"Today is about celebrating the progress we’ve made"—Deep Tech, AI, Sustainability Incubator NEXUS Concludes 3rd Batch

On November 6, the Miltton offices in Helsinki hosted the grand finale of the University of Helsinki NEXUS Incubator’s third cohort. Focused on deep tech, artificial intelligence, and sustainability, the event brought together 13 teams eager to showcase their innovative solutions to an audience of over 100 participants, including mentors and entrepreneurial enthusiasts.

Irina Blomqvist , Head of Helsinki Incubators, opened the event with heartfelt words that resonated deeply with the audience. “Take every opportunity to celebrate,” she said, setting the tone for the event.

Blomqvist reflected on the program’s mission to reshape mindsets and position the University of Helsinki as a true entrepreneurial hub. “We want to make a difference at the university, in the mindset,” she explained. “This is an entrepreneurial university at the end of the day.” She expressed deep gratitude to the mentors who had poured their time and effort into supporting the startups. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you to our mentors. To have someone look over your work and truly understand your pain is invaluable. I hope you continue this journey with us.”

Blomqvist also took a moment to celebrate Miltton’s role in hosting the event, specifically thanking Emma Autio and the team. “Thank you, Emma, and Miltton, for providing this space and this moment of resonance for our teams. Resonance is what we seek—not just in brand building and storytelling, but in connecting with people, across industries, and across boundaries. That’s when ideas take root and grow.”

Andres Archila , Programme Manager of NEXUS, also offered a warm welcome to the event’s attendees. “Final word from me—enjoy your time here! Sorry for all the emails,” he joked, prompting laughter from the crowd. “You are ready to start. Some startups grow, others fail, but today is about celebrating the progress we’ve made.”

“Resonance happens when we find what connects people to what we’re doing”

Emma Autio , Director, Brand Consultant at Miltton and a dedicated NEXUS mentor, shared her reflections too. “Today is not about Miltton,” she emphasized. “It’s about our teams and the incredible efforts they’ve made. Seeing 100 faces in the audience, cheering them on, is what makes this all so exciting.”

Autio elaborated on the power of storytelling, a skill she believes is often undervalued in Finnish culture. “Resonance happens when we find what connects people to what we’re doing,” she said. “Good design and visual clues that reflect diversity and inclusivity can create connections that transcend industries. The teams here tonight have truly embraced that.” She praised the determination she witnessed, particularly in how the teams have refined their pitches to communicate complex ideas with clarity and impact.

Soma Sarkar, NEXUS mentor and Head of Cloud Platforms, Mobile Networks at 诺基亚 , has supported the teams throughout their journey. She acknowledged the dedication of mentors and the transformative progress of the startups. “If I compare where they were six months ago to today, it’s a 180-degree shift,” she said. “The ideas are crisper, the confidence is clear, and the storytelling is simply much better. This is the result of hard work, collaboration, and incredible mentorship.”

The teams take the stage

After months of developing ideas, gaining insights from mentors, and exploring the startup world, the NEXUS teams were ready to showcase their work. The variety of projects—from sustainable acoustic panels to AI-driven platforms—illustrated the innovative spirit fostered by NEXUS.

For Endrit Kola, MSc. , founder of WorkGuardAI , the demo day was a moment of pride and reflection. “It feels great…I feel accomplished,” he shared, noting that although he felt some nerves, the support and inspiration from the NEXUS community were invaluable. With a clear sense of direction, Kola plans to raise €500,000 to further develop his platform and expand into new markets. “The future is exciting, and I’m optimistic about what’s next,” he said.

The day was equally transformative for ColorsNCode co-founders Luiza Preda and Allan Castellanos Sosa . “Today, for the first time in a year, I didn’t feel nervous while pitching,” Preda noted. She emphasized the power of the NEXUS community’s support in helping them feel like they were part of a network ready to connect and collaborate. “It feels like the start of so many new connections and partnerships,” she added.

Representing BonFom , team members Anmol Bhattarai , Taha Qureshi , Nádia Vara , and Suraj Magar also looked back on their journey with pride. “I had no idea about pitching before, but now I feel comfortable and confident on stage,” one team member shared. Having built a foundation of knowledge and confidence, the BONFOM team is now focused on securing additional funding to continue their progress.

The NEXUS Demo Day was a milestone for everyone involved, and it perfectly captured the essence of NEXUS: empowering entrepreneurs to make a difference in the world.

As the evening concluded, Blomqvist’s words echoed in the minds of the participants: “Resonance happens when you connect people to your idea. That’s when real change begins.” The teams now move forward with not only sharpened ideas but also a stronger sense of purpose and community—ready to take on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead!

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Text and Interviews by: Lis Vila Rosas

Pictures by: Ralf Blomqvist