HAMK’s first startup specialist Jyri Leinonen: “There could be demand for business ideas in the defence sector, for example”
The first startup specialist was assigned to HAMK half a year ago, and his first task has now been completed: the student-driven startup community HAMKES operates in Riihimäki.
Jyri Leinonen’s task is to promote the start-up culture at HAMK. In practice, he helps HAMK students to create startup communities where they can spar and implement their business ideas. The registered association HAMKES has now been set up in Riihimäki. The 24 students in HAMKES are from the ICT Robotics, Mechanical Engineering and Sustainable Urban Design Degree Programmes.
The activity was marketed to all students, but the international students took up the idea most enthusiastically.
“I would say 98% of this is driven by our international students. I think it’s more natural for them to jump into something new and unknown – they have already made the decision to come to a cold country far away to study,” says Leinonen, adding that unfortunately it is also more difficult for them to find employment, so they are already prepared to start their own business.
I would say 98% of this is driven by our international students.
Jyri Leinonen
Students rule
At HAMKES, student-centredness is important and students are making the decisions. HAMKES recently elected a board of directors, and David Hlabangana, a mechanical engineering student, was elected chairman. His main task is to ensure that the association becomes a launch pad for creative and sustainable business ideas, where like-minded people can meet and share ideas.
“HAMKES is not just about starting businesses, it’s about cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset. Whether or not you launch a company, the skills we develop – problem-solving, leadership, adaptability – will be valuable in any career path. My goal is to create an environment where failure is seen as a learning opportunity,” says Hlabangana.
HAMKES is not just about starting businesses, it’s about cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset.
David Hlabangana
It is still in its infancy, but students already have business ideas in areas such as imports, manufacturing and tourism. At HAMKES, you work on your own time, but you can earn credits for your activities.
Great contacts through Define and investors
Leinonen’s second task is to support start-ups in Define, a project launched by the city of Riihimäki to bring together defence and security companies, educational institutions and research institutes. Before joining HAMK, Leinonen was a consultant to the City of Riihimäki, where he was involved in the launch of the Define network.
According to Leinonen, HAMKES and Define want to cooperate.
“Unfortunately, times are such that there is a particular pull in the defence sector, and business ideas related to it, also from students, are welcome.” Leinonen himself has experience in start-up entrepreneurship, working at companies such as Ericsson and in the e-transport industry, and is an angel investor in the Fiban network.
“I bring in my fellow investors and offer a startup clinic on Tuesdays for students who want to hone their business ideas. I also keep in touch with local players, the city and business developers. The support and enthusiasm from the city of Riihimäki has been really important,” says Leinonen.
Similar associations will be set up on all campuses so that students from any educational background can join. The aim is to set up an association on the Hämeenlinna campus before the end of this year and the rest by 2027 at the latest. “The idea is to cross-pollinate different educational institutions, and HAMK’s multi-campus nature is a bit of a challenge. On the other hand, it is an advantage when we cover a wider area regionally,” says Leinonen.
According to David Hlabangana, HAMKES has had a promising start. They have a motivated team whose enthusiasm at the first meetings has been palpable.
“I encourage all interested students to actively participate, share their ideas and take advantage of all the opportunities available. The success of HAMKES depends on our collective energy, creativity and willingness to support each other,” says Hlabangana.