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Welcome to Vaasa Startup Factory

Vaasa Startup Factory is the heart of entrepreneurial energy in the Vaasa region — a vibrant, open space where students, startups, researchers, and innovators come together to turn ideas into impact.
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Who we are for

We’re a collaborative hub and innovation community created by all six universities in Vaasa. Operated by Hanken School of Economics, the Vaasa Startup Factory supports entrepreneurship, experimentation, and early-stage innovation across disciplines and industries.

Whether you’re just curious about entrepreneurship, want to build your first MVP, or already have a startup idea — we’re here for you.

  • Students & Researchers from any of Vaasa’s six universities
  • Aspiring Entrepreneurs with an idea or the passion to solve real-world problems
  • Startups & Early-Stage Teams looking for community, support, and visibility
  • Mentors, Coaches & Experts who want to guide the next wave of innovation

No business degree required — just curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to learn.

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What we aim to achieve

Our mission is to:

  • 🔥 Spark entrepreneurial thinking across disciplines
  • 🚀 Support early-stage innovation from idea to prototype
  • 🤝 Foster meaningful collaborations between academia and the startup ecosystem
  • 🌍 Contribute to regional vitality through new ventures, services, and ideas

We do this through events, programs, mentoring, workshops, and a welcoming space where connections happen naturally.

💜 Mood photos

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🌱 Our programs

We run initiatives like Summer Bloom, host Speaker Series with real founders and operators, and partner on hackathons, accelerators, and pilot projects. Whether you want to learn, build, connect — or all three — we’ve got something for you.

In addition to our own activities, we actively support and collaborate with others who use our space — from professors hosting innovation labs, to community groups like JCI, VES, Demola, Startia/VASEK, and more. The Vaasa Startup Factory is a living platform for entrepreneurial action, co-creation, and unexpected collisions that lead to new ideas.

📍 Visit us


We’re located at Yliopistonranta 10, 2nd Floor — right in the heart of Vaasa. Open weekdays with flexible access to workspaces, meeting rooms, and a friendly community.

Stay up to date with our events via our LinkedIn and Instagram pages.

Come say hi — your idea belongs here.

#VaasaStartupFactory #InnovationHub #StudentEntrepreneurship #StartupVaasa

🎮 Powered by Play: Vaasa University Arcade

Right next to the VSF is the University of Vaasa Arcade - a unique space of over 500 square metres with over 90 pinball machines, arcade cabinets and consoles. The arcade is more than just a place to have fun: it's a place to relax, recharge and get creative. We partner with the arcade in many different ways, bringing a playful energy to Vaasa's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Contact

Vaasa Startup Factory

Visiting address: Yliopistonranta 10, 2nd floor of the Fabriikki building

Opening hours: from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Community Builder and Mentor
Hendrik Morkel
hendrik.morkel@hanken.fi

Riccardo Notarangelo

Riccardo Notarangelo

Specialist
University Services / Innovations and Ecosystems
riccardo.notarangelo [at] uwasa.fi
+358294498693
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VSF:'s House Rules

The VSF has special permission to work as an independent space within the University campus. House rules are therefore important so that we may continue independent and entrepreneurial activities together! 

VSF is a shares space in which:

  1. We respect the space and others.
    1. We're mindful of our surroundings and fellow visitors.
    2. Keep the noise levels appropriate - we use headphones for calls or music, and we check the noise level in the Hot Desk rooms we're using. 
    3. We clean up after ourselves. We strive to leave the space slightly better than we found it, so that  others may also enjoy it! 
  2. We collaborate and share. 
    1. This is a space for collaboration. Feel free to connect, share ideas, and network with others. 
    2. We're open to helping fellow visitors, whether it's advice, feedback, or a second opinion. 
    3. We respect each others' work and ideas - no stealing or copying without permission. 
  3. We stay professional.
    1. Our space is for study, work, and innovation. We strive to maintain a professional attitude while here. 
    2. Our dress code is casual, but we must remember to respect the community by dressing appropriately. 
  4. We use resources responsibly. 
  5. If we have questions, we ask!
    1. You may ask questions of Hendrik, or e-mail him at Hendrik.morkel@hanken.fi 
    2. Alternatively, you may ask Riki - riccardo.notarangelo@uwasa.fi