Y Science 2025 – Nature and Forest Pitching Competition

Viikki Wood and Forest Innovation Hub hosts together with Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) the Nature and Forest Pitching Competition in Y Science 2025!
Bringing forth the value of science-based business

2025, hosted by Viikki Wood and Forest Innovation Hub and Natural Resources Institute Finland, seeks for the most promising early-stage startups and teams developing future commercial solutions to promote sustainable forest bioeconomy, halt nature loss and strengthen biodiversity. 

The first stage of the competition took place at Forest Industry Days (, 23 October 2025) where eight semifinalists Laukansaari Giants, , , , , , FireSafe and Carbon Twins pitched their ideas. From these imposing teams, our prestigious jury members Erik Kolehmainen, Pia Erkinheimo and Viktor Sundholm qualified four finalists Laukansaari Giants, LignoSphere, KOKO Forest and HYGRON.

Y Science is organized in Messukeskus Siipi 10.30am-15.00pm. The event consists of networking and stage program compiled of pitching competitions in different life-science related fields: Health and Pharma, Food Systems, Nature and Forest and Science to Business Runway. Our four finalists will pitch on Nature and Forest pitching competition 12.45pm onwards.

The agenda for Y Science Nature and Forest Pitching competition is now published!

Nature and Forest Pitching Competition 12.45-13.35pm

Host: Mikko Pohjola, Head of Viikki Wood & Forest Innovation Hub, University of Helsinki

Keynotes

Anu Kaukovirta, VP Production Systems, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)

Karita Kinnunen-Raudaskoski, CTO and Partner, Fiberwood Oy

Nature and Forestry Pitching Competition

Teams

  • LignoSphere - Eero Knuutila
  • Laukansaari Giants - Mikko Tikkinen
  • Koko Forest - Aki Snellman
  • HYGRON - Vinay Kumar

Jury

  • Pia Erkinheimo, Partner, Investor Relations and ESG, Nordic Nano
  • Reetta Ilo Gilbert, CEO, San Francisco Agency
  • Erik Kolehmainen, Vice President, Coporate Venturing, Metsä Spring
  • Viktor Sunholm, Project Manager, M.INC

Announcement of the winners 14.10pm

We are thrilled to have such an amazing group of teams, speakers and experts onboard.

You are warmly welcome to join Y Science, meet our amazing teams and cheer them for the win!

Y Science brings together the curious scientific community and the business world to inspire concrete actions, innovation and contributions to society in the field of life sciences.The event originates from a collaboration between  and the . In 2025, the event is organized by the Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE together with ,  , , , and . 

Y Science is a Signature Side Event at Slush, the biggest startup conference in the Nordics.