Karelia University of Applied Sciences organizes Karelia Entrepreneurship Expo on 25th of March 2026, in Wärtsilä Campus, Joensuu. We will showcase a unique selection of live company interviews and local best practices. All colleagues, students, and local representatives interested in entrepreneurship are welcome to join us!
Join us in this inspirational moment as we celebrate and honor the outstanding achievements of local entrepreneurs in Karelia Entrepreneurship Awards.
Event details:
Date: March 25, 2026
Time: 10-14
Location: Wärtsilä Campus, Joensuu
Event programme
| 10:00-10:10 | Opening words |
| 10:10-10:25 | Keynote |
| 10:30-10:50 | Entrepreneur panel discussion |
| 10:50-11:00 | Entrepreneur interview |
| 11:05-11:20 | Investor interview |
| 11:20-12:00 | Student pitching competition |
| 12:00-13:45 | International Expo |
| 12:00-13:45 | Workshops: to be published in January |
| 13:45 – 14:00 | Karelia Entrepreneurship Awards 2025 |
Are you a student with a fresh business idea? Apply now and join Karelia pitching competition!
Do you have the brightest business idea or startup innovation shaping the future of technology and business?
Become Karelia’s icon of luminous startup innovation and come to pitch your idea and convince the jury about your idea at Karelia Entrepreneurship Expo!
Karelia pitching competition is open for entries until January 31, 2026. Final and winner announcement on March 25, 2026: the finalists will pitch their innovations to the jury on stage of Karelia Entrepreneurship Expo.
This year we work together with Sohjo business event and the information & registration for the pitching competition is found at https://businessjoensuu.fi/en/sohjo/susicorn-startup-competition.
Interested in having an own stand to showcase your company or organization, and meet the students?
Take the opportunity to network and book a stand at the expo! Register here as an exhibitor:
https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/496FEBCC6874E1D8
Karelia NEXT podcast series is in Spotify!
How to start a start-up? Wondering what challenges new entrepreneurs are facing? How to start your own business as a student? In the Karelia NEXT podcast series in Spotify, international students of Karelia University of Applied Sciences are discussing entrepreneurial topics with the experts and entrepreneurs of our region.
Follow us and the expo preparations also on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok!
More information
Venue: Karelia University of Applied Sciences, Wärtsilä campus, Karjalankatu 3, Joensuu, Finland
For further information, please contact Varpumaria Jeskanen, varpumaria.jeskanen(at)karelia.fi
The event is organized in collaboration with Talent Hub Eastern Finland, INVEST European University Alliance, Monikulttuuriset opintopolut project, Entrepreneurial competence and skills project and students of Karelia UAS International Business program.
