References

Iispro Oy is a startup company founded in April 2022 that makes and develops applications and sells expert services.
“We received invaluable help in business development and sparring in the development financing, measures and schedule. From the discussions we got new perspectives that we might not have thought of ourselves. The advice we received was patient and professional. We got answers to the questions we asked quickly and it was easy to agree on joint schedules.”
CEO Mari Pirkkala, Iispro Oy


Marginum’s technology promotes the effectiveness of cancer surgeons with monitoring techniques that detect tissue fluorescence. Our vision is to create a leading company producing fluorescence spectrum analysis solutions in surgery.
We participated in the Draft program, from which our team won €4,000 to promote our business. The company was founded only after the Draft program.
Business Center’s advice on starting a business was invaluable. In addition, the tips received regarding suitable funding agencies were relevant. The Business Centers contact networks have also been helpful in identifying various networking events. We are very satisfied with our company.
Samu Lehtonen, CEO & Co-Founder


Business Center Pohjois-Savo was involved in creating the first social entrepreneurship accelerator pilot in Pohjois-Savo and all over Finland in cooperation with the The Centre of Expertise. The pilot was implemented online from February 8, 2023 to March 8, 2023.
“Ultimately, the success of the accelerator is about people. What kind of atmosphere, the spirit of doing things, the culture of trust and frankness they create together.
The role of the facilitator is of course important and this is where the team at Business Center Pohjois-Savo knows their stuff. They inspire and challenge with their relaxed, humane and expert approach.”
Tom Tarvainen, ohjelmajohtaja, Arvoliitto

Betomo develops methods based on electronic imaging for monitoring the drying of concrete at construction sites.
Our research group has investigated the imaging of moisture in concrete using electronic imaging. Thus, the business idea is the commercialization of my research topic.
The most important gift I received from the Business Center was the enthusiasm to actually implement the business idea through the sparring sessions and discussions. With Tomi’s guidance, I also got my pitch in such good shape that I won the Tahko Ski Lift Pitch student series with it, and I came second in the *ship startup festival’s pitch competition.
Petri Kuusela, CEO/Founder
Betomo


We got a really good business plan, which became a tool for the management team, and it is included in our daily work.
Joni Kapanen, CEO


NOETON is developing a solution to reduce particle emissions from small wood burning. Our vision is to make combustion more environmentally friendly and thus help in the fight against climate change.
I had an idea and a prototype of a device that had been developed at the University of Eastern Finland as part of my dissertation research. My co-founder and I had decided to start working on the idea as a company and our first step was to participate in the Draft program.
From the Draft programs, we received initial capital to establish a company and financial help, e.g. to improve the company’s visual appearance. In addition, we got sparring, good contacts in the local business support network and, of course, valuable experience in pitching.
Heikki Suhonen, CEO


Kuopio Oheisharjoitelukeskus offers a high-quality and versatile training space with equipment for use by different sports and exercisers.
The cooperation with the LEAP growth program started from the center’s business analysis by thinking together about where we are in the company and where we are going. “I am really satisfied. Business gets new ideas. This is surely how we can develop this company of ours. We are well on our way to doing this thing.”
Jarmo Malinen, CEO


“We have received a lot of help in the different stages of our company’s development from Business Center’s sparring sessions. It has been important for us to be able to brainstorm new business ideas together with competent experts. From Business Center, we have received confirmation, encouragement and suitable challenges to develop operations. In addition, it is inspiring to get to know the Business Center’s wide and versatile network and get involved with a low threshold.”


“Our Tiimihenki group had the pleasure of participating in the LEAP development project. We are a young operator and the development project came at just the right time for us. With the help of Lauri and Jarmo’s concrete advice, our operations have started to grow nicely. We have established our place as a national operator among other educational institutions. Based on the development ideas, our operating concept became even clearer and we will be more successful. Thank you BC, LEAP ja Jarmo & Lauri 🙂”
Tiimihenki
Jukka-Tapio Keränen
CEO


Toimisto2030 enlightens companies and communities on the development of value-based responsibility through service design and future work. The vision is to promote action towards a sustainable future according to Agenda2023.
I got sparring from Matti and the Havuja program before starting my company. From the advice, I got confirmation to carry ideas about entrepreneurship forward, as well as a challenge to put into words the benefit produced for the customer.
The collaboration was important, because perhaps the biggest threshold was taking action! Entrepreneurship is learned by doing, but the courage to start requires encouragement.
Silja Huttunen, Oivalluttaja, service designer, CEO


The mission of Nanoscale Oy is to develop smart ECO boards for humidity control with advanced nanotechnology. The ECO boards have the unique features of automatic control of humidity, no electricity consumption, maintenance free, formaldehyde free, zero carbon emission, a long lifetime (>30 years), and mildew-proof.
We attended entrepreneurship training of Bootcamp and participated Draft Program. With the 4000 € financial support, we have successfully developed the prototypes of ECO boards and registered the company of Nanoscale Oy.
The Business Center provides very helpful entrepreneurial services. The specialists in the Center actively help start-ups to establish networks and connect various resources for business development.
Wujun Xu, CEO and Co-Founder
