What we are looking for?

Through the application, we want to understand the following aspects: 1) your personal background, 2) what you are building, and 3) what are the objectives that you are striving to achieve during the three months in the SF Bay Area.

The program revolves around the objectives of the participant for the program. Our program provides value for startup teams at two different stages: 1) idea validation and 2) go-to-market/expansion stage. The objectives for the program could be related to the following:

The application criteria

You are eligible to apply to the program if the following points check out:

• You are 1-2 people team representing a startup or looking to found one (Note! If you’re applying with a two people team, each team member needs to submit an application for the program separately)
• You have well-outlined objectives and a plan for the program. Guidelines for drafting plan as well as an example plan can be found from here
• At least one of your team members are either 1) Finnish or 2) live in Finland
• Everyone in your team is over 18 years old
• You are able to cover the program participation fee of 500€/person (inc. taxes), pay for your own flights, and pay for your living costs during the program which are estimated to be c. 800-1200€/month per participant (meaning food, public transportation, etc.)
• You are able to either 1) apply for an ESTA or 2) have an existing visa to the US (e.g., B-1/B-2 visitor visa) for the duration of the program