Visitors
Network with our startups, mentors, and other visitors and explore our Showroom!
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*ship Startup Festival
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THE event for starting entrepreneurs!
*ship Startup Festival has been THE startup event for all entrepreneurs and early-stage startups since 2015. The event consists of two main days:
- the mentor program and
- the pitch captain competition.
The winner of the Pitch Captain Competition will earn the title and the final prize 10 000€! 2nd place will be rewarded 3000€ and 3rd place 2000€. The best startup from South Kymenlaakso will also be rewarded 2000€.
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our partners
*SHIP STARTUP FESTIVAL IN MAY 2023!
Welcome on the 4th and 5th of May to Kotka Steam Brewery!
*ship Startup Festival is a unique platform for early-stage startups and people interested in entrepreneurship. It is also a valuable learning environment for Xamk students!
You have the possibility to join our *Pitch Captain Competition, take part as a mentor to consult our competing startups as well as visitors, or to just enjoy the event and its program.
Alongside our famous competition we offer Workshops to make sure that startups get the support necessary to achieve the best results at the event. We also offer the chance to join our Showroom where designers can market their practice.
In case you have a team or idea that you are ready to showcase, test and get feedback from industry experts, * ship is the right place for you. All this is possible thanks to our *ship crew (Xamk students) and stakeholders!
Scroll down and join *ship!
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Mentors
We bring the coolest mentors: Founders, investors and educators from Finland and over seas to help the next generation.
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Startups
Present your business idea in the Pitch Captain Competition! And also receive 1-on-1 mentoring from entrepreneurial leaders and experts.
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Showroom
Do you happen to have a brand or self design or made products? In our Showroom you have the opportunity to market tour practice and sell your items!
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Our story
All started in 2015 from an innovative idea. With the enthusiasm of Xamk students and our stakeholders a successful international startup event was born!
Read moreXamk students!
Road to *ship
Do you have a business idea, but still unsure where to begin? Or you might have thought to work as entrepreneur, but don’t yet have a clear business idea. Maybe you have a business idea or even a team, but would need guidance and advice from experts and seasoned entrepreneurs.
We have created simple and small steps to provide you with hands-on feedback and ideas, including inspirational mentoring and coaching from entrepreneurs and experts. We’ll guide you forward and perhaps you’ll even take the chance to step on stage at *ship Startup Festival to compete for the top prize!
Join in!Learn and experience entrepreneurship
Interested in developing your business idea? Join our innovation, entrepreneurship and startup academy called *ship Akatemia!
Check out courses for entrepreneurship and startup enthusiasts, Startup Hotline services to support students´ entrepreneurial ideas, Startup Fund grants to develop good business ideas and networks, events and much more!
Explore!