Urban Tech Helsinki supports start-ups developing sustainable urban solutions
Urban Tech Helsinki is an incubator looking for clean and sustainable urban solutions. The incubator aims to support innovative and high-growth companies that solve urban challenges. The operations are focused on clean energy, mobility, sustainable construction, circular economy/waste management and urban food production. Through Urban Tech Helsinki, the City of Helsinki wants to attract experts and businesses to the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and support and accelerate the creation and early growth of new startups, especially research-driven ones. Now, the Urban Tech Helsinki incubator has started with another round of 11 start-ups.
Eleven new start-ups participating in the incubator were able to present themselves and hear each other’s business ideas at the launch event in Maria 01 at the end of March. These events are an important part of the Urban Tech Helsinki concept, as they enable peer learning and support the sharing of business experiences.
Urban Tech Helsinki starts with an 8-week intensive period of workshops and group trainings. They cover the key elements of start-ups, such as business modelling, the impact of sustainability, team building, communication and, of course, finance. Another essential part is the individual coaching meetings with the advisers of the Aalto University team that runs the practical operations of the incubator.
“The Urban Tech Helsinki incubation period lasts 1–3 years, depending on the needs of the company, to provide early-stage companies with sufficient time to develop their business and test their solutions together with the City of Helsinki’s Testbed and partner network. This makes us a unique player in the startup scene,” says Kaisa Ahonen, Project Manager of the incubator at the Aalto Startup Center.
See the companies of the second round of the Urban Tech Helsinki incubator
The next companies will have started in the incubator in March 2022:
100 Thousand Million designs processes that will allow cities to consume only a third of their current energy and water use.
Bloft Design Lab develops large 3D printers and enables the recycling of plastics through additive manufacturing.
Detectium models a digital twin that improves indoor safety and functionality.
Eeneman Oy uses artificial intelligence to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.
HeyCharge is developing a technology that can be used to increase the charging capacity of electric cars in parking garages.
IOVuo provides positioning technology and digitalisation systems for the maritime industry.
Locia Solutions Oy provides digital tools for urban planning.
Metagrow designs advanced water and nutrient distribution systems for plants.
Parkly provides spatial planning services and digital tools for the design and visualisation of public spaces.
Sanitation360 converts urine into dry fertiliser, thereby preventing water pollution and allowing for easier circulation of wastewater and nutrients.
Urban Radar helps cities reduce carbon emissions in urban freight transport.
Helsinki wants to be Europe’s leading platform for innovative businesses
The aim of Helsinki is to be Europe’s leading platform for experimentation and innovation in business by 2025. The city also wants to develop business environments, promote employment for the residents of Helsinki and enable sustainable and knowledge-based economic growth. The Urban Tech Helsinki incubator contributes to all of these objectives.
The Urban Tech Helsinki incubator is a partner of Aalto University, the University of Helsinki and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
Read more about the Urban Tech Helsinki incubator
Photo: Urban Tech Helsinki