Uniarts Hub offers support for developing art-based business ideas
In the fall semester 2026 Uniarts Helsinki’s pre-incubator programme offers information and support for developing entrepreneurship skills and serves as a test platform for artists’ and arts students’ business ideas. The application period for the programme 4.–20.8.2026.
Are you a creative or arts professional, producer or intermediary, who is planning to set up a business? Do you want information about starting and running a company? Apply to Uniarts Hub pre-incubator program.
The pre-incubator is designed for you if you have a business idea or an early-stage concept. In the free 12-week programme, you will receive support to clarify, test, and develop your idea. The programme includes lectures, workshops, mentoring, and peer support.
The incubator program is free of charge but minimum of 80% attendance is required. In Helsinki student participants receive 8 ECTS credits from the program. In Helsinki, the language of instruction is English. Previous studies at Uniarts Helsinki are not required.At the same time a pre-incubator is also being organized in Seinäjoki. Read more about the Seinäjoki implementation in Finnish.
Schedule
- Fall 2026 pre-incubator takes place 14.9.–4.12.2026.
- On-site meetings on Tuesdays (Helsinki 16.00–18.00, Seinäjoki 14.00–16.00)
- Online lectures (Zoom) on Thursdays 9.00–11.00
- Mentoring for those who need it
- Weekly assignments
- At the end of the programme participants pitch their ideas to experts
Themes covered
- Business planning
- Establishing a company
- Entrepreneurial identity
- Customer experience
- Brand
- Sales and marketing
- Product development
- Copyright
- Funding pathways
- Pitching skills
- Foresight
Want to know more?
We are organizing an information session about the pre-incubator on Zoom on Thursday 6.8. at 10:00. At the end of the session, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions. Please register by Wednesday 5.8. so that we can send you the link to the session. The language of the event is English.
How to apply
The application period for fall semester Uniarts Hub is open 4.–20.8.2026. Applications to the program are submitted through the Open University of the Uniarts Helsinki registration system. Degree students of the University of the Arts Helsinki or those studying with a continuous right to study apply to the program in Peppi. Applications will be supplemented with interviews, which will be held in Helsinki on Tuesday 25.8. 9-17 and on Wednesday 26.8. 9-15. We will inform those selected during week 35.
More information
By phone at the following times:
Monday 10.8.2026, 15-17, Thursday 13.8.2026, 10-11 and on Tuesday 18.8. 14-15.
+358 50 355 1036 (Riitta Huttunen)
Riitta Huttunen
Lecturer, Open Campus University of the Arts Helsinki
riitta.huttunen@uniarts.fi
Jyri Partanen
Specialist, Open Campus University of the Arts Helsinki
jyri.partanen@uniarts.fi