Urban Tech Helsinki is an innovation platform dedicated to advancing clean and sustainable urban solutions. Since its launch in 2021, the incubator has supported the development of innovative and scalable startups in key focus areas such as clean energy, mobility, sustainable construction, circular economy and waste management, and urban food production.
Operated by Aalto Startup Center, the program is approaching its conclusion in autumn 2025. In spring 2025, 4FRONT was commissioned to conduct an external impact evaluation which is assessing the incubator’s effectiveness.
The aim ofthe assignment is to evaluate what kind of impact the incubator has achieved and how well the program objectives have been realised from the perspectives of the companies participated in the program as well as from the perspectives of the program’s key operators: the City of Helsinki and Aalto University.
The assessment is also aiming to generate actionable insights that will support continued development of a thriving urban tech ecosystem in Helsinki Metropolitan Area.
‘We have been doing important work in the incubator in supporting startups grow and have a positive impact on cities. It is extremely important to get a critical and unbiased view on what has been successful and what needs to be improved on. With their experience 4FRONT can help us gather the best insights on how to support the growth of the impact and business of the startups to grow even better’, says Eetu Helminen, the Urban Tech Incubator Project Manager.
Picture: Urban Tech Helsinki
