Slush is the biggest gathering for startups and venture capitalists in the world, with 5,500 startup founders and operators, and 3,300 investors attending from around the world. The event pushes the limits on creativity and technology, offering attendees a unique opportunity to meet and network with other like-minded people both through the official program, as well as the more than 300 side events organized by partners and the wider startup community. 

Helsinki Partners organizes two flagship programs, Founders to Finland and Venture Nordics, inviting international entrepreneurs and investors to unravel the potential of Helsinki. Participants will have a chance to immerse themselves in this hidden Nordic gem, one of the world's most vibrant startup ecosystems. They will also get a free ticket to Slush 2024, the world’s biggest gathering for startups and venture capitalists.

The New Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Iceland) have grown into a disproportionate source of innovation and gained fame as a unicorn factory only second to Silicon Valley.

Helsinki is the epicenter of the New Nordics region: the city’s exceptional support for innovation, commitment to green transition, and dedication to quality of life attract top talent and significant investments. Helsinki is rapidly emerging as a leading destination for scale-up founders and venture capitalists, offering unparalleled opportunities for growth, innovation, and investment. It is also the capital of Finland, the happiest country in the World for the 7th time in a row.

Despite all this, Helsinki still holds a lot of untapped potential in terms of ROI, top talent, and impact for scale-ups. The Founders to Finland and Venture Nordics programs are arranged to offer international entrepreneurs and investors to experience the Nordic magic for themselves.

Both programs include carefully curated activities, a free ticket to SLUSH, as well as access to exclusive side events and valuable meetings with startup and investor ecosystem influencers.

Founders to Finland a six-day program

• Founders to Finland is a six-day program (18-23 November 2024) designed for international founders who have recently completed Series B or C funding. Participants gain valuable connections and insights into the Nordic market and attend Slush 2024 with free tickets. Helsinki’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and quality of life makes it ideal for scale-ups. Testimonials from the three previous editions of the program highlight the impact this initiative has had on fostering investment in Finnish startups.

Venture Nordics is the leading program

• Venture Nordics is the leading program for international VC funds and LPs aiming to expand their investments in Europe and the Nordics. Coinciding with Slush 2024, the seven-day program (15-21 November 2024) offers an in-depth look at Helsinki’s high-performing funds and dynamic startup ecosystem. Finnish funds consistently outperform the European average, and Helsinki’s strategic location enhances market access. This is the second edition of the program. The first edition had 9 participants managing a total AUM of around 12 billion euros.

Founders and investors interested in the programs are encouraged to submit an application for the chance to explore Helsinki's startup and venture ecosystems and experience the Slush 2024 gathering first-hand.

• Founders to Finland application

• Venture Nordics application