ARCTIC15 is more than just what happens inside the venue. Throughout the ARCTIC15 week, we, and our partners, investors, founders, and ecosystem players host gatherings across Helsinki.
From intimate networking dinners to industry meetups, rooftop cocktails, and private investor sessions, Side Events are where many of the most memorable conversations happen.
These events are designed to bring the community together in smaller settings, allowing for deeper discussions, new connections, and meaningful follow-ups beyond the main program.
Stay Tuned
The Side Events schedule will be continuously updated as we confirm new gatherings and experiences around the city. Check back regularly to discover the latest additions during the ARCTIC15 week.
VIP Experiences
June 11
15:00 - 17:00
AI In SaaS Companies – Current Landscape And Opportunities
Invitation Only
- Jonathan Andersin from DLA Piper Finland on the Nordic VC Report & financing landscape
- VC perspective on AI-driven growth by Juha Ruohonen
- Two rounds of group discussion – because the best insights come from the room
- Sami Miettinen from Translink Corporate Finance on SaaS pricing models and the real effects of AI
- Free mingling to wrap it up
If you’re a SaaS founder, operator, or investor, this is exactly the kind of room you want to be in. The Nordic SaaS ecosystem is at an inflection point, and AI is reshaping everything from pricing to fundraising.
June 11
18:00
VIP Rooftop Cocktails & Sauna
Invitation Only
As the day winds down, selected guests are invited to an exclusive evening at one of Helsinki’s iconic rooftop sauna venue at Kaapelitehdas. Enjoy relaxed rooftop cocktails, panoramic views over the city, and the uniquely Finnish experience of sauna and conversation. This informal setting offers the perfect opportunity to continue discussions from the day, connect with fellow founders and investors, and experience a small piece of Finnish culture.
June 12
08:50 - 09:50
Investor Breakfast by LUKE
Invitation Only
Join the Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE) for an exclusive breakfast event tailored for investors. As a leader in nature-based science innovations, LUKE invites you to connect with fellow investors, share market insights, and explore groundbreaking investment opportunities in natural resources and sustainable development.
This session is designed to give you an early look at science-backed innovations moving from the lab to the market. Attendees will hear pitches directly from LUKE’s upcoming spinoffs and Research-to-Business (R2B) teams, get a sneak peek at the next wave of emerging pipeline projects, and network directly with the innovators and fellow investors over breakfast.
June 12
10:00 - 11:50
Butterfly Ventures Side Event
Invitation Only for LPs
The Chip Industry: What No Investor Can Afford to Ignore
Ville Salmi ― Head of Finland at MediaTek
Increasing the Efficiency and Manufacturing Yield of Semiconductor Chips
Cleaning Chips at the Atomic Level to Keep Moore’s Law Alive – SisuSemi Oy
Disrupting Technologies Based on Chip-Level Innovations
Full RGB from One Wafer: The Display Technology That Makes OLED Obsolete – Polar Light Technologies AB
A Quantum-Level Leap in Existing Technologies
100x Any CPU, Any Architecture: The Claim That Made the World’s Best Chip Engineers Listen – Flow Computing Oy
AI on Real-World Chips with Predictable Outcomes
Real AI on Any Chip: 94% Less Energy, 16x Faster Inference – EmbeDL AB
June 12
18:30
VIP Dinner
Invitation Only
To close the second day of ARCTIC15, a small group of invited guests will gather for a curated VIP dinner with fellow investors, founders, speakers, and partners.
This evening is designed for meaningful conversations in a more intimate setting — a place where new ideas, partnerships, and collaborations often begin.
The dinner will take place at a carefully selected Helsinki venue and is available by invitation.
June 12
19:00
ARCTIC15 After Party
End of Day 2
The ARCTIC15 After Party brings together founders, investors, speakers, and partners to continue the discussions in a relaxed setting over drinks in the heart of Helsinki. It’s where many of the day’s introductions turn into deeper conversations, new friendships, and unexpected collaborations.
The exact location will be revealed closer to the event. Stay tuned for more details and be ready to join the ARCTIC15 community for a memorable evening in the city.
Workshops
Day 1
Wätti
11:00 - 11:50
Entering into the Finnish Market: A Practical Guide for International Entrepreneurs
Dreaming of launching your startup in Finland? This immersive workshop provides foreign founders with a comprehensive roadmap to navigate Finland’s dynamic business environment. Explore practical steps for setting up your company, from selecting the optimal legal structure and securing essential immigration permits to managing operational compliance, taxation, accounting, and insurance.
Led by Metic Global Oy, experts in Nordic business relocation and international entrepreneurship, this session equips you with actionable strategies, resources, and clarity to confidently kick off your Finnish startup journey, turning your vision into a thriving business.
