Recipients of the Sustainable Entrepreneurship Grant, Spring 2025
The foundations of the Tampere Universities annually award sustainable entrepreneurship grants to students of the community.
HUBS actively collaborates with all three foundations and participates in the selection process of the grant recipients. In spring 2025, we received a record number of over 80 applications. A big thank you and huge congratulations to our grant-winning students!
The next sustainable entrepreneurship grant will be awarded in autumn 2025 (for TAMK students) and in spring 2026 (for the entire higher education community). Read more about the grant!
Note: The field of study/unit/faculty listed after the applicant’s name represents the main applicant’s field, but teams can also consist of students and/or graduates from other fields.
Here are all the grantees from spring 2025:
Tampere University Support Foundation
A total of 5000€ was distributed to the following students:
1. Saara Heiskanen, SOC, Social Sciences
Offers solution-focused short-term therapy both in-person and remotely in Finnish and English.
1000€ for business development activities. Social sustainability is particularly embedded in the therapy service. The applicant already has a clientele and a distinctive perspective on their activities.
2. Timo Guo, MAB, Business Studies
Develops an AI-based system that identifies and prevents hostile communication and cyberbullying on children’s and adolescents’ phones in real-time. The AI operates in the background without a separate application, aiming to address harmful behavior before it causes serious psychological harm.
1000€ for developing a test version. The idea aims to address a significant societal challenge, cyberbullying.
3. Kun Wang, ITC, Human Technology & Interaction, Computing Sciences
VitaAI is an innovative mobile application designed to help users track and optimize vitamin intake by scanning daily meals into the app.
1000€ for further development of the application. The applicant’s vitamin intake measuring app has a good angle, and the applicant has a comprehensive application and portfolio.
4. Anni Mattila, MAB, Master’s Program in Business Studies, Marketing
Digimarkkinointi Ratkaisut Oy is a value-driven and data-driven digital marketing agency. The company helps businesses and events grow digitally by combining customer data, business goals, and value-based communication into measurable digital visibility.
1000€ for website development. The use of the grant is very well justified. The applicant has considered sustainability from different perspectives, even though the business is more traditional.
5. Yelyzaveta Glybchenko, MAB, Doctoral Programme in Administrative Sciences, Business Studies and Politics
Visual PeaceTech is a research-based company that utilizes digital-visual innovation, whose future planning and foresight strategies help companies, organizations, and individuals anticipate changes and prepare for them better. This is especially for clients whose work is directly or indirectly affected by violent conflicts.
1000€ for developing the business model. The idea is socially significant, innovative, and timely. The applicant has extensive experience in peace issues and a desire to involve investors as well.
Industrial Research Fund at Tampere University of Technology (TTY support foundation)
A total of 20,000€ was distributed to the following students and their teams:
- Severi Fält + team, MAB, Industrial Engineering and Management
Second Serve – The business idea is a sustainable solution where used tennis balls are collected from tennis halls, refurbished, and re-pressurized, then sold back to the courts. This extends the lifespan of the balls, reduces environmental impact, and offers a cheaper alternative to new balls for enthusiasts.
4500€ for initial business investments. Simple and clear idea. The problem to be solved was found through personal hobby. Good application materials. Preliminary partners already exist.
2. Christopher Green + team, BEN, Masters in Structural Engineering
We are developing a device that can produce a warning for drivers of high vehicles in situations where they are at risk of hitting overhead structures such as bridges and tunnels.
4000€ for developing the business plan, marketing materials, research plan, prototype, and finding a validating research perspective. Important topic and good, comprehensive, and understandable business idea and application stemming from personal research.
3. Eeli Kontola, ENS, Mechanical Engineering
The company imports solar-powered water pumps designed for the controlled drainage systems of farms. The pumps operate automatically, using renewable energy, improving the efficiency of field cultivation and reducing nutrient runoff into water bodies.
2500€ for sales and marketing activities (Okra agricultural fair and website). Very practical and clear idea and product. Ecological sustainability is central.
4. Veikka Niemikotka, BEN, Master’s Program in Civil Engineering
A self-built sauna raft powered by an electric motor, with large solar panels on the roof charging a smart battery, allowing for several hours of cruising at a time.
2000€ for initial investments in the rental business (e.g., improving the boat dock to be accessible and developing the reservation system and website). Good, clear, and well-justified application.
5. Ville Löytynoja + team, ENS, Bachelor’s Program in Technical Sciences, Automation Technology
The solution focuses on navigation and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions in SAR operations (Search and Rescue) and measurement and imaging activities.
2000€ for component purchases. Good, comprehensive application.
6. Paavo Järvenpää + team, ENS, Bachelor’s and Master’s in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
The business idea is to develop easy-to-use and cost-effective devices that allow households, educational institutions, and small businesses to recycle plastic waste and produce reusable 3D printing filament from it.
2000€ for initial business investments (e.g., prototype construction and necessary software at this stage). Concrete and scalable solution to reduce plastic waste.
7. Shuqiong Xie + team, ENS, Master’s in Environmental Engineering
Online Sustainability Index is a browser extension that guides users to make informed and sustainable decisions when shopping online.
2000€ for idea development and piloting. Interdisciplinary team, good application and business plan.
8. Aku Kettunen + team, ITC, Bachelor’s and Master’s in Information and Electrical Engineering
Game development with own game engine.
1000€ for development work. Comprehensive, good application. Business idea based on own expertise.
