Entrepreneurship studies supporting personal career paths and recognition of one’s own skills
Yritystehdas announced earlier this spring that Yritystehdas and the higher education institutions in Jyväskylä are clarifying their services (the news can be found here). At the same time, the aim is to further strengthen entrepreneurship pathways in the Central Finland region.
Within EduJyväskylä institutions, this means that the previously Yritystehdas-delivered accredited trainings (Idea to Business and Business Coaching) as well as Product development funding will now be integrated into a broader entrepreneurship study offering provided under the EduJyväskylä -umbrella.
More detailed information about trainings and funding will continue to be available on EduJyväskylä’s channels.
New: Business Idea Workshops starting in autumn 2026
As a new activity, Keski-Suomen Yritysidea Idea Workshop will launch in autumn 2026, in pilot-phase in Finnish. The workshops will be held monthly starting in September and offer a low-threshold opportunity to develop business ideas forward.
The workshops are open to students, researchers, and staff members who have a competence-based, team-based, or research-based idea and want to develop it further. (For research-based ideas, participants are also encouraged to contact the University of Jyväskylä’s research and innovation services to ensure that issues related to protecting innovations are taken into account.)
Planned workshop dates:
- 29 September 2026 at 14:00 – Crazy Town Jyväskylä
- 28 October 2026 at 14:00 – Crazy Town Jyväskylä
- 26 November 2026 at 14:00 – Crazy Town Jyväskylä
The workshop is for you if you need support in developing an early-stage business idea or have been considering entrepreneurship. You can participate with one or multiple ideas, whether small or large.
During the workshop, you will refine your idea with guidance from a business advisor. The focus is on sparring your concept and providing tools for the next steps, such as productization, testing demand, and exploring market potential.
The workshop is conducted as a small-group, in-person session where you can also learn from others in a similar situation and gain insights into developing a business idea.
Entrepreneurship Stories course
On the Entrepreneurship Stories course, you will hear different perspectives on entrepreneurship and reflect on your own relationship to it.
You will hear entrepreneurs sharing their stories on how and why they became entrepreneurs and what entrepreneurship has taught them. Some speakers started already during their studies, while others transitioned after long careers or even in-between.
The course includes companies of various sizes, different business models, and industries such as communication, wellbeing at work, sustainability, renewable energy, and games. At the same time, you gain valuable insight into different organizations and roles.
Schedule:
- 25 January 2027 – Opening seminar
- 8 February 2027 – Story 1
- 22 February 2027 – Story 2
- 8 March 2027 – Story 3
- 5 April 2027 – Story 4
- 19 April 2027 – Story 5
- 3 May 2027 – Closing seminar
The course can be completed fully online at your own pace during spring 2027, but on-site participation is strongly recommended to enable interaction and questions for the entrepreneurs sharing their stories on-site.
Dreams + Inspiration! course
The Dreams+Inspiration! course offers a space for ideation and career reflection and will be organized three times in the academic year 2026–2027:
- Autumn 2026 (in English) starting 28th October
- Spring 2027 (in Finnish) starting 10th February
- Summer 2027 (in Finnish) starting 5th May
The course invites you to pause and reflect on your direction without pressure or predefined answers. It focuses on exploring your professional aspirations and understanding how your future path can take many forms.
This course is not about becoming an entrepreneur or creating a perfect career plan—it is about you: what you want to learn, try, and understand about yourself and your future.
Idea to Business -coaching
If entrepreneurship sparks your interest after the Idea Workshop or Dreams+Inspiration! course, you can continue with the Idea to Business -coaching.
Upcoming trainings:
- 28 Sept – 18 Dec 2026 (FI)
- 5 Oct 2026 – 25 Jan 2027 (EN/online, with E³UDRES² Alliance)
- 17 Feb – 21 Apr 2027 (FI/online)
- 23 Mar – 11 May 2027 (EN)
During the coaching, you will evaluate the business potential of your idea and develop it toward a viable business. You will also gain understanding of business fundamentals, opportunities, and requirements.
JA Company Program (NYT Programme)
The JA company program can be completed online or by running a business through the NYT (Junior Achievement) framework using the business ID of the program.
Participants operate in real markets with real customers, offering actual products or services. The programme provides an excellent foundation for testing ideas, creating new solutions, and developing entrepreneurial and working-life skills.
It also offers opportunities to participate in regional competitions and national and international finals (Uskalla Yrittää and GEN-E). No prior business idea or experience is required.
Business Coaching
If you already have a growth-oriented company with a business ID, Business Coaching (1–8 ECTS) offers a 6–12 month personalized coaching journey. You will set goals and develop your business together with a dedicated coach.
Product development funding
Product development funding can be applied for twice in autumn 2026. The evaluation panels will take place on:
- 24 September 2026
- 19 November 2026
Information about spring funding rounds will be announced later.
Stay connected
Those interested in entrepreneurship trainings, courses, and events are encouraged to follow EduJyväskylä:
📲 Instagram: @edujklyrittajyys and LinkedIn @EduJyväskylä
Yritystehdas will continue to focus more strongly on growth company incubation. Its events will remain open to students, researchers, and staff from EduJyväskylä institutions.
