ESPOO, Finland – In partnership with Aalto University, Nokia and Microsoft have each pledged up to €9mn towards the development of a new mobile application incubator programme.

AppCampus, as the project will be known, will help create a new generation of mobile startups.

It seeks to further boost Finland’s leadership in the mobile field, funding, coaching and hosting entrepreneurs and students from across the world as they create new apps for Windows Phone and Nokia’s other platforms.

Successful applicants to the programme will be mentored by veterans in the mobile field, helping them turn their ideas into money-making ventures. They will retain the full rights to their intellectual property.

Nokia EVP Kai Öistämö said that the programme will: “enable new and existing developers to create next generation mobile apps – and unique user experiences. The partnership will allow developers to ideate and monetize business opportunities, globally.”

Would-be mobile entrepreneurs will be able to apply to join the AppCampus programme at appcampus.aalto.fi