The University of Helsinki strives to be among the leading contributors to scientific and research innovation in the Nordic countries. Its substantial investment in innovation and entrepreneurship in recent years is now yielding results – some of which will be presented at Slush on 20 and 21 November 2024 and at various side events during the week.
The innovations showcased at the University stand address challenges in areas such as the energy economy, sustainability and health:
ReLIGHT is accelerating the sustainability transition by reducing the costs of green hydrogen production. A new catalyst technology enables the production of hydrogen from water with reduced quantities of platinum, an expensive metal. This groundbreaking innovation can help a number of industries achieve carbon neutrality.
Futumine has developed a new tool for the environmentally friendly recovery of gold from electronic waste. The technology helps to extract gold from electronic waste quickly and without the use of hazardous chemicals. The more efficient recycling of gold also reduces the need for mining, which is environmentally destructive.
The AI-enhanced Väki Insight helps cities select the innovations that best support democracy. Democratic innovations are new practices and technologies that enable residents to participate in critical decisions impacting their lives and communities.
Innovations in cancer care:
Multivision Diagnostics is developing AI software that makes it possible to create a tumour-specific fingerprint for each patient. This fingerprint then allows doctors to personalise treatment. ReCurE is exploring gentler cancer drugs as an alternative to chemotherapy. SOLID-IO helps design new immunotherapies for cancer patients faster and cheaper.
Y Science is the annual Official Side Event of Slush organised by the University of Helsinki's Helsinki Institute of Life Science on 20 November 2024. Y Science is an event that brings together the curious scientific community and the business world to inspire concrete actions and contributions to society in the field of life sciences.
In 2024, Y Science will host three pitching competitions focused on different themes: Health & Pharma, Food Systems and Bio-based Materials. Additionally, the event will host a "Science to Business Runway" where Unversity of Helsinki teams will pitch how they aim to commercialize their research findings. These teams aim to meet investors interested in science-based technologies, prospective business partners, and other stakeholders.
Throughout the whole Y Science event, attendees will also be able to mingle in the dedicated networking area, where they will be able to meet our event co-organizers and the teams pitching their innovation on stage.
The University commercialises innovations actively and builds strong partnerships with companies in multiple research fields. It also develops students’ entrepreneurial and career skills.
“Here at the University of Helsinki, we believe that high-quality basic research provides fertile ground for future innovations and technologies. Ideally, innovations can improve our wellbeing and help us build a more sustainable future,” says Jouni Hirvonen, Vice-Rector for Innovation.
Multidisciplinarity is among the special strengths of the University of Helsinki. There is strong commercial potential in, for example, the life sciences and AI research as well as in the social sciences and humanities.
Some 25 spinouts stemming from University research have been established between 2015 and 2024, while incubator operations have given rise to over 70 businesses in just a couple of years. Collaboration with businesses has also increased and evolved in recent years.
The University’s investment in innovation supports Finland’s RDI objectives. However, Finnish universities have the potential to create even more innovations and, through them, generate the growth needed in Finland.
InvestED Helsinki event for the educational and learning technology sector
Another Slush week highlight is InvestEd Helsinki, an event associated with Helsinki Education Hub, a recent collaboration between the University of Helsinki and the City of Helsinki. The event will bring together individuals active in the educational and learning technology sector, including researchers, teachers, entrepreneurs and investors, to network and explore new trends in the field. Anyone interested in educational and learning technology is welcome to attend the event on Tuesday, 19 November from 16.00 to 21.00 in the University of Helsinki Main Building’s Agora.
Helsinki Incubators: Hotdogs, Startups and Beers
Looking for a relaxed opportunity to connect with the University of Helsinki’s vibrant, up-and-coming startup ecosystem? Then join us for the 2nd edition of Helsinki Incubators’ Slush side-event on Day 0, 19 November!
Once again, we’ll be presenting our activities and showcasing the 75+ startups as well as the broad pool of ambitious talents whose journeys we’ve had the honour of kickstarting! We’re extremely proud of our thriving community of nearly 500 entrepreneurs and professionals and what they’ve achieved only two years after us starting the Helsinki Incubators!
This year, we're back bigger and better, and in addition to networking areas, we'll also have a pitching stage, where every 30 minutes, batches of selected Helsinki Incubators startups and pre-startups will be getting up to give 3-minute pitches.
So, come explore new opportunities & connect with 200+ likeminded entrepreneurs, experts, mentors, investors, international guests, and others in the Helsinki Incubators community
Terkko Health Hub and Health Incubator: New Nordics HealthTech Matchmaking
On November 20th, Terkko Health Hub and Health Incubator Helsinki will organise New Nordics HealthTech Matchmaking, a networking event for companies in the Life Sciences field. The aim of this Slush side event is to provide startups and investors an effortless way to connect, and to offer a gateway into the larger healthtech ecosystem. Several Finnish, Estonian and Danish startups will have a stand at the event to display their services and products. The event will feature 300 attendees, including 90+ startups and 50 investor organisations. A Slush ticket is not required to attend.
The University of Helsinki and the company responsible for the University’s technology transfer and commercialisation activities, Helsinki Innovation Services Ltd, are Slush’s main partners.