Scalable Business Growth and Innovation Services for Startups and Companies
Looking for reliable business growth and innovation services to scale your operations? At Crazy Town, we build the social capital and trust needed for real breakthroughs. Our business growth and innovation services connect startups, established companies, and research institutions across our hubs in Tampere, Jyväskylä, Hämeenlinna, Lahti, and Espoo. We facilitate high-impact collaboration where new business thrives.
Tailored Business Growth and Innovation Services for Your Needs
We are invited when the goal is to bring the right people together purposefully. Our clients include companies, regional developers, cities, higher education institutions, and clusters in Finland and Europe. Services can be implemented at Crazy Town locations or anywhere.
🚀 Business Growth and Acceleration Programs: Incubators and accelerators where companies grow with the support of community, mentoring, and networks
🤝 Activation and Co-Creation: Hackathons, idea competitions, and matchmaking that connect people, ideas and services
🏢 Innovation Hubs and Coworking Ecosystems: Designing, launching, and operating community workspaces with over 20 years of experience
🔬 R&D and Innovation Services for Industry-Academia Collaboration: Connecting higher education institutions, companies, and research to move ideas from the lab to the market
🎯 Consulting and Facilitation: Tailored workshops, coaching, and studies that help make better decisions and move things forward
Case Studies: Impactful Business Growth and Innovation Services in Action
Startup Accelerator program held twice a year with specific themes
EriCa Reactor
Crazy Town is implementing an international acceleration program in collaboration with Kemira, which speeds up the transition of green innovations from the lab to the market. The program is built around the Crazy Town EriCa hub in Espoo.
→ Connecting startups, research, and industry
→ Validation, customer understanding, and scaling
→ Solutions for a better life on the planet
Demonstrations of defense technology companies
NATO EFDL Innovation Range
Crazy Town organized a NATO-wide defense technology demonstration event where companies validated the functionality of their solutions in practice.
→ 17 defense industry companies and 250 representatives from stakeholders and partners (NATO, allied countries, and the Ukrainian armed forces, as well as partners like VTT, Nokia, and Telia)
→ Estimated solutions in areas such as artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, and communication
Client: NATO Land Command (LANDCOM), executed in collaboration with the DEFINE network.
from idea to startup in 100 days with the help of the community
Startup Express Oulu
Crazy Town organizes a 100-day program where ideas are turned into businesses with the help of the community, coaching, and practical work. At the same time, we strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem and culture in Oulu.
→ Dozens of new startups and growth-oriented companies: participants test the viability of their ideas and develop them into businesses.
→ Increased activity: Entrepreneurial thinking and skills are strengthened.
Client: City of Oulu / Business Oulu
Cooperation between Finland and Ukraine for the recovery of education
FUEL – Finnish-Ukrainian EdTech Launchpad
Crazy Town implemented a matchmaking program that connects Finnish and Ukrainian learning technology (edtech) startups and supports the reconstruction of Ukraine.
→ 10 accelerated teams from Finland and Ukraine.
→ 100 new collaboration contacts: Events and cooperation in both countries.
Client: Education Finland / OPH
commercialization of deep tech startup expertise
DEEP TECH LAUNCHPAD
A European program in which Crazy Town acts as a partner. The goal is to accelerate the journey of higher education-based deep tech ideas from concept to company.
→ 100 ideas from eight countries.
→ A European community that includes universities, incubators, and stakeholders.
An EU project implemented by Crazy Town in collaboration with European partners.
STORIES AND NEWS
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Frequently Asked Questions:
When are programs held?
Some of CT’s programs are unique, while others are repeated annually. Some programs have multiple application rounds throughout the year. We recommend applying as soon as you see a program that interests you. The next opportunity may not come quickly.
Who can benefit from our business growth and innovation services?
The target groups for the programs vary. Some are aimed at individuals or aspiring entrepreneurs, while others are for established companies, teams, researchers looking to commercialize their expertise, or ecosystem builders, for example. Always check the program-specific participant profiles and selection criteria.
How do Crazy Town's trainings differ from similar ones?
We emphasize peer learning and practicality. Participants learn from each other and apply what they have learned directly to their daily lives. We provide concrete tools and examples that support immediate action. Additionally, there is a connection to our existing community of hundreds of companies and hubs.
Do you need to be a member of Crazy Town to participate?
No, you do not need to be. Most programs are open to anyone who meets the program-specific application criteria.
Can you find partners, customers, or funding through the programs?
Absolutely. Many participants have found partners, customers, and in some cases, investors through the programs. Some have received funding of hundreds of thousands of euros. We maximize the chance of serendipity – the outcome is a combination of your own activity and a bit of luck.
Is personal coaching or mentoring available in the programs?
Yes, most programs offer either group or individual coaching. The exact implementation method varies by program.
What is included in Crazy Town’s business growth and innovation services?
This is the expert team found within Crazy Town, whose projects aim to accelerate growth, support innovation activities, and build strong networks. Clients often include large companies, universities, development companies, ecosystem actors, or projects. Services are always tailored to the client’s needs.
What do you do in practice?
- workshops and ideation sessions
- hackathon-style innovation events
- coaching and acceleration programs for growth companies
- community development and facilitation
- development of coworking and shared spaces
- training for community and ecosystem builders
- network building and facilitated collaboration
- studies and expert consulting
Who implements the services?
The services are provided by Crazy Town’s experienced team, complemented by a wide partner network from various industries and countries. We also leverage the expertise of our own community as much as possible.
Where are the projects carried out?
We operate in Finland and internationally. We have implemented projects in over 15 countries, across Europe, Asia, and Africa. For example, in an educational technology project built between Finland and Ukraine, matchmaking was conducted simultaneously in both countries.
Where are the trainings held – live, online, or hybrid?
Programs often start with an in-person meeting that supports networking and team building. After this, we continue online or on-site. We hate hybrid (and so do the participants), but we do it when necessary.
Can you find partners, customers, or funding through the programs?
Absolutely. Many participants have found partners, customers, and in some cases, investors through the programs. Some have received funding of hundreds of thousands of euros. We maximize the chance of serendipity – the outcome is a combination of your own activity and a bit of luck.
Contact us or request a quote
Schedule a meeting or request a quote. The scope of projects varies from a few days of implementation to years of partnerships.
We also respond to public tenders. You can leave a contact request using the form below or get in touch directly with the Growth and Innovation Services team. Contact details can be found below.
Ready to scale your business? Contact our specialists directly.
Katerina Salmi
Team Lead
+358 44 356 9982
katerina.salmi@crazytown.fi
Toni Pienonen
Senior Specialist
+358 400 737 238
toni.pienonen@crazytown.fi
Mikko Korpela
Senior Specialist
+358 400 499 242
mikko.korpela@crazytown.fi
Pavel Popov
Specialist
+358 50 472 7544
pavel.popov@crazytown.fi
Tommi Uitti
Ecosystem Specialist
+358 40 367 5698
tommi.uitti@crazytown.fi
Mikko Markkanen
Crazy Town Founder
+358 40 7588 712
mikko.markkanen@crazytown.fi
Jan Schmidt
Startup Express
+358 46 661 3752
jan.schmidt@crazytown.fi