BUSINESS LAB
Hanken Business Lab – Inspiring people Concentration, discussion, inspiration, exchange of ideas – the atmosphere is palpable when you step down into the basement of Hanken in Helsinki. Here is Hanken Business Lab, an innovative incubator with the goal of helping start-ups, growth companies, associations and individuals to grow.
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he Helsinki lab was founded in 2016, with a second Hanken Business Lab being inaugurated in Vaasa one year later. Its directors are two Hanken alumni: Markus Wartiovaara (Helsinki) and Jan Sten (Vaasa). Markus Wartiovaara encouraged the Lab in Helsinki to develop into an integral part of the international entrepreneurial ecosystem. “If you want to come back to Hanken, we want to be the place with the lowest threshold. Our activities are not only for start-ups, but for Hanken students of all ages. If you have got stuck in your career, or want to create something new, you are always welcome back – to a creative and supportive environment.”
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The Lab in Vaasa also offers students a unique chance to learn how to navigate their way through the world of entrepreneurship. The activities at the Vaasa Lab are more time-restricted; most students start and run their business only while pursuing their studies. “The students use the Lab as an opportunity to gain experience about entrepreneurship and business innovation, two things that are also known to improve the chances of getting a job after graduation,” says Jan Sten. Today, Hanken Business Lab has over 50 members, a unique mix of everything from internationally successful companies to non-profit organizations. Three of them are presented here:
