100STARTUPS Main Event (October 21-22)

In October, we bring together students, job seekers, creators, dreamers, and future founders to learn the right tools and methods to start building what you always wanted to bring to life.

You don’t need the perfect idea, you don't need a business degree, and you don't need founder experience! Just bring your curiosity and energy, meet ambitious people, share your ideas and get s*** done.

REGISTER FOR THE MAIN EVENT HERE

Check out the program for the main event, taking place at A Grid on October 21-22. Explore the booth area all days, featuring Business Espoo Advisors and ecosystem service providers ready to support your journey.

Get inspired, make connections, and turn ideas into action. Join 100STARTUPS.

*we are working on bringing you the best program possible, so changes might apply*

PROGRAM

Day 1 (October 21) - INSPIRATION

• 9:00 - DOORS OPEN
• 9:30 - 10:30 Opening Ceremony
  • Janne Laine (VP Innovation, Aalto University)
  • Mervi Katainen (Chair, Espoo City Board)
  • Samuli Pehkonen (CEO, Startup Foundation)  
• 10: 30 - 12:00 Political Panel
  • Representatives from all parliamentary parties debate how Finland can accelerate research commercialization, create more deep-tech startups, and turn scientific breakthroughs into global impact.
• 12:00 - 14:00 Pitching Competition & Startup Showcase
  • Discover the next wave of startups as founders pitch live and demo their breakthroughs.
• 14:00 - 16:00 Industry Showcase

Taking place during the day

• 9:30 - 15:00 Service Provider Stands
  • Meet the movers, shakers, and enablers powering our regional innovation landscape.
• 10:00 - 16:00 Meet Espoo's Business Advisors!
  • The team of professionals from Espoo's city will be available for you to ask your burning questions about setting up a business.

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Day 2 (October 22) - ACTION

• 9:00 - 9:30 DOORS OPEN
• 9:30 - 10:30 Keynote Speakers
  • Aape Pohjavirta (Co-Founder and CEO at Dragon Guild)
  • Dr. Riikka Mäkikoskela (Head of Aalto Centre for Radical Creativity)

10:30 - 14:30 Workshops (running throughout the day)

• 10:30 - 11:30 Aalto Inventors for Researchers - MJ Suh (Aalto Inventors)
  • Turn research into real-world impact and IP-ready opportunities.
• 10:30 - 11:30 Funding - Cameron Murphy (Aalto Startup Center)
  • Navigate investors and smart capital strategies.
• 12:00 - 12:30 Deep Tech Launch
• 12:30 - 13:30 Sales - Mike Bradshaw (Sampo Accelerator)
  • Build a sales engine that closes deals and scales
• 12:30 - 13:30 Omnia Makerspace
  • Get hands-on: prototype and create.
• 13:30 - 14:30 Elevator Pitch: Prepare for SLUSH - Angeliki Papagiannopoulou
  • Craft a crisp pitch that lands meetings and momentum.
• 13:30 - 14:30 Team Building - Oliver Rotko (Aalto Startup Center)
  • Form teams that move fast and win together.
• AFTERPARTY (TBA)! Yes, wrap up with new friends and memorable conversations. Stay tuned for details.

REGISTER FOR THE MAIN EVENT HERE

This event is organized by A Grid and Aalto Startup Center.