Entrepreneurship Stories course expanded across EduJyväskylä – students gained new perspectives on entrepreneurship

The Entrepreneurship Stories course was delivered this academic year for the first time as a joint offering across EduJyväskylä, making it available to students from the University of Jyväskylä (JYU), JAMK University of Applied Sciences, and Gradia.

This renewal improved accessibility and brought together a diverse group of students from different levels of education. JAMK students, in particular, found the course well already in the 2025–2026 academic year, and students from Gradia also participated. Participants came from very different starting points:

• some had no prior interest in entrepreneurship
• some were considering entrepreneurship as a possible career path
• some already had their own business or plans to start one

A diverse group of entrepreneurs inspired participants

The course featured a wide range of entrepreneurial stories, from those taking their first steps into entrepreneurship to more experienced entrepreneurs. Speakers included:

• Outi and Sami Syrjälahti, Sidebay Oy – Train’N’Treat
• Oskari Juvonen, Toteuma
• Valtteri Lahti, PsyonGames, Digi & Game Center, Expa
• Laura Aineslahti, Recenart
• Juuso Tiitola and Olli Järvi, Epassi
• Michael Ormshaw, Momo Design
• Petrikki Tukiainen, KS Yritysidea
• Sami Toivanen, Cityspotting
• Eugen Popescu – Family Business in Romania

The stories varied greatly, with entrepreneurs experiencing different phases and forms of entrepreneurship. Some were actively running businesses, while others had entrepreneurial experience in the past and were currently working in other roles.

Broadening perspectives and building confidence

Based on student reflections, one of the key learning outcomes was a broadened understanding of entrepreneurship. Many students shared that their initially narrow view expanded into seeing entrepreneurship also as a mindset and way of working that can be applied in various professional contexts.

Students also reported gaining confidence to reflect on their own career paths in new ways and to recognize how their own skills could create value for others.

The course continues annually in spring

In the future, the Entrepreneurship Stories course will be organized annually in the spring as a combination of in-person and online learning. The course will always include five live entrepreneurial stories, and the sessions will also be recorded for students.

The expansion of the course highlights the strengthening collaboration within EduJyväskylä and provides a growing number of students with tools to develop their skills and better recognize the opportunities of entrepreneurship.