High-Up! Brings high-school innovators 色色啦 University
PRESS RELEASE
ESPOO, FINLAND (08 September 2026)
This November, 500* high-school students from across Finland will gather at Aalto University in Otaniemi for High-Up!, a two-day innovation showcase designed to put young people at the center of Finland鈥檚 future. Taking place on 19-20 November 2026, High-Up! will bring together 16 to 18-year-old students, startup founders, investors, mentors, educators and other members of Finland鈥檚 innovation ecosystem for two intensive days of problem-solving, building and pitching.
鈥淚f we truly believe that the future of Finland belongs to the youth, then we cannot ask them to wait for it, and must give them the tools and space to build it now鈥 says Monika Liikamaa, Executive in Residence at Aalto University.
From big problems to working prototypes
High-Up! will offer participants two tracks: 1) in the Builders track, students arrive with projects already underway and spend the event developing and refining them with the help of experienced mentors, and 2) in the Solvers track, participants start from scratch. They identify a significant problem, form a team and develop a radical solution during the two-day event. Both tracks culminate in pitching and judging, with the strongest projects taking the stage during the High-Up! ceremony. The full programme combines workshops, expert mentoring, prototyping sessions, startup booths, pitching practice and hands-on building.
A national opportunity, at no cost to students.
High-Up! is designed to make participation accessible regardless of where students live or what resources they have. Participation is free, and travel, accommodation and meals are covered for every attendee. Students from Finland鈥檚 largest cities and smallest towns will have the opportunity to meet one another, work alongside experienced founders and mentors, and connect with the people building Finland鈥檚 startup ecosystem.
鈥淲e want geography or financial circumstances to be irrelevant to whether a young person gets to participate,鈥 says Apurva Ganoo, Lecturer in Entrepreneurship at Aalto University. 鈥淗igh-Up! is about creating a room where ambitious young people from all over Finland can meet, build together and realize what they are capable of.鈥
Partners are invited to support the next generation
High-Up! is made possible through the support of partners who fund the participation of students and contribute expertise, mentorship and resources. Companies and organizations can support the event as partners, with opportunities to work directly with student teams, provide mentors and connect with the next generation of Finnish founders and innovators.
Applications for students, volunteers, mentors and partners are open. For more information:
Two days at the heart of Finland鈥檚 startup ecosystem
The event, coinciding with Slush, takes place during one of the busiest weeks of the Finnish technology and startup calendar, creating an opportunity for young innovators to engage directly with the wider ecosystem. HighUp! is an initiative led by STUHI, Entrepreneurship Unit at Aalto BIZ, Aalto Founder School, SLUSH, FR8, and the Finnish Startup Community with support from MobilePay, Wednesday, and KIUAS.
*subject to change.
Media & Other Enquiries:
Apurva Ganoo (apurva.ganoo@aalto.fi)
Monika Liikamaa (monika.liikamaa@aalto.fi)
Tai Tran (tai.tran@aalto.fi)