Susicorn is more than a startup competition — it is a launchpad for bold and visionary founders ready to turn early-stage startup ideas into scalable ventures.

The competition is open to entrepreneurs, early-stage startups, scaleups, spinoffs and spinouts originating from universities, research organisations, and companies, as well as students and individual innovators from all industries.

Susicorn focuses on innovation, scalability, and growth potential, with an emphasis on ideas that enable commercialisation and open new markets.

Susicorn’s Innovation Focus Areas

While Susicorn welcomes ideas from all industries, the competition places special emphasis on focus areas reflecting the Greater Joensuu region’s strongest industries and future growth opportunities.

Susicorn seeks technological and business innovations across the value chain that create new business opportunities and have the potential to scale into globally competitive ventures:

• Commercial Digital Solutions
  Industrial digitalisation, AI-driven services, cyber and GovTech, next-generation digital platforms, and smart city and mobility solutions for scalable business.
  
  
• Dual-Use and Security Solutions
  Solutions for digital security, situational awareness, and sensor-based systems, creating new commercial and dual-use business opportunities in defence, safety, and border operations - strengthened by Eastern Finland’s unique Borderland Europe Living Lab, a world-class environment for developing digital border security technologies. Learn more at Borderland Europe Living Lab
  
  
• Photonics and Light-Based Technologies
  Optics, photonics, laser systems, sensing, measurement, and imaging technologies enabling new products, services, and scalable business applications. Learn more at Photonics Joensuu
  
  
• Sustainable Resource Solutions and Circular Industries
  Forest bioeconomy, digital forestry, circular processes, green transition solutions, sustainable materials, and bio-based innovations creating new circular business models and value chains. Learn more at Forest Joensuu
  
  
• Energy Transition
  Clean energy systems, hydrogen technologies, energy storage, and resilient energy infrastructure enabling new energy markets and scalable business opportunities. Learn more at Energy Joensuu 
  
  
• Mining and Minerals Industry
  Process technologies, mineral innovations, side-stream utilisation, and new business models across the mining and extractive value chain. Learn more at Outokumpu Mining Hub 
  
  
• Plastics, Metal, and Manufacturing Industries
  Advanced manufacturing, machining, industrial automation, materials innovation, and high-precision engineering driving competitive, scalable industrial businesses.

Whatever your field, Susicorn offers a highly visible stage to showcase your innovation and accelerate its growth.

Why the Joensuu Region?

Susicorn invites ambitious founders to build their future in the Greater Joensuu region - one of Finland’s most dynamic and business-friendly innovation hubs.

The region is home to the University of Eastern Finland and world-class companies, supported by RDI expertise that drives technology-led growth and commercialisation.

With more than €200 million in startup exits, the Greater Joensuu region stands out as one of Finland’s most business-friendly environments - a luminous launchpad for bold founders aiming for the big breakthrough.

All Susicorn competitors have the opportunity to join the Startup Joensuu hub and access its services. As one of Finland’s most dynamic startup hubs, Startup Joensuu connects founders with a vibrant and collaborative network of entrepreneurs, investors, and partners, connecting with over 70 innovation-driven companies, universities, and internationally recognised innovation hubs. These connections open national and international pathways for visibility, collaboration, funding, and global growth.

Susicorn Competition invites ambitious startups and founders to build their future in the Greater Joensuu region - a dynamic and internationally connected innovation hub. The region is home to the University of Eastern Finland and world-class companies, supported by strong RDI expertise that drives technology-led growth and commercialisation.

In the Greater Joensuu region, Susicorn gives you access to:

• unique pilot and test labs and environments, including the Borderland Europe Living Lab

• internationally recognised industry clusters and collaboration hubs, such as Photonics Joensuu, Forest Joensuu, Energy Joensuu, ICT Hub Joensuu, and Outokumpu Mining Hub

• a highly skilled talent pool shaped by international, multidisciplinary education and research

• strong research, development, and innovation (RDI) expertise

• investor networks and funding opportunities

• business development and end-to-end relocation services

Together, these form a world-class deep-tech and innovation environment, where B2B and R2B innovators — including startups, scaleups, spin-offs, spin-outs, individual founders, and students — can test, pilot, and grow.

The greater Joensuu region, as defined by the Business Joensuu operating area, includes the municipalities of Heinävesi, Ilomantsi, Joensuu, Kitee, Liperi, Outokumpu, Polvijärvi, Rääkkylä, and Tohmajärvi.