Selin Jurvanen
Business Advisor, METIC
Day 1
Wätti
12:00 - 12:50
You’re Probably Building the Wrong Regulatory Strategy
A live founder workshop using Clarifi’s structured decision engine to identify product classification, market pathway, and hidden risk before scaling.
Many startups unknowingly make product, AI, and claims decisions that fundamentally change their regulatory pathway long before they realise it.
This interactive founder workshop uses Clarifi — a structured regulatory decision engine for early-stage companies in health, AI, digital health, and regulated technology — to walk through live startup scenarios and product decisions in real time.
Rather than a traditional compliance lecture, the session is designed as a practical “regulatory reality check” where founders explore how intended purpose, software functionality, AI use, marketing claims, and clinical impact influence classification, evidence expectations, FDA/MDR pathway logic, and commercial strategy.
Participants will see how the same product can move between wellness, medical device, or AI system depending on how it is positioned and developed.
The goal is for founders to leave with clearer strategic direction, a better understanding of hidden regulatory risk, and a more structured framework for making product decisions before expensive mistakes compound.
This workshop is designed for founders, product teams, and early-stage operators building products in health, AI, digital health, biotech, or other regulated sectors who want clearer strategic direction before scaling.
Day 1
Wätti
13:00 - 13:50
Close Better Deals: Negotiation Tips for Commercial Contracts
Want to sharpen your negotiation edge? Join experienced IP, tech, and startup lawyers from DLA Piper Attorneys Finland as they share practical, real-world tips for negotiating stronger commercial contracts. This session will cover key pressure points – like IP ownership and risk allocation – helping you spot pitfalls, protect your interests, and close deals with confidence. Perfect for anyone looking to negotiate smarter and achieve better outcomes.
Day 1
Wätti
14:00 - 14:50
Sprint Funding for Early-Stage Innovation: What Startups Need to Know
Considering Business Finland’s Sprint funding for your startup? This session offers a practical introduction to Sprint and helps founders understand when it is a good fit for their company. We will explore how Sprint supports early-stage innovation, validation and business development, what kinds of projects it is designed to fund, and how startups can improve their readiness before applying. The session will consist of a presentation followed by Q&A.
Day 2
Wätti
13:00 - 13:50
Legal Readiness for Fundraising:
What Startups Must Have in Place Before Talking to Investors
A practical, interactive session for founders on the legal essentials that shape investor confidence, reduce deal friction, and prepare a company for a smoother fundraising process. We will also guide founders on how to prepare their company legally before entering investor discussions.
Masterclasses
Go beyond inspiration, deliver real value.
Masterclasses give partners the stage to host hands-on, content-driven sessions for a highly targeted audience. These sessions are designed to provide practical insights, tools, and expertise whether it’s scaling strategies, fundraising tactics, product growth, or emerging technologies.
Unlike traditional talks, Masterclasses are interactive and focused, allowing partners to engage directly with participants and showcase their expertise in a meaningful way.Partners can define the topic, format, and target audience ensuring the right people are in the room and the content aligns with their strategic goals.
Founder Roundtables
Small, moderated discussions where founders at similar stages share challenges and insights. Partners can host around a specific theme (e.g. scaling to the US, Series A readiness, AI go-to-market).
Why it works:Highly relevant, practical, and attractive for founders—while giving partners direct access to a targeted group.
VC Office Hours / 1:1 Sessions
Direct access to capital.Structured sessions where selected startups can book short 1:1 meetings with investors. Can be pre-matched based on stage, sector, and interest.
Why it works:Very tangible value for startups → increases demand and engagement.
Thematic Meetups (e.g. AI, Health, Climate)
Bring your niche audience together.Casual but focused gatherings around a specific industry or topic. These can be hosted at the venue or externally.
Why it works:Easy to scale, great for community partners, and helps segment the audience meaningfully.
Interested in Hosting a Side Event?
We welcome selected partners and ecosystem players to organize official ARCTIC15 Side Events.
If your company or organization would like to host a gathering for founders, investors, or the wider tech community during ARCTIC15 week, please get in touch with our partnerships team.
You can also explore partnership opportunities via our Become a Partner page.
Get Your Ticket
for 15th Anniversary Edition!
WORKSHOP
Host a focused session and engage directly with attendees through hands-on discussions, expert insights, and practical learning experiences.
2950€
Including 13.5% VAT – 3,348.25€
SIDE EVENT
Create your own networking experience alongside ARCTIC15 and connect with the community in a more intimate and branded setting.
5850€
Including 13.5% VAT – 6,639.75€
All tickets are non-refundable, but you may request to change the name if you can’t make it up. Click here for Terms and Conditions.