Unleash and maximize
your true potential

“Before the sparring, our revenue was 1.4 million. One year after the sparring, it was over 2 million, and the profit was better.”

-Sirkku Vahvaselkä-Vuorenpää, Ledi Group

Kasvupolku sparring program
Your journey to growth

Phase 1: Application (Pulssi)

1. Submit Your Contact Information

Start your application by submitting your contact details via the online form. You’ll receive instructions by email on how to create your Pulssi Growth Company Analysis — a vital part of the application process.

2. Complete you Pulssi Analysis

Apply for the sparring program by completing the Pulssi Analysis. More than just an application, Pulssi serves as a tool to develop your growth plan. The insights you provide will shape the entire sparring experience — experts will be selected based on your answers, and they will review your responses before your meetings.

All the information you share is handled with full confidentiality.

A jury reviews the applications, and around 200 growth-driven companies are selected for the program. Selection is based on four key criteria: ability to grow, market potential, team, and references.

3. Join the Digital Workspace

All applicants are invited to access Kasvupolku’s digital workspace, where you can explore the network and take advantage of free sparring resources.

Phase 2: Sparring

1. Meet & Greet (Digital)

The sparring journey kicks off in early May 2026 with a digital Meet & Greet event. Get to know the Kasvupolku community, meet your peers, and feel inspired by group discussions. After this, you’ll continue in a smaller peer group of 20-30 companies that fits your business needs.

2. First and Second Sparring Day (Digital)

The first and second sparring days take place online in May and June 2026, according to your group’s schedule. During the two days, you’ll meet 4 expert advisors handpicked for your business and receive guidance on perfecting your pitch. The goal is to challenge your perspective, spark new ideas, and generate insights. After the sessions, you’ll receive both verbal and numerical feedback from your advisors.

3. Third Sparring Day (Live)

The third sparring day will be organized live in August or September 2026, depending on your group’s schedule. In addition to personalized expert sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to pitch your business to other participants and build valuable connections. Feedback shows that 99% of last year’s participants believe the time invested in sparring was worthwhile.

4. Contacts and Learning on the Digital Workspace

All activity — before, during, and after sparring sessions — takes place on Kasvupolku’s digital workspace. Careful preparation leads to better sparring outcomes, and you’ll even have the chance to influence which experts are chosen for your company. The workspace keeps your contacts close and accessible at all times.

Phase 3: Growth Company of the Year Competition

1. SEMIFINALISTS

After the second sparring day, 30 of the most promising companies from the Kasvupolku program are selected to compete for the title of Growth Company of the Year. Selections are based on points and feedback from experts, judges, and your level of activity throughout the program. These companies advance to a fourth, in-person sparring day held in October.

The sparring day features top-level advisors and the most promising companies from the network. Participants receive 3-4 personalized expert sessions, network-building opportunities, and a meeting with the jury.

2. TOP 10 FINALISTS

A national jury selects the 10 most promising companies from the TOP 30 group based on Kasvupolku’s evaluation criteria. Competition intensifies as you face off against the best-performing companies of the season.

3. KASVU OPEN KARNEVAALI

Kasvu Open Karnevaali is Finland’s most vibrant celebration of growth companies, bringing together the entire network in October. Enjoy the energy, connect with peers, and gain new insights from inspiring talks and events. Attendance is free for all participants.

4. Growth Company of the Year

The TOP 10 companies pitch their businesses live on stage at the Kasvu Open Karnevaali and face tough questions from the jury. One company will be crowned as the Growth Company of the Year, a prestigious title awarded annually to one of the companies that participated in the Kasvupolku program.