BUILD: Turn your skills into something real

Got an idea you want to test? Or skills you’re ready to put into practice?

BUILD is a free-to-participate 12-week hands-on entrepreneurship program for international students and recent graduates in the Helsinki metropolitan area, delivered by STRYV in collaboration with the City of Helsinki.

You don’t need to be an experienced founder. BUILD is a chance to learn entrepreneurship by actually building something.

What will you do?

Together with your team, you’ll take an idea and develop it step by step.

You’ll explore the problem and market, test your assumptions, develop and validate your solution, and prepare your project for a final pitch. The program combines a structured digital journey with support from mentors and experts at key stages, helping your team understand what to focus on next and keep moving forward.

What will you get from BUILD?

→ Real project experience you can talk about in future interviews
 → A chance to put your existing skills into practice
 → Hands-on understanding of how ideas are tested and developed
 → Experience in problem-solving, validation, teamwork and pitching
 → Something tangible to add to your CV, portfolio or LinkedIn
 → A chance to find out whether entrepreneurship could be for you
 → An opportunity to take a promising project further after the program

Who can apply?

BUILD is for international students and recent graduates who:

Are currently studying at a Finnish higher education institution or graduated within the past 12 months

Live in the Helsinki metropolitan area

Can commit to the 12-week program

Apply as a team of 3–5 people.

Your idea doesn’t need to be fully developed, and no previous entrepreneurship experience is required.

Participation is free, and places for this fall are limited.

Ready to BUILD? Apply by September 30. 

See how far you can take your idea!