April 2026 Recap
1. Entrepreneurship, Start‑ups & Pitching:
A substantial part of the month was dedicated to start‑up development, pitching practice, and founder support. Multiple sessions focused on helping individuals refine ideas and presentations, including repeated pitch practice sessions with the winner of Spring Sprout 2026. Additionally, startup idea follow‑ups, and progress reviews such as supporting the Entrepreneurial Doctoral eXploration laboratory (EDX LAB) program. These activities show sustained mentoring and hands‑on support for early‑stage projects throughout the month.
2. AI, Technology & Innovation:
Technology and AI were recurring themes. Events such as the Novia AI Boost Event, a Gaming Development session, and collaboration meetings like Capacitor+ x VAMK – RDI Department collaboration meeting show active engagement across project and organisational departments. The focus of these activities was on AI Adoption, research-to-practice collaboration, and education. Additionally, these activities show the energy going into building and sustaining a cross-organisational ecosystem at the VSF.
3. Workshops, Seminars & Knowledge Sharing:
April also included several long‑format workshops and seminars, such as the “Palosaaren korkeakoulujen” (Palosaari HEIs) Workshop, Sustainable Entrepreneurship Pitches, and the SF Bridge Seminar. These events involved multiple rooms bookings and extended time blocks. The programmes were structured with presentations, group work, and audience participation.
4. Community & Ecosystem Events:
Beyond formal work sessions, the calendar shows strong emphasis on community‑building. Events like the International Talents Alumni Gathering, Local Business Heroes, and JCI event highlight VSF’s role as a broader civic and social hub, not just a workspace for start‑ups.
5. External Engagement & International Partnerships
There were also activities tied to external collaboration and international engagement, including the Engage EU Expedition and “Vaasa to SF” session. These events show outreach beyond the local ecosystem, linking VSF activities to wider European and international initiatives.
In summary, April 2026 was characterised by:
- High density of events and meetings, often running several hours
- Strong concentration across the VSF, with Room 251 being a favourite for workshops and general activities.
- A balance between start‑up coaching, AI/tech innovation, education, and community events
- Continuous engagement across students, founders, partners, and external stakeholders
If you have ideas for events that you would like to see come to life - get in touch with Hendrik or Riccardo!
Hendrik.Morkel@hanken.fi