OYSTER

OYSTER

OYSTER will serve as a cutting-edge digital health Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) center and strategically it is designed to synergize with the new Oulu University Hospital OYS2030. In the future OYSTER will provide a unique platform for multidisciplinary collaboration and public-private partnerships to nurture evidence based (value-based) healthcare education, research, innovations, and solutions for the benefit of patient wellbeing and society at large, all under one roof. OYSTER will be advanced through collaborative efforts involving stakeholders within the OuluHealth ecosystem.

OYSTER Incubator

OYSTER will consist of multiple elements. The first element to be initiated is the OYSTER Incubator, which will open in fall 2024. The OYSTER Incubator is primarily targeted at starting companies as well as researchers, students, professionals, and innovators interested in developing innovations for the social and healthcare. The activities are particularly aimed at experts in digital health, health technology, the health and well-being industry, and diagnostics.

The operation of the OYSTER Incubator comprises two stages.

1. In the first phase, a business idea is developed and validated.

2. The second phase is specifically dedicated to developing business operations.

The services of the OYSTER Incubator are tailored according to need, aiming to support faster market entry for companies, assist in finding funding channels, and facilitate the creation of versatile networks to support enterprise.

Applying to the OYSTER Incubator

  • The first application round for OYSTER Incubator operation is now open for the first phase – Idea validation. The application is open to anyone with the desire to develop new, scalable innovations for healthcare needs. If interested, please fill in the application form.
  • The application form in English
    The application form in Finnish
  • As an alternative to submitting the application form you may send your application by sending a voice or video message via WhatsApp to +358 50 591 7721

The deadline for the applications is August 28th. Thereafter, the applications will be evaluated, and we will be in touch with you in September.

Your Guide to OYSTER Incubator

The OYSTER Incubator will consist of two phases: 1) Idea validation and 2) Business Development. Activities will commence with idea validation in fall 2024, followed by business development in early 2025.

  • Submit your application to the OYSTER Incubator by August 28th.
  • You will be notified about acceptance by the end of August.
  • The program will span 100 days, approximately 14 weeks, commencing on September 9th.
  • The OYSTER Incubator will be delivered as a hybrid program; education sessions will take place approximately once a week or every two weeks at the OYSTER Incubator premises in Kontinkangas. Additionally, there will be online meetings and offline materials provided.
  • The training is free of charge, and applications are open to anyone, including innovators/teams outside Oulu.
  • Training will cover product and business development in health & life sciences, business models, regulations, funding opportunities, and pitching.
  • You will also have opportunities to build your network – we will assist you!

The OYSTER Incubator is a collaborative effort involving BusinessOulu, OuluHealth, the University of Oulu, and Oulu University of Applied Sciences. This initiative is delivered through the OYSTER project, which is co-funded by the EU and supported by the Council of Oulu Region.

Contact person

Minna Komu
Network Director, Coordination of Health and Life Science ecosystem OuluHealth
minna.komu@businessoulu.com