Aalto Creatives afterwork event on 27.8.2025 focuses on Aalto Creatives alumni stories and introducing the Aalto Creatives pre-incubator programme.
Call for Applications: Aalto Creatives pre-incubator programme starts in September
Join the Aalto Creatives afterwork and info session on 27.8.2025 to find out more about the open call and meet the Aalto Creatives team. At this event, alums from the pre-incubator will talk about their entrepreneurial journeys and share their experiences from participating in the AC programme.
Are you the next creative industry founder? Aalto Creatives pre-incubator programme helps creative industry startups flourish from idea stage to a company.
Aalto Creatives is a 12-week pre-incubator programme tailored for early-stage creative industry startups. Applications are accepted from individuals or teams, and applicants don't need previous business experience.
The programme is coordinated by and . This collaboration enables a unique approach to supporting creatives on their journey to becoming startup founders through blending business advisory services with creative industry expertise.
In the programme, participants develop their business ideas, connect with potential industry partners, iterate their business plans, identify potential customers, and strategize on how to attract them.
Special emphasis is placed on refining pitching skills to prepare for successful investor presentations. Each pre-incubator round ends in a Demo Day event where participants take the stage to introduce their companies.
The programme is aimed at students, researchers or practitioners with a relevant creative industry background. The selection criteria focuses on the business idea’s potential for further development, the solution it provides, and how it shapes a sustainable future.
The business idea can be in one of the following fields (but not limited to):
- Architecture
- AR/VR
- Arts
- Design
- Fashion
- Film and television
- Gaming
- Media
- Music
The programme is free of charge and doesn’t take any equity. Aalto Creatives is part of City of Helsinki’s Campus Incubators programme. The programme is run by Aalto Startup Center and Aalto Studios.
Please note, applicants must be residents of the Helsinki capital region. The programme is not available in remote or hybrid mode and applicants are required to participate in weekly workshops taking place on Aalto University campus in Otaniemi, Espoo, Finland.
Application period is currently open until 8.9.2025, the next pre-incubator starts on 29.9.2025.
We welcome everyone to join us at the Aalto Creatives afterwork and info session on 27.8.2025 at 15.00.
More from Aalto Creatives
Aalto Creatives launches Art & Tech Open Call '25 development grant for creative industry projects
The Art & Tech Open Call seeks applications from artists and creatives who are passionate about pushing the boundaries of what is possible with technology.
Join Aalto Creatives mailing list and be the first to receive information about open calls and events!
Read more news
Glitch artwork challenges to see art in a different light
Laura Könönen's sculpture was unveiled on 14 October at the Otaniemi campus.
A rap algorithm led him to research language models at Google DeepMind – now Eric Malmi returns ÄûÃʵ¼º½ as an adjunct professor
Eric Malmi received his PhD from Aalto University in 2018 with a dissertation that developed AI methods for linking historical records and family trees. At Google DeepMind he has developed Gemini language models and a chess AI. He returned to his alma mater because of ELLIS Institute Finland.
CEMS alum Maria Sangder: Having impact is a motivating principle that has underscored my career
She is Executive Director of UN Global Network Finland, Chairman of the Board of Fairtrade Finland and CEMSie of 2009 (NHH/Aalto)