Eight teams took part in the 13-week creative industry pre-incubator program during the autumn semester. Business advisors and creative industry experts coached the teams in developing and protecting their business ideas, expanding their networks and pitching their projects to different audiences.
The Aalto Digital Creatives pre-incubator aims to serve the creative industries with a wide scope which is represented in the variety of business ideas accepted into the program. On the second round of the pre-incubator, among the ideas were a product placement software, a biodegradable bubble wrap, a co-creative design tool, a platform for sustainable film production, an application for pet owners, a platform for sharing XR content, an interactive modular hub for enhancing wellbeing and a fashion label which protects cultural heritage.
One of the participants Jane Vita, the founder of the Service Sandbox, outlined that the three most valuable things for her in the program were the support from the coaches, the tactical and strategic lectures on what to consider in your business and the opportunity to meet others who share the experiences of the journey towards entrepreneurship.
“Becoming an entrepreneur is a solo decision, but you do have support and many opportunities to make it happen. Joining a community is a great step!” Says Jane Vita when she is asked what her greetings are to those who might be thinking of applying to the Aalto Digital Creatives program.
To build networks and spread awareness about the pre-incubator, the Aalto Digital Creatives program produces a seminar series together with the Creative Technologies research community and actively collaborates with other events across campus. One of the event collaborations is the Media Lab Demo Day. This year’s Winter Demo Day gave the pre-incubator teams a valuable opportunity to pitch their business ideas on stage.
The next Aalto Digital Creatives pre-incubator program starts on the 14th of March 2023. The application period is open from the 1st of January until the 14th of February 2023. Applications are encouraged from teams or individuals who have an idea for business and a background in the creative industries.
Aalto University is one of seven higher education institutions which form the extended network of campus incubators. The Campus Incubators program is supported by the City of Helsinki and its focus is on strengthening Helsinki’s role as a supporter of innovation-led entrepreneurship. In Aalto University the program is coordinated by Aalto Startup Center and Aalto Studios.
Apply to the program on the Aalto Digital Creatives website.
Contact:
Ari Kivimäki
Events and Partnerships | Aalto Studios
ari.kivimaki@aalto.fi
The application period for the Aalto Digital Creatives pre-incubator program is open until 14.2.2023. To apply you need an idea for a business and a background in the creative industries.
The Art & Tech Gala showcases productions from the winning teams of the Art & Tech Open Calls 2020-2022.
This autumn’s creative industry pre-incubation started on the 27th of September.
