{"id":16857,"date":"2026-01-28T15:44:51","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T13:44:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/?p=16857"},"modified":"2026-01-28T15:44:53","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T13:44:53","slug":"call-for-applications-aalto-creatives-pre-incubator-programme-spring-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/sv\/call-for-applications-aalto-creatives-pre-incubator-programme-spring-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Call for Applications: Aalto Creatives Pre-incubator Programme Spring 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Next pre-incubator programme starts in March. Call for applications closes on 9.2.2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns as-default-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column as-default-columns-main-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p style=\"padding-top:0.5rem;padding-bottom:0.5rem\">Are you the next creative industry founder? Apply to the Aalto Creatives pre-incubator programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Aalto Creatives is a 12-week pre-incubator that supports early-stage creative industry startups from concept to company. The programme welcomes individuals and teams, and no prior business experience is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/startupcenter.aalto.fi\/\"><strong>Aalto Startup Center<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/\"><strong>Aalto Studios<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;jointly run the programme. This collaboration blends business advisory with creative industry expertise to help participants develop entrepreneurial capabilities while staying true to their creative vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the programme, participants develop and validate their business ideas, identify target customers and plan how to reach them, iterate and strengthen their business model, and build connections with potential industry partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Special emphasis is placed on refining pitching skills to prepare for successful investor presentations. Each round culminates in a Demo Day where participants present their companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The programme is intended for students, researchers, and professionals with a relevant creative industry background. Selection focuses on the idea\u2019s potential for further development, the problem it solves, and its contribution to a more sustainable future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scope areas include but are not limited to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Architecture<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>AR\/VR<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Arts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Design<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fashion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Film and television<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gaming<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Media<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Music<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><br>The programme runs for 12 weeks in person, with mandatory weekly workshops on Aalto University campus in Otaniemi, Espoo, Finland.&nbsp;<strong>Applicants must be residents of the Helsinki capital region.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The programme is free of charge and no equity is taken. Aalto Creatives is part of the City of Helsinki Campus Incubators programme and is run by Aalto Startup Center and Aalto Studios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are ready to turn your creative vision into a sustainable business, Aalto Creatives can help you take the next step.<br>&nbsp;<br><strong>Application period is currently open until 9.2.2026, the next pre-incubator starts on 2.3.2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/link.webropolsurveys.com\/S\/5C337F2E1A3FAECB\"><strong>Link to application form<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/aalto.fi\/creatives\"><strong>Link to Aalto Creatives website<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column as-default-columns-sidebar is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aalto-studios-card-empty has-small-font-size has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"http:\/\/aalto.fi\/creatives\">Aalto Creatives<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The Aalto Creatives pre-incubator programme aims to support creative industry students, researchers, and practitioners in developing and launching their business ideas across all creative sectors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aalto-studios-card-empty has-small-font-size has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contacts<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-193 afmc_person type-afmc_person status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry tag-ari tag-conference tag-corporate tag-crm tag-events tag-festival tag-funding tag-gala tag-hackathon tag-international tag-kumppanuus tag-partner tag-partnership tag-party tag-relations tag-seminar tag-symposium productcategories-research-facilitation\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7d874bf9 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33%\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:1;\" class=\"aligncenter wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/sv\/people\/ari-kivimaki\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1568\" height=\"1568\" src=\"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Ari_crop-1568x1568.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Ari Kivim\u00e4ki\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Ari_crop-1568x1568.jpg 1568w, https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Ari_crop-512x512.jpg 512w, https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Ari_crop-256x256.jpg 256w, https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Ari_crop-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Ari_crop-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Ari_crop-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Ari_crop-1200x1200.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Ari_crop.jpg 1982w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1568px) 100vw, 1568px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><h5 class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/sv\/people\/ari-kivimaki\/\" target=\"_self\" >Ari Kivim\u00e4ki<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n<div class=\"aalto-person-detail-listing\">\n\t<div class=\"aalto-person-detail-listing__col\">\n\n\t\t<p class=\"aalto-person-detail-listing_title\">Events and Partnerships<\/p>\n\t\t<p class=\"aalto-person-detail-listing_email\">ari.kivimaki@aalto.fi<\/p>\n\t\t<p class=\"aalto-person-detail-listing_phone\"> +358 50 411 4141<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-6268 afmc_person type-afmc_person status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7d874bf9 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33%\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:1;\" class=\"aligncenter wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/sv\/people\/heidi-rintala\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1568\" height=\"1568\" src=\"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/03032022-Heidi_mv-001-1568x1568.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Heidi Rintala\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/03032022-Heidi_mv-001-1568x1568.jpg 1568w, https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/03032022-Heidi_mv-001-512x512.jpg 512w, https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/03032022-Heidi_mv-001-256x256.jpg 256w, https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/03032022-Heidi_mv-001-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/03032022-Heidi_mv-001-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/03032022-Heidi_mv-001-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/03032022-Heidi_mv-001-1200x1200.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/03032022-Heidi_mv-001.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1568px) 100vw, 1568px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><h5 class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/sv\/people\/heidi-rintala\/\" target=\"_self\" >Heidi Rintala<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n<div class=\"aalto-person-detail-listing\">\n\t<div class=\"aalto-person-detail-listing__col\">\n\n\t\t<p class=\"aalto-person-detail-listing_title\">Communications &amp; Impact Specialist for Aalto Creatives<\/p>\n\t\t<p class=\"aalto-person-detail-listing_email\">heidi.rintala@aalto.fi<\/p>\n\t\t<p class=\"aalto-person-detail-listing_phone\"><\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Next pre-incubator programme starts in March. Call for applications closes on 9.2.2026. Are you the next creative industry founder? Apply to the Aalto Creatives pre-incubator programme. Aalto Creatives is a 12-week pre-incubator that supports early-stage creative industry startups from concept to company. The programme welcomes individuals and teams, and no prior business experience is required. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":16858,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"wp-custom-template-single-post-with-custom-sidebar-and-custom-featured-image-aspect-ratio","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[669,349,401,1],"tags":[],"equipmentcategories":[],"facilitycategories":[],"productcategories":[],"class_list":["post-16857","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aalto-digital-creatives","category-arts","category-events-and-partnerships","category-news"],"acf":[],"mb":[],"cc_featured_image_caption":{"caption_text":"","source_text":"","source_url":""},"mfb_rest_fields":["title","cc_featured_image_caption"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/sv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16857","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/sv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/sv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/sv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/sv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16857"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/sv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16857\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16861,"href":"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/sv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16857\/revisions\/16861"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/sv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16858"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/sv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16857"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/sv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16857"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/sv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16857"},{"taxonomy":"equipmentcategories","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/sv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/equipmentcategories?post=16857"},{"taxonomy":"facilitycategories","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/sv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/facilitycategories?post=16857"},{"taxonomy":"productcategories","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studios.aalto.fi\/sv\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/productcategories?post=16857"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}