GSAI

Growth and scaling through AI

Growth and Scaling through AI (GSAI) is a 9-month scale-up programme designed to support startups in expanding to new international markets through the strategic integration of artificial intelligence into their business operations. The programme combines business development, AI capability building, investor readiness, and internationalisation support to help startups grow efficiently and sustainably. 

Through a series of expert-led workshops, market discovery missions, and personalised mentoring, participating companies will develop practical skills in applying AI, refining their value proposition, and preparing for global expansion. The programme consists of eight full onsite workshop days held across Estonia, Sweden, and Finland. 

Why apply? 

• AI-driven business development 
  Strengthen your value proposition and business model with AI applications tailored to your operational needs. 

• Market entry support 
  Participate in structured market discovery missions in the Central Baltic region and assess readiness for new EU markets. 

• Investor readiness 
  Prepare your pitch and receive feedback from international investors to support future funding opportunities. 

• Expert mentoring 
  Access tailored guidance from experienced mentors in AI, business development, and international scaling. 

• Funded participation 
  Travel and accommodation costs are covered for 1–2 team members during the in-person programme sprints. 

Fifteen startups from the Central Baltic region (including five from Estonia) will be selected to participate in the 2025–2026 cohort. The programme includes the following components: 

• AI 101 – Basic AI Skills (online) 
  A foundational workshop covering key AI concepts, real-world applications, and tools for identifying potential AI use cases in your business. 
  Date: June 3, 2025 
• Sprint 1 – Scaling Launchpad (Gävle, Sweden) 
  A deep dive into scalability, market readiness, and identifying opportunities to apply AI in your target market. This sprint sets the foundation for your scale-up plan. 
  Date:  June 30 – July 1, 2025 
• Sprint 2 – AI Studio (Stockholm, Sweden) 
  A two-day workshop focused on AI opportunity mapping, data evaluation, risk assessment, and responsible AI deployment. Participants begin developing their AI application roadmap. 
  Date: September 23-24, 2025 
• Sprint 3 – Growth Essentials (Tallinn, Estonia) 
  This sprint focuses on growth hacking strategies, team productivity, and market entry sales development. It includes the launch of the market discovery mission. 
  Date: October 22-23, 2025 
• Sprint 4 – Growth Convergence (Salo, Finland) 
  The final sprint includes a review of AI development, refinement of the scale-up strategy, and investor pitching preparation. 
  Date: February 3-4, 2026 

To be eligible for the programme, startups must meet the following criteria: 

• Founded within the past 5 years 

• Achieved initial product-market fit in the home market 

• Have a hypothesis for an AI-augmented product or business model 

• Board-level commitment to international growth 

• Access to relevant customer or application data 

• Actively involved team and co-founders 

• Open to international investment 

Application deadline: May 15, 2025
Apply here: Application form

The Estonian project manager for the programme is Kristiina Libe, Project Manager at Tehnopol Startup Incubator. For further information, please contact: kristiina.libe@tehnopol.ee 

GSAI – Growth and Scaling through AI is a joint initiative by Movexum (Gävle, Sweden), Yrityssalo (Salo, Finland), AI Sweden (Stockholm, Sweden), and Tehnopol (Tallinn, Estonia). The programme runs from 2025 to 2028, supporting 45 startups from the Central Baltic region in scaling their business through the strategic application of AI. The aim is to help startups expand or improve their value proposition or business model to enter their first or next EU market. 

Funded by: Interreg Central Baltic Programme