We are back, and boy do we have news for you. This year at Arctic15, the OP Pitching competition will be stepping up a notch. Not only are you going to receive cash and services as prizes, but the winning startup will also get a €50 000 investment from the FIBAN Angel Investor Syndicate. Apply here.
But it is not all about the money – there is bragging right too! Arctic15 competition has previously hosted some of the regions’ hottest startups. Previous winners and finalists include: Smarp, Kiosked, The Eye Tribe, Holvi, Transfluent, Infogr.am, Ovelin, Pipedrive, and many others before they made it big.
Want more facts about our alumni? They have raised in more than €55 000 000 between them, which is more than €1 000 000 per startup. More importantly, that is not spread to just a couple of big success stories, as 79% of our hosted startups have raised funding.
This year we feel that the finalists will get even more chances for success, as more prizes will be awarded, more investments will be made and the media turnout is going to be phenomenal. Here is how the process will go:
1. You are going to use this link to apply. The application is quite short and must be sent in by midnight of the 7th of May!
2. From the applications, we will select the TOP 30 startups. Then there will be a period of public voting on ArcticStartup.com until the 15th of May. This will help us to select the 15 finalists.
3. The finalists will be announced on the same day. They will get free tickets to Arctic15, an opportunity to pitch to our investors, media & attendees and fight for the grand prize of €50,000 investment by FIBAN. The details of the investment process will be announced very soon and the syndicate legal work will be managed by Bird & Bird. There will naturally be more prizes in cash and services.
If you are applying, get your tickets early, as we will reimburse you if you get into the TOP 15. Lock-in your earlybird-priced tickets and demo stands.
We also have amazing partners this year. OP Finance Group has joined forces with Arctic15, and will host the competition with us. They are looking forward to meeting amazing startups that will shape the future.
As Kristian Luoma, the Senior Manager of New Business Development at OP Financial Group, put it: “For more than 110 years, OP Financial Group has been a key contributor to the success of many entrepreneurs in Finland. Today, we are once more in a time of change in Finland. We need innovative startups solving problems in new ways. OP feels responsible to contribute to this development, and it is willing to support these companies in their journey.”
They will be excited to meet new fintech startups that apply to the competition, but the field is not limited – both the competition and OP welcome startups from all walks of life.
“We believe there is a lot of room for innovation in integrated experiences between financial services and many other things. Also, health and wellness is an important dimension of our service portfolio today with our Omasairaala. We are eager to make lives better for our customers, all around. In building up its future digital services for its customers, OP also cooperates with startups and software development companies.” says Luoma.
Ready to join the impressive list of our alumni, get €50 000 investment, over €5 000 in services, media attention and much more? Then what are you waiting for? Apply now!
Arctic15 is only possible thanks to our key partners: Microsoft, Tekes and OP Financial Group.
