Scaling Opportunity: Nordics & The World
SCALING OPPORTUNITY: NORDICS & THE WORLD
Co-hosted event by Epicenter Helsinki and Lähde Impact
15 September 2026
Epicenter Helsinki, Mikonkatu 9
One day bringing together founders, investors, business leaders, international operators and market experts to explore where Nordic companies can grow next.
Scaling Opportunity: Nordics & The World is the founding international business forum.
The focus is simple: new markets, new relationships and practical opportunities for international growth.
Up to 300 people. One programme. The right room.
WHAT IS SCALING OPPORTUNITY?
International expansion rarely happens through information alone.
It happens through people.
The right customer. The right investor. The right local partner. Someone who understands the market. Someone who can make an introduction. Someone who has already made the mistakes you are trying to avoid.
Scaling Opportunity brings those people into the same room.
The programme combines short panel discussions, international market perspectives, company stories and networking throughout the day.
We are bringing together people from Finland, the Nordics and international markets who are actively building, investing, buying, selling and opening doors across borders.
A useful room is built, not counted.
WHO IS IN THE ROOM?
Already in the room
Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce brings direct access to the Enterprise Europe Network, market intelligence and help finding international partners.
Elinvoimakeskus (Team Finland) provides advice and funding pathways for growth, export and internationalisation.
VIILEE SOLUTIONS supports EU companies entering the US market as a strategic partner for smooth, profitable expansion.
BSV Ventures and Gorilla Capital bring investor perspectives focused on growth and scaling.
Aalto University contributes its startup and innovation ecosystem, international networks and practical scaling support.
And many more.
Founders & CEOs
Nordic companies looking at their next international market and international companies interested in Finland and the Nordic region.
Investors
VCs, angels, family offices and other investors looking for companies, opportunities and international deal flow.
Business & Market Leaders
People working across sales, partnerships, market entry, purchasing, international growth and business development.
International Networks
Chambers of commerce, trade organisations, embassies, international organisations and ecosystem leaders with networks across different markets.
Corporate Decision Makers
Companies looking for technologies, suppliers, partners, investment opportunities and new ideas.
THE PROGRAMME
08:00
Doors open, registration and morning coffee
08:30
Scaling Opportunity begins
The programme moves through a series of focused conversations about international business, new markets and sectors where Nordic expertise has global potential.
Topics include:
International market entry into the largest global markets
Investment, capital and growth through M&A
Ecosystems and institutions that open markets
Energy transition
Critical minerals and the new industrial race
Deep tech and health
Gaming, creative industries and global brands
Building trusted networks and partnerships for scale
Most panel discussions will feature 2 to 4 panelists and a moderator.
Sessions are kept focused so there is time for conversations between them and throughout the day.
The programme will continue to develop as speakers and international participants are confirmed.
SPEAKERS & PANELISTS
The first speakers and panelists include business leaders, founders, investors and international market experts from Finland and abroad.
Peter Vesterbacka
Entrepreneur & Co-Initiator, Finest Bay Area Development
Jarmo Sareva
Ambassador for Creative Industries, Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Kalle Saarikannas
Senior GTM