Spend the summer on something you are passionate about.
Summer of Something runs June to early September. Bring an idea, build it, show it in public in September. You get a weekly rhythm and other people doing the same thing.
Applications open in May 2026.
- 2.5 moMid June to early September
- 1x/wklight check-in rhythm
- Freeto apply and join
- €50-100microgrants available
A summer for makers.
A lot of good projects die in the summer. Nobody is around and there's no reason to ship. So we set up a rhythm and a public deadline.
It's not an accelerator. No pitch, no demo day, no equity, no curriculum. You work on your thing, show up to check-ins, and share what you made at the end. Based in Helsinki, remote is fine.
If you make stuff...
Works best for people who like a bit of structure and other people around.
- Designers, engineers, artists, researchers, generalists.
- Early in your maker years, or getting back into it.
- Working solo or with a small team.
- Happier shipping a rough thing than polishing a perfect plan.
- Self-directed, and willing to share progress every week.
Your project can be an app, film, album, zine, prototype, research, event, game, object. It needs a clear output and a date you can finish by.
Why you'll actually finish.
Most summer projects die quietly in July. These are the reasons this one tends not to.
A real deadline.
The showcase is on a date, in public, with people coming. You can't quietly slip it.
A small cohort.
You'll know everyone's project by week three. Hard to ghost a room that knows your name.
The right length.
Long enough to finish something real. Short enough that the end is always in sight.
Microgrants.
€50-€100 for selected projects: materials, tools, software, printing.
Something to point at.
You end with a thing, not a folder of half-ideas and good intentions.
No grades, no gatekeeping.
Nobody's evaluating you. The only pressure is the one you signed up for.
How the summer runs.
2.5 months, one check-in a week, public showcase at the end.
- Week 0
Kickoff.
Meet everyone. Pick your project. Set your first milestone.
- Week 1 - 10
Weekly rhythm.
Check-ins, co-working, steady work on the thing.
- Early Sept
Public showcase.
Show what you built to everyone else!
A normal week:
One short check-in.
What you did, what's next, what you're stuck on.
One or two co-working blocks.
On the calendar. Show up if you want.
Peers, not assignments.
Nobody is grading you. People are just around.
A finish line you can aim at.
Early September, public showcase. If you want to show what you made, people will come to see it. That's the end of the program.
Demo tables, short talks, screenings, performances, a mingle. Whatever format fits your project. Showing is optional.
Questions.
What counts as a project?+
Anything with a clear output and a date you can finish by. App, film, prototype, zine, album, research, object.
Do I need a team or an idea?+
No. Solo or team, both fine. Vague direction is fine too. Apply and tell us about it.
How much time does it take?+
A weekly check-in (~15 min), plus whatever you put into the project. Co-working is optional.
Is this for startups?+
Not specifically. If yours turns into a startup, fine. If it stays art, research, or a prototype, also fine.
Can I participate remotely?+
Yes. Check-ins are online. Co-working is in person in Helsinki when possible. Showcase can include digital formats.
What does it cost?+
Nothing.
Tell me about the microgrants.+
€50-€100 for selected projects: materials, tools, software, printing, small production costs.
What if I'm traveling this summer?+
Miss a week, join remotely, come back when you're around.