We support startups in pretty much all areas related to founding a company. Although the programs are built around topics that are common for any startup, our coaches can help on industry-specific matters as well.

Here's a list of some of the topics from the past few programs:

• Idea validation
• Product development
• Go-to-market strategy
• Launching
• Pricing
• Sales
• Scaling
• Fundraising
• Legal
• Growth hacking
• Marketing
• Branding & design
• Hiring
• IPR
• Internationalization

• We take zero equity and the programs are free of charge. How?
• We embrace the "from founder to founder" -mentality. We make sure that the people helping our startups have actually built successful companies themselves.
• Content-wise, we aim to stick to topics that truly move the startups forward. Instead of perfecting your pitch and making you look like you succeed, we want you to actually succeed by focusing intensively on customers and product.
• We have a pretty unique position in the scene. Unlike VCs and commercial accelerators, our success is not based on the financial success of the startups accepted, thus we can help founders in their earliest stages. It really doesn't matter how early you are.
• We are well-connected. Our broad network consists of entrepreneurs, investors, clients, talent, and all the relevant players within the Finnish startup ecosystem.
• Our participants constanly give the programs an average rating of >9.5/10.
• Kiuas is founded and ran by students.

Not directly from us - however, Kiuas has a broad network of both VCs and angel investors that our startups can easily get to meet during the programs.

We and our alumni are also happy to help with understanding the fundraising fundamentals and different sources of public funding.

The organization behind Kiuas is operating on a not-for-profit basis and is supported by various partners and other organizations. Furthermore, all of our activities are heavily based on "giving back" -mentality; e.g. our coaches are involved completely pro bono.

Kiuas was founded in 2017 on the legacy of Summer of Startups, which has been organized by Aalto Entrepreneurship Society since 2010. Nowadays, Kiuas is operated as an independent legal entity.

Our core team consists of four people. The startups are supported by our 100+ coaches, some of which are highlighted here.

Kiuas (in English: a stove) is a central and key part of a Sauna. Kiuas is the furnace that generates the heat. It makes the Sauna hot.

Our programs are meant for any early-stage startups from all industries. Most of our startups are based in Finland but we may, occasionally, accept foreign startups into the programs as well.

If you have trouble figuring out if you should apply to Kiuas, shoot us a message and let’s have a chat! Even if applying is not relevant for you at the moment, we are always eager to meet new founders and see if we can help in some way.

Prior to each program, we run a 1-2 month application period during which startups can apply online.

After the application period, we typically invite a part of the applicants for interviews in order to hear more and meet in person.

In Start, the focus is on validating your idea, building the early versions of your product, and securing your first customers. We don’t require a registered company nor a full-time founding team - no idea is too early. However, you can also be more towards the Accelerator-stage (already launched, full-time team etc.) in case you feel the program could bring value to you.

In Accelerator, the focus is on further topics such as product-market-fit, market entry, growth, sales, scaling up, and fundraising. You should have already built a somewhat functional version of your producy, gained some validation, and the majority of the founding team should be working full-time.

Having trouble to decide on the right program for you? Please shoot us a message and we can together discuss which one suits you better.

Yes! Kiuas Start alumni often proceed to the Kiuas Accelerator program. One recent example is Nyxo, which participated in both programs in 2019. However, a normal application procedure is required.

We select 15-20 teams to each batch of Start and Accelerator.

Please do!

However, in that case, make sure you're capable of building/creating the first solution (prototype/MVP) of your idea yourself (and not lacking a developer, for example).

You can also use our online platform Kiuas Inside to look for co-founders for your project!

Sure. Not a big deal if you let us know well ahead.

Our programs take place in the Startup Sauna co-working space in Otaniemi, Espoo, Finland. We share the space with Aaltoes, Junction & Startuplifers and a handful of startups.

You can find more info about the space here. Feel free to drop by!

In Start, the sessions take place during evenings and weekends.

In Accelerator, the sessions take place mostly on weekdays and inside normal working hours.

In both programs, we organize coaching sessions on 3-4 days each week, consisting of either 1-on-1 mentoring, workshops, talks, weekly meetings, or other program.

Overall, the programs are intensive but the focus should be on working on your startup.

Yes. At least one member from the founding team should be present.

For sure. Each week typically consists of a total of 7-8 hours of program, divided into 3-4 days.

Furthermore, we aim to always tailor as much of the program as possible for each startup individually, so that it will fit everyone's specific needs.

Yes! You're free to continue using the Startup Sauna co-working space and keep your 24/7 keycard as well.

We are also able to offer office rooms for alumni startups.

We typically meet with each startup 1-2 times during the following months to discuss any help needs and reflect back on the program.

Furthermore, our alumni get invited to our Kiuas Slack community which they can then use to get in touch with over 200 other Kiuas alumni founders.

In general, we are eager to help with anything - whether it’s an intro to a client or an investor, helping with finding talent to join your team, or just wanting to test new ideas with someone!

• All common sessions – talks, workshops, and roundtables – are organized via interactive Zoom webinars.

• 1-on-1 mentorings and weekly meetings with the other startups are organized via regular video meetings via Zoom & Google Hangouts.

Based on our experiences with our first-ever virtual program, Kiuas Start Spring '20, it really isn't. Since all sessions and perks can be arranged virtually, no major benefits of the program will be lost.

Of course, the social aspect of the program – meeting the other startups face-to-face – is reduced, but we compansate this with increased virtual meetings between the other startups in the batch.

No – all the same benefits will be offered regardless of whether the program takes place physically or virtually.

Coaching – All mentorings talks, and workshops during the program are arranged via interactive video meetings and webinars.

Working Space – As soon as the Startup Sauna working space opens again, the access will granted to those startups that wish to have it.

Alumni Community – Apart from a couple of alumni gatherings, all other activities and our alumni Slack community remain unchanged.

Tools – The entire $350k worth of tools in Kiuas Toolbox can be accessed normally.