Tampere University of Applied Sciences Foundation
A total of 50 116€ was distributed to the following students and their teams:
- Niko Koskela + team, Proakatemia
72h Pack – a pre-assembled emergency kit that makes preparedness easy, quick, and affordable.
5000€. A very good and important idea from a safety perspective, considering megatrends, with a clear concept. The product has a justified societal significance.
2. Onni Saavalainen, Social and Health Care field
Alfa Innovation – Online personal training (and in the future, physiotherapy). A remotely conducted lifestyle coaching aimed at the individual’s overall well-being, including nutrition and exercise counseling as well as recovery optimization. The service includes monitoring progress in addition to guidance and counseling.
5000€. Good analysis of the operating environment and a novel approach. Professional, good application.
3. Ron Efrati + team (multidisciplinary), Proakatemia
Hehke – Hetki Hehkua! is a charity event for music and performing arts, to be held on 14.10.2025 at Tavara-asema.
2000€. Good market research and comprehensive application, special thanks for investigating the purchasing power of the customer base. Inclusivity and equality are clear differentiators. Multidisciplinary team.
4. Mehwish Mehr, International Business, YAMK
Sustainable reuse (upcycling) of furniture addresses the problem of furniture waste by transforming old, discarded furniture into high-quality products again. This initiative promotes sustainability by reducing landfill waste, extending the lifespan of furniture, and supporting the circular economy.
5000€. Sustainability is integrated into the business idea and is very timely. Comprehensive, well-justified, and highly potential application.
5. Zhiyuan Liu + team (multidisciplinary), Software Engineering
The web-based knowledge-sharing platform “TutorSwap” is a peer-learning service that enables sharing and learning skills with other users. The platform is free for everyone, and users are encouraged to teach others via video calls about things they know and can explain to others. Teaching earns in-app currency, which can then be used to learn new things from other users.
4487€. An advanced and fresh idea, as resource-exchange-based communities are on the rise. Very comprehensive application, with sustainability and the team’s mission aligned. The idea has significant international potential.
6. Ada Varvio + team, Proakatemia
Lavly Dog Yoga is a special, new, energizing, and refreshing experience that combines physical and mental well-being. In the class, our customers can relax with gentle yoga, but there is also a unique refreshing element – dogs! Puppies move, play, romp, frolic, and sleep freely in the space, allowing for petting and cuddling moments at any time.
2500€. Good, concise application. The business idea has already been tested and the results are excellent – you have found a win-win situation. The grant is intended to expand the business to Helsinki.
7. Hasan Taoheed + team, Proakatemia
EcoTrek Foods – “Locally produced, adventure-ready” – is a hiking food company that makes dried foods such as soups, campfire meals, and desserts from locally sourced ingredients following sustainable development principles. The company’s goal is to offer long-lasting and environmentally friendly hiking foods.
2629€. Well-defined target group, and a good application from a knowledgeable team.
8. Nino Haveri + team, Proakatemia
Loimuluola offers guided themed birthday parties, children’s escape room experiences, and children’s parties for 5–12-year-olds, aiming to support children’s creativity and reduce inequality. Our concept combines experiential party themes, professional instructors, and activities that support community.
2000€. Important topic, especially the “Meidän synttärit” concept, comprehensive application.
9. Santtu Liljenbäck + team, Proakatemia
Rotval Tours – Authentic and sustainable experiences in Tampere. The goal is to make the city an even more attractive tourist destination and to become a pioneer in sustainable tourism in Finland. Our concept is based on three key factors: authenticity, responsibility, and unforgettable experiences.
4000€. Comprehensive background research and application, with good concretizations of sustainability. Already agreed partnerships strengthen credibility and your chances of success.
10. Katariina Kirves, Media & Arts
Creates unique and sustainable art jewelry, art lamps, and other art/design products from recycled materials, such as plastic, fabric, metal, and wood, which gain new life through creative design solutions. The products are handmade and each one is unique, making them valuable and personal.
2500€. Very beautiful art products made from recycled materials, and well-described customer persona.
11. Santeri Liukkula + team, Sales and Marketing
Häppeninki: The sustainable development and future of Tampere’s electronic music scene. Häppeninki is an event concept focused on Tampere’s electronic music scene, offering high-quality musical experiences in a communal and easily approachable environment.
2000€. New and good idea with a clear target group, clear and comprehensive application.
12. Ayush Kumar, Proakatemia
Stammpy is a digital loyalty platform designed to help restaurants, cafes, and wellness businesses improve customer loyalty while promoting sustainability.
5000€. The sustainability focus sets this applicant apart from existing similar businesses. Realistic financial plan and precise application.
13. Trang Dinh + team, Proakatemia
NoodleVerse is a new and exciting food place in Tampere that combines instant noodles with Nordic-style cafe operations.
2000€. Excellent and interesting idea with its own unique twist.
14. Khaldun Shahran + team, Proakatemia
ReportVibe is an innovative data visualization platform designed to support small businesses and non-profit organizations by combining multiple data sources into one place (dashboard). This enables faster and data-driven decision-making while emphasizing data security and ease of use.
3000€. Comprehensive application and potential idea. Great that the idea has already been tested with potential future users and customers.
15. Olivia Taltivie + team, Information Processing
The gaming company Hello Again Studio focuses on producing and publishing PC games designed to be playable by players with physical or cognitive special needs.
3000€. Good, thorough, and clear application, with social sustainability at the core of your operations. We believe in the potential of the idea to impact the development of accessibility in the gaming industry.
HUBS congratules all grant recipients!