When driven students, cutting-edge technology, and real-world industrial challenges converge, innovation happens fast. On October 3–4, 2026, the North Savo Entrepreneurship Society (NES) hosted the first-ever SAVO HACK at Campus Heart, Savonia University of Applied Sciences in Kuopio.
Over an intense, energy-packed 24 hours, nearly 50 talented students from local academic institutions turned complex forestry data into practical digital solutions. Here is a look back at how SAVO HACK 2026 unfolded, who made it possible, and what this landmark event means for the startup ecosystem in North Savo.
The Vision Behind SAVO HACK
The core premise of SAVO HACK was direct and action-oriented: take real-world industry problems, pair them with passionate student teams, give them 24 hours to build and refine a concept, and provide top-tier mentorship along the way.
Organized by the North Savo Entrepreneurship Society, the event aimed to empower young builders, innovators, and creators in the region by giving them an authentic taste of rapid prototyping, entrepreneurial problem-solving, and startup pitching. By partnering with local educational institutions and industry leaders, SAVO HACK established a vibrant space where university students could apply classroom knowledge directly to commercial challenges.
The Challenge: Transforming Forest Data with One Lion Company
At the center of SAVO HACK 2026 was our primary Challenge Partner, One Lion Company (Onlion).
One Lion Company specializes in high-tech forestry solutions, helping forest owners, managers, and companies harvest actionable data from forest lands. For SAVO HACK, Onlion provided a real-world dataset and tasked teams with developing innovative applications, algorithms, or platforms to make forestry data more accessible, insightful, and usable.
Forestry is a fundamental pillar of Finland’s economy, and integrating modern data analysis, machine learning, and intuitive user interfaces into natural resource management opens immense commercial potential. The participating teams dove deep into the domain, spending late hours working through data pipelines, UI models, and value propositions.
24 Hours of Building, Mentorship, and High Energy
From Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon, Campus Heart was transformed into a bustling hub of creative energy. Powered by determination, teamwork, and dozens of energy drinks, 13 student teams worked around the clock to refine their solutions.
To ensure teams stayed on the right track, experienced industry practitioners stepped in as mentors, providing hands-on guidance on technical implementation, pitch delivery, and business model feasibility:
- Tatu Iivarinen
- Noora Tuikka
- Minja S.
Their continuous support helped teams refine rough concepts into polished, pitch-ready presentations within 24 hours.
The Pitching Finale and the Winner
On Sunday afternoon, all 13 teams took to the stage to pitch their solutions in front of an enthusiastic audience and an expert panel of judges. The judging panel comprised distinguished figures in entrepreneurship, tech, and startup development:
- Peter Vesterbacka (Entrepreneur and tech visioner)
- Osama Zulfiqar Babakhel
- Reeti Polón
Evaluating 13 distinct approaches to forest data management was no easy task. Every team delivered remarkable ideas and technical execution. However, one team stood out for its seamless integration of technology, business value, and presentation flair.
Congratulations to Team Fixiki!
Team Fixiki took home the grand prize of €1,000, earning top honors at the inaugural SAVO HACK for their outstanding solution to One Lion Company’s forest data challenge. Their approach showcased deep domain understanding, strong execution, and a clear path toward implementation.
Empowering the Local Academic & Entrepreneurial Community
The overwhelming response to SAVO HACK highlighted the immense talent residing within Kuopio’s higher education and vocational ecosystem. The majority of participants represented our valued Campus Partners:
- Savonia University of Applied Sciences (Savonia-ammattikorkeakoulu)
- University of Eastern Finland (Itä-Suomen yliopisto)
- Savon ammattiopisto (Sakky)
Events like SAVO HACK bridge the gap between academic study and practical entrepreneurship, giving students firsthand exposure to fast-paced startup dynamics, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and networking opportunities with regional investors and mentors.
Grateful to Our Partners, Sponsors, and Supporters
SAVO HACK 2026 could not have happened without the collaborative ecosystem across Pohjois-Savo and beyond. We extend our deepest gratitude to all the organizations and sponsors who believed in this vision and supported our participants:
- Challenge Partner: One Lion Company
- Platform & Organizing Support: Vivunity & Reeti Polón
- Community & Regional Partners:
- Business Kuopio
- Business Center Pohjois-Savo
- Hub Panostamo
- Nostetta Ventures
- Yksityisyrittäjäin Säätiö
- Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY ry)
What’s Next for North Savo Entrepreneurship Society?
The success of the inaugural SAVO HACK proves that Kuopio is home to an ambitious, highly capable generation of builders and problem solvers. This hackathon is just the beginning of a larger movement to foster young entrepreneurship, technological innovation, and startup activity in North Savo.
NES will continue creating hands-on opportunities, workshops, networking sessions, and hackathons designed to give students and aspiring founders the platform they need to launch real solutions.
Stay Connected
Want to join our next hackathon, mentor upcoming teams, or partner with us on future challenges?
- Follow North Savo Entrepreneurship Society on LinkedIn and social media for upcoming events.
Together, let’s keep building, experimenting, and growing the entrepreneurship community in North Savo!
