About Health Incubator Helsinki
Health Incubator Helsinki is a unique three-year comprehensive incubator program for research based startups operating in the health sector in Finland and abroad. The program was initiated in 2019 by the City of Helsinki and the University of Helsinki to drive the transformation of health innovation, research findings and expertise into international business, and to attract new talent and companies to Helsinki, Finland. Health Incubator Helsinki is embedded in a wider collaborative health ecosystem spanning the Helsinki capital region and the new Nordics and is supported by a broad network of healthcare industry experts, entrepreneurs and investors.
Achievements
50
Startups
40
Mil eur funding raised
32
Innovative products developed
25
Patent families
15
Advisors
150+
Organisations and VC in our network
30+
Webinars / lectures organized annually
15
Alumni’s
What we offer
Each team selected to the program will receive individually tailored coaching and mentoring as well as access to comprehensive services, from test beds to business and finance support. The teams will join the health sector startup community and are provided with modern office and coworking facilities in Helsinki. Over the course of the program the teams will get valuable opportunities to network with investors, established healthcare industry experts, innovative entrepreneurs and advisors.
Apart from a minor fee for the office space the incubator services are free for the participants. The incubator does not take any equity in the companies.
FAQ
1. What are the benefits of joining Health Incubator Helsinki? / Why should I apply to Health Incubator Helsinki?
Health incubator helsinki provides up to three years of comprehensive business development services customised based on the individual needs of each selected team to maximise the odds of success. HIH does not take any equity nor invest in the startups.
- Tailored coaching and mentoring to meet the needs of each team.
- Comprehensive services from test beds to business support.
- Office and coworking space in Terkko Health Hub located in Helsinki.
- Opportunities to network with investors, established healthcare industry experts, innovative entrepreneurs and advisors.
2. Who can apply?
Health Incubator Helsinki is targeted to early stage startups focused on diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and life sciences, as well as related digital and deep tech solutions.
To be considered, your startup or team should match the following:
- at least two founders
- solves a clearly defined, preferably broad problem area within the scope
- a business idea based on an innovative technology or concept
- preliminary implementation strategy for the business idea
- a scalable product or service that can become an international success story (existing prototype is an advantage)
- A company has been established. Exemptions can be made depending on the overall status of the project and provided that the team has the readiness to establish a company within 1- 3 months of acceptance into the program
3. What does a typical week in the Health Incubator Helsinki program look like?/ How many hours a week do I need to commit to the program?
A typical week concist of in average 1 webinar/ lecture per week. Once the initial part of the program that last for 2 months is over we aim to tailor the content to target the needs of each company. In addition there will be one-to-one meetings with the incubator team each month or more frequently according to the needs. On average, 1-2 days a month should be reserved for the webinars and meetings.
4. Do I need to register my company in Finland to be accepted into Health Incubator Helsinki? / Do I need to be located in Finland to be accepted into Health Incubator Helsinki?
When selecting the teams, we prefer applicants having a registered company in Finland or applicants having at least part of the team already present in Finland with an intension to register a limited company in the Metropolitan-Helsinki area within 3 months of acceptance into the program.
5. What does the "up to 3 years" mean in practice?
During the three-year program, all the incubators services will be actively provided to build the teams’ business. The content of the services are webinars, workshops, One-to-one meetings, and are tailored as the teams’ business develops.
After three years, companies that have participated in the program will become alumni members. Alumnies are still welcomed to participate in the webinars and events. We are also encouraging the alumnies to act as mentors and share best practices to the new teams and HIH community.
6. When is the next call?
The next call will open in February 2024. Each year 10 new teams/start-ups will be selected to the programme. More information will be provided in spring 2024 on our website.
7. What is the application process for a startup incubator program?
Applications for the programme will be submitted through a web form to be published in February 2024 on HIH www page. The teams that meet the criterias are invited for an interview in March. After interviews, experts from the Health Incubator Helsinki incubator will select the teams to be accepted into the programme. The whole process takes about 4 weeks. The new teams will start in the program in April.
8. How competitive/ difficult is it to be accepted into the HIH program?
The number of teams that have applied and been accepted into the Health Incubator Helsinki programme has varied from year to year. On average 1/3 of the applicants are accepted into the programme.
9. Do startup incubator programs provide office space and co-working space?
Yes. Health Incubator Helsinki offers teams both office rooms and co working space in the Terkko Health Hub. The office rooms are company-specific. There are a limited number a office rooms available. Renting an office room or co-working space is voluntary. Terkko is located in the Meilahti Hospital Campus area at Haartmaninkatu 4, 00290 Helsinki- Building 14. More info: www.terkko.fi
About Helsinki Metropolitan health ecosystem
Welcome to one of the most exciting locations in the world for healthcare development!
When you’re starting a business, you need to be where the talented people are. When it comes to health, Helsinki Metropolitan area has a lot to offer. A connected ecosystem of a world-class healthcare system with research universities, hospitals and facilities, and a vibrant startup scene. All this makes Helsinki an excellent environment for building life-changing and life-saving health innovations. Currently, there are about 550 health startups in Finland, of which about 100 are located in the Helsinki Metropolitan. The strong and active health ecosystem is also a great platform for collaboration and partnerships.
