"I Begin with an idea, then it becomes something else."

Pablo Picasso

Hey student, we hope you join Kickstart - a business idea competition that brings together the students of the Oulu University of Applied Sciences, University of Oulu and OSAO!

The application period for the competition is now open 16.9.-30.10.2024.

kickstart competition

We want you to think of potential new businesses and share your new ideas in the Kickstart business idea competition!

Your team can win up to 1500€ + 1000€ just by pitching your business idea!

The Kickstart business idea competition is brought to you by Oulu University, OSAO and Oulu University of Applied Sciencess and students of all these academies can take part in the competition.

It provides you with a chance to develop your business idea, receive valuable feedback and get excited about entrepreneurship.

Apply either in Finnish or English, alone or in a team, or from any field of study.

Apply to your school’s competition, and from there you have the chance to progress to the Kickstart grand final! 

kickstart is a great way of beginning your own entrepreneurial journey, so don't stop there.

Check out what the whole Startup Oulu has to offer for you for your next steps after Kickstart. 

Special Award for a Business Idea Related to Health Technology

In this year’s competition, the OYSTER Incubator wants to present a special award for an innovative and feasible business idea related to health technology. This initiative aims to encourage students to develop future solutions for the healthcare industry. The OYSTER Incubator is a program developed by BusinessOulu, OuluHealth, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, and the University of Oulu, with the goal of creating new health and life science companies in the Oulu region. More information about OYSTER: https://ouluhealth.fi/oyster/