Startups, investors, and the Northern magic of Slush

There are dozens of tech conferences every year. Some are glossy showcases. Others are networking marathons. But Slush, held in Helsinki every November, is something else entirely. It’s the only event I’ve attended for 17 consecutive years, and I can tell you, it never gets old; every year is different.

Slush has grown from a small gathering of 250 people back in 2008 into one of the most influential startup events on the planet. Yet, somehow, it has kept its soul. The dim lights, strobe effects, thumping electronic intros, and icy Finnish precision set it apart. It doesn’t feel like a tech conference. It feels like stepping into the future; a nice one.

For startups, Slush is a proving ground. Whether you are pre-seed or Series B, this is where deals are made, not on stage, but in the carefully orchestrated 30-minute meetings behind the scenes. If you come prepared, Slush delivers. The matchmaking tools, the investor/startup ratio, and the curated roundtables give early-stage founders actual face time with the people who write the cheques.

For investors, it has become a no-brainer. Where else can you meet 100+ hungry, well-prepared startups in two days, backed by Europe’s most promising tech ecosystems? The focus is on quality over scale: 6,000 startups, 3,500 investors, and zero fluff (unless you are a rabbit) means you are not wasting time. You’re hunting (not for rabbits, please) for the best you can get.

This year, I’m looking out for:

– The new wave of climate, space, deep tech, robotics innovations, healthcare and AI startups emerging from the Nordics, U.K., Baltics, and those travelling from the U.S. to experience the cold of the north, I mean, the magic of a 20-hour night walking on slush

– The Deep Tech track (which has become one of Slush’s most valuable offerings)

– How the event is embracing founder mental health and sustainability in the startup culture

– And of course, the slightly surreal conversations in a snow-covered Helsinki bar, where half of next year’s startup trends are casually dropped over drinks

Slush team of international volunteers:

This year, 1,600 ambitious students and recent graduates make up the amazing team of international volunteers who year after year work before, during, and after Slush to provide the best experience for startups, investors, and media representatives. They volunteer at Slush to see and learn what it takes to build world-class products and companies.

Many of them are future founders building their our future one Slush at a time. Many founders of well known startups debuted at Slush, either as volunteers or as a pre-seed startup.

But what fascinates me the most is their spirit, their energy, the way the always go the extra mile to help and provide anything one needs. I have met many volunteers over the years and I always love having a chat with them, learning about their story, what motivated them to volunteer at Slush, what plans they have for their future. They are like magic fairies making sure everything is always perfect and everyone is enjoying the event.

If you have never been to Slush before, or if you have let it drop off your radar, consider this your reminder: this is the one event that still gets it right. They deliver a quality event with impeccable organisation. It’s bold, founder-first, and distinctly Nordic in its values, which is kind of refreshing.

See you in Helsinki this November. I’ll be the one scribbling notes in the dark, as always, looking for the next startup what will fascinate me.

🔗 Check out the full speaker lineup, tickets, and programme at slush.org