Turning Classroom Ideas into a Startup

Bahez Karim shares how a simple class project at HAMK sparked the idea for his company and the lessons learned along the way.

Bahez Karim shares how a HAMK class project inspired his entrepreneurial journey and the lessons he learned along the way. We asked him four key questions about starting his company, overcoming challenges, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

1. What inspired you to start your own company, and how did HAMK influence your journey?

The spark came during a HAMK project focused on creating a waste-free city. “I realized coffee grounds could be reused as fuel,” Bahez recalls. “HAMK’s labs, equipment, and guidance helped me turn that idea into reality.” Beyond technical resources, HAMK instilled values like sustainability and circular economy that remain central to his company today.

2. What were the biggest challenges you faced as a founder, and how did you overcome them?

Perfecting the product was a major hurdle—over 300 prototypes were tested before finding the right solution. “Bringing in a product development professional and securing strong pre-orders helped overcome skepticism and ensure success,” he explains.

3. How do you see the role of education in shaping future entrepreneurs?

“Education provides both practical tools and new perspectives,” Bahez says. “At HAMK, I gained technical knowledge and learned how sustainability and circular economy principles could shape a business. That foundation was key to my journey.”

4. What advice would you give to students considering entrepreneurship?

“Don’t stay alone with your idea. Talk to people, join incubators, and take action,” he advises. “Ideas only succeed when you commit fully and act on them.”

Bahez is also looking forward to sharing his story in an upcoming webinar. He hopes students will see that entrepreneurship is possible, and that even a simple class project can spark a company. “I want to inspire students to trust their ideas and take that first step toward making them real.”