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Jyväskylä, Finland

Tiimiakatemia (Team Academy)

Earn a degree by building a successful business.

No classrooms
Real companies
Team coaching
Original model
Image of Tiimiakatemia (Team Academy)
"The best way to learn business is to do business."

About Tiimiakatemia (Team Academy)

Tiimiakatemia (Team Academy) was founded in 1993 at JAMK University of Applied Sciences in Jyväskylä, Finland, when Johannes Partanen posted a note: 'Do you want to go on a trip around the world and learn some marketing on the side?' It started a revolution. The program replaced classrooms with open offices, teachers with team coaches, and exams with real company performance. Students form teams of 15-20 and create real companies that they run for 3.5 years, earning a BBA degree. Theory is pulled from books and dialogue sessions as needed. The model has spread to 12+ countries and directly inspired LEINN, MTA, and Team Academy Netherlands.

Disruptive approach and innovative methodology

Zero classrooms

Open offices replace classrooms. No lecture halls, no desks facing a board.

Real companies for 3.5 years

Teams run legal businesses with real revenue, real clients, real profit and loss.

Team coach, not teacher

Coaches facilitate dialogue and reflection but never teach or give answers.

Reading circles + dialogue

Theory comes from books chosen by teams, discussed in structured dialogue sessions.

Impact and recognition

  • Founded 1993 — the original model that inspired LEINN

  • 96% employment rate within 6 months of graduation

  • 39% are entrepreneurs within 6 months of graduating

  • Spread to 12+ countries worldwide