Capacitor+ is establishing an incubator specifically for the energy sector. In this incubator, Capacitor+ provides both technical and business support by leveraging the existing ecosystem in research and business support.
Capacitor+ is a regional development initiative coordinated by the University of Vaasa and Merinova Technology Centre. The principal objective of this project is to establish a three-track energy sector incubator within the Vaasa Region. The incubator will support companies relocating to the area, teams beginning at the conceptual stage, and ideas requiring technology transfer or spinout. The target groups include students, engineers with entrepreneurial ambitions, entrepreneurs with an engineering orientation, and startup companies in the energy sector seeking to join the Vaasa Energy Cluster.
By connecting Capacitor+ to the Wärtsilä’s WISE Ecosystem, every SME, entrepreneur, and innovator gains access to early-stage idea validation, regardless of alignment with major players’ strategies. WISE ecosystem, co-funded by Business Finland and led by Wärtsilä, links the Capacitor+ incubator to its target audience. Companies aiming to collaborate with Wärtsilä may need extra support for business or technology development, which Capacitor+ and WISE jointly provide. This partnership offers access to university and partner resources to speed up research, development, and innovation for market-ready ideas. Additionally, Capacitor+ connects in a deeper way to the region, bringing in other regional actors such as VASEK and EnergySpin, as well as connecting to the other entrepreneurial initiatives in the region.
The incubator has three main tracks:
- SPINOUT is designed for ideas that are currently confined within larger organisations, where there may be insufficient time, resources, or strategic motivation to further their development. Despite these limitations, such ideas can often be highly promising, viable, and innovative. Capacitor+ offers these ideas an opportunity for validation, engaging student teams or specially selected individuals to assess and progress them.
- MOVERS is the incubation track that supports startups and teams relocating into the region. This track provides additional assistance for the formation of new entities within the Vaasa area. It also emphasises networking and connecting newcomers to the local ecosystem, ensuring a smooth integration and access to relevant support structures.
- CORE represents the incubation process open to any entrepreneurial individual with an idea tailored to the energy sector. This track welcomes participants who wish to develop sector-specific innovations, offering a pathway to realising their concepts within the supportive environment of Capacitor+.
Over the past five years, the University of Vaasa has refined its incubation methods while running various programs and structures. To enhance these efforts, the university enlisted an external consultant, Niall Shakeshaft, to conduct a Service Design exercise. This process resulted in the creation of a “meta-playbook,” which helped reorganise and unify the university’s incubation and acceleration activities. The meta-playbook is constantly being piloted through other structured programs that the university organises. Additionally, each program is open to improvement and feedback loops, to ensure that the quality and content are aligned with the regional needs. Building on this foundation, the Capacitor+ project and incubator have developed three playbooks—one for each track. Now, you have the opportunity to help shape these resources by joining the incubation process and sharing your feedback.
The physical location for Capacitor+, as well as many other entrepreneurial activities for early-stage startups happen at the Vaasa Startup Factory. The Vaasa Startup Factory (VSF) is a collaborative hub and innovation community created by all six universities in Vaasa. Operated by Hanken School of Economics, the Vaasa Startup Factory supports entrepreneurship, experimentation, and early-stage innovation across disciplines and industries. For Capacitor+, the space provides an opportunity to connect with researchers, students, and other entrepreneurs, as well as a shared office space.
The Capacitor+ project draws on the region’s strong tradition of entrepreneurship. Both the Ostrobothnian council and the City of Vaasa have expressed clear support for this vision. Still, challenges remain; many local businesses are small service providers that often rely on larger regional companies or operate within non-scalable business frameworks. To strengthen regional resilience, foster innovation, and enhance global competitiveness, initiatives such as Capacitor+ focus on advancing research, development, and innovation by promoting globally recognised entrepreneurial methodologies among local startups. These projects enable companies to elevate their RDI capabilities while also evaluating the commercial viability of their ideas.
If you’re interested in learning more or want to incubate your idea or startup within the Vaasa area – contact Riccardo Notarangelo* to book your free consultancy meeting! (*riccardo.notarangelo@uwasa.fi)