The partnership between Slush and the City of Helsinki focuses on attracting international talent and new businesses to our capital. Slush, rooted in a student-driven initiative, has grown into a global phenomenon, and is deeply connected in Helsinki’s innovative spirit and collaborative culture. This success is something the City of Helsinki is proud to support, championing that anything is possible when driven people work together.
Slush has become a landmark event Helsinki is known for but also serves as the entry point to Finland for many international startups and investors. Additionally, Slush’s localized events, Slush’D, organized around the globe, further amplify Helsinki’s reputation as a thriving startup hub.
“Slush is the time when everyone in the global business scene is looking at Helsinki. It attracts international players: investors, corporations, and, of course, scale-ups and start-ups.”
- Hanna Lankinen, Director, Growth and Investments, Helsinki Partners
The City of Helsinki aims to become Europe’s leading platform for pilot projects, innovative business operations, and impact investments. To achieve this goal, attracting international experts is essential, and the partnership with Slush plays a critical role in these efforts.
A recent survey revealed that Slush is viewed as more beneficial than other events by nearly half of the respondents, underlining the unique opportunities Slush offers in opening access to funding, deal flow, and overall confidence in starting a business in Helsinki. The international visitors brought in by Slush also make a significant economic contribution, with an average spend of 946€ per visitor. (Source: Slush x Helsinki Attendee Survey 2023)
“Slush is committed to growing Helsinki as a hub for innovation and investment by attracting global talent, increasing access to funding, and driving real impact on the Finnish economy.”
- Aino Bergius, CEO at Slush
Supporting Founders and Investors on all fronts
Helsinki Partners, the city’s international investment promotion agency, is collaborating with Slush on concepts such as Investor Day, facilitating valuable connections between international investors and companies. This effort strengthens Helsinki’s position as a key player in the global startup ecosystem.
Business Helsinki, which offers a wide range of services to support business innovation, tourism, and employment, is partnering with Slush to bolster the city’s startup scene and raise awareness of the business opportunities available in Helsinki. Both organizations will host a series of side events, ensuring that everyone in the city can experience the Slush magic.
“We’re hosting several international delegations to experience the famed Slush atmosphere. By organizing our business programs like Founders to Finland and Venture Nordics around Slush, we’re ensuring that these groups can take full advantage of the superb networking opportunities.”
- Johanna Huurre, Director, Strategic Initiatives, Helsinki Partners
The Helsinki Impact Lounge will complement Slush week with a range of events and programs, encouraging international guests to spend more time in Helsinki and explore the local ecosystem. Helsinki Partners is also playing a vital role in Slush’s LP investor activities, a key focus of their business efforts. Finland offers growth potential for unique opportunities for LPs, such as VC fund ROI that outperforms European comparisons, and through this collaboration, Helsinki aims to raise global awareness of these opportunities.
In addition, engaging program is organized to offer international companies an introduction to the Helsinki ecosystem and Nordic market, the Venture Nordics Program for international VCs and LPs, and the Founders to Finland Program for scale-up founders.
For more information on the programs and to sign up for the wait lists, visit the Helsinki Partners website: