March Cluster Newsletter
The application period for the Green Transition Business Competition 2026 is currently open, and in addition, companies can access support for business growth during the spring. In the March cluster newsletter, we have compiled an overview of current events, information sessions, and funding calls that help develop business activities and advance new innovations:
- Biocluster Finland is looking for startups developing sustainable solutions – The application period for the Green Transition Business Competition is open until Tuesday, April 7, 2026
- New funding available for SMEs and startups
- The regional idea competition ReFlow Hackathon is seeking ideas for products or services that utilize side streams from the process industry – Apply by Sunday, March 22, 2026
- Events
Biocluster Finland is looking for startups developing sustainable solutions – The application period for the Green Transition Business Competition is open until Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Biocluster Finland organizes yearly the Green Transition Business Competition for young companies, with the aim of offering growth companies visibility, networks, and opportunities to advance funding and collaboration projects.
All innovative and growth-oriented Finnish companies under the age of 15, regardless of industry, with an environmentally friendlier product or service can take part in the competition. In previous years, there has been companies, among others, from the fields of environmentally friendlier industry and construction, climate and food technology, textile industry, processing of natural materials, various energy solutions, as well as carbon sequestration.
We also welcome companies that have participated in previous application rounds to join the competition. If your operations have advanced since the last call, for example, through business growth, progressing beyond the initial stage, or making significant new investments, this is an excellent opportunity to submit a new application.
The Green Transition Gala event gathers stakeholders from different sectors together and offers participating companies valuable opportunities to network with other leaders in the field of sustainability. Furthermore, the gala enables growth-stage companies to present their activities to potential investors and partners.
The winner and audience favorite will be awarded at the Gala. The winner is selected based on the innovativeness, growth potential and environmental impact of the company’s solution or service. The winner of 2025 was Elmery Oy, and the audience voted Nordtreat Oy as their favorite. The winners from previous years include Hycamite TCD Technologies Oy and Owatec Group Oy, while Woodio Oy and Owatec Group Oy have been the audience favorites. Read more about the Gala 2025 and the winners here.
Would your organization like to gain visibility as a supporter of the Green Transition Business Competition 2026 and take part in the gala? We are currently seeking partners to co-organize the gala with us. For more information about collaboration opportunities within the cluster, please contact our Executive Director Anne Sormunen: anne.sormunen@biocluster.fi.
Read more about the competition and apply by Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 12:00 PM
New funding available for SMEs and startups
During the spring there will be several funding calls aimed at SMEs and startups, supporting growth, development projects, and internationalization. Below, we have compiled a selection of Business Finland’s ongoing funding calls:
In the beginning of April the international EU cluster project BIONetZero will be organizing an online funding workshop for SMEs and startups for scaling the solutions and innovations. The event will introduce the new funding call, go through the application process and eligibility requirements, and provide information on available expert services.
Read more about the workshop agenda
The regional idea competition ReFlow Hackathon is seeking ideas for products or services that utilize side streams from the process industry – Apply by Sunday, March 22, 2026
In the process industry of the Sea Lapland region, side streams from the forest, metal, energy, and mining industries amount to as much as 1.5 million tons per year.
The ReFlow Hackathon seeks new ways to utilize these side streams together with local industrial companies, either as circular economy products or as services related to material flows. Whether you are an innovator, entrepreneur, or student, you are invited!
The three best teams will be awarded with cash prizes, and the most promising ideas may also continue into further development. The application period is open until Monday, March 23, 2026, and the Hackathon day will take place on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at JAMK University of Applied Sciences’ Dynamo Campus in Jyväskylä.
The ReFlow Hackathon is organized by Lapland University of Applied Sciences (Lapin AMK) and Digipolis – the Kemi Technology Park Circular Economy Center, in collaboration with the bioeconomy business accelerator Bioboosters.
Read more about the ReFlow Hackathon and sign up
Events
March 17, 2026 From design to implementation: coordinating actors to scale the circular economy | European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (online participation)
March 24, 2026 Raportointi Horisontti Euroopassa | Business Finland (online participation, the language of the event is Finnish)
March 24, 2026 Unlocking scale: creating shared understanding to accelerate the circular economy | European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (online participation)
April 8, 2026 Sprint funding call-info webinar | Business Finland (online participation)
April 14, 2026 Tehtävänä tekoälymurros – mitä johdon pitäisi tehdä juuri nyt? | Sitra (online participation, the language of the event is Finnish)