helps you move from ideas to real teams.
100STARTUPS Masterclass: Increasing company profits using smart accounting
A practical introduction to how startup finances work in real life.
100STARTUPS Masterclass: Banking solutions for startup companies
The purpose of this presentation is to explain how Nordea supports startup and growth companies through non-dilutive financing, investor network and cash management services.Contact us!
100STARTUPS is organized by
A Grid is home for nearly 150 ambitious startups and partners, and acts as a gateway to the university’s ecosystem of resources, talented students and cutting-edge research and infrastructure.
100STARTUPS Main Partners
100STARTUPS Partners
Collaborators
