Working on an idea, building a prototype, or already developing an MVP?
Kiuas Start is a 4-week program composed of 1-on-1 mentoring, intensive working, invaluable perks, and peer support β aiming to help you validate your idea, secure your first customers, and push your progress to the next level.
The program is completely free and zero-equity.
More about the program βAlumni startups of Kiuas Start
AVG rating from all participants
Would recommend to a friend
Instead of spending 4 weeks on polishing your pitch and fiddling your brand visuals, we've structured the program around the most fundamental topics for any early-stage startup β customers, product and internationalization.
The program is designed to help and provide skills for early-stage startups to solve a real-world problems related to SDGs. We want you to succeed in rapid growth alongside an international mindset starting from day ONE.
day
Afternoon
(16/17β)
Evening
Mon
16
/
3
Mon
23
/
3
Tue
24
/
3
Tue
31
/
3
Thu
2
/
4
1-on-1 discussions with experienced founders, investors, and industry experts.
Interactive, hands-on sessions on various fundamental topics.
Regular group meetings with other founders to discuss learnings, challenges, and goals.
Intensive 24-hour sprints. Develop your product or service and get a lot of stuff done at once.
Founders at this stage rarely do their startup full-time. That's why a typical week will only consist of the most essential sessions to support your growth and we will primarily be working in the afternoons.
Monday
16:00-20:00
Weekly meetings | 1h
Tuesday
16:00-20:00
(Optional) Workshop | 1,5h
Wednesday
16:00-20:00
Workshop | 1,5h
Thursday
16:00-18:00
1-on-1 Mentoring | 2x45min
Friday
Free of program
Best support out there
100+ top Nordic entrepreneurs, investors, and experts to guide your startup on any challenges you may be facing.
Meet our coaches βFree working space - 24/7
1500mΒ² of reservable office spaces, meeting rooms, phone booths, and an event space to use during the program and forever after that.
Explore the space β$350k of free services
Numerous cloud, analytics, and marketing tools from the top service providers β exclusively only for Kiuas startups.
Kiuas Toolbox βInvaluable connections
Access to potential partners, investors, and talent - with the help of the community support of over 250 Kiuas alumni.
Meet our alumni βHow does the coronavirus affect Kiuas programs?
All our future Start and Accelerator programs will be organized regardless of the COVID-19 situation.
Kiuas Start Spring 2020 and Kiuas Accelerator 2020 have both been fully virtual.
In which areas can Kiuas help?
General
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:
How does Kiuas differ from other accelerators?
General
Do startups receive funding from Kiuas?
General
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.
How is this all free?
General
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.
What and who is behind Kiuas?
General
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.
What does Kiuas mean?
General
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.
Who can apply to Kiuas programs?
Applying
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 letβs 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.
How does applying to Kiuas work?
Applying
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.
Should our startup apply for Start or Accelerator?
Applying
In Start, the focus is on validating your idea, building the early versions of your product, and securing your first customers. We donβt 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.
Can our startup apply to both of the programs?
Applying
How many startups are selected?
Applying
We select 15-20 teams to each batch of Start and Accelerator.
Iβm working on my startup alone, can I apply?
Applying
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!
What if I'm not able to attend a session? Can I still apply?
Applying
Sure. Not a big deal if you let us know well ahead.
Where do the programs take place?
Programs
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!
What does a typical program week look like?
Programs
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.
Is physical attendance required?
Programs
Yes. At least one member from the founding team should be present.
Do I have enough time to work on my startup during the program?
Programs
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.
Can we use the space after the program?
Programs
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.
What happens after the program?
Programs
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 itβs 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!
How are all the sessions organized during a virtual program?
COVID-19
Is a virtual program less beneficial than a normal one?
COVID-19
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 β meeting the other startups face-to-face β is reduced, but we compansate this with increased virtual meetings between the other startups in the batch.
Will the perks change in the case of a virtual program?
COVID-19
No β all the same benefits will be offered regardless of whether the program takes place physically or virtually.
Coaching β All mentorings talks, and workshops during the program are arranged via interactive video meetings and webinars.
Working Space β As soon as the Startup Sauna working space opens again, the access will granted to those startups that wish to have it.
Alumni Community β Apart from a couple of alumni gatherings, all other activities and our alumniΒ Slack community remain unchanged.
Tools β The entire $350k worth of tools in Kiuas Toolbox can be accessed normally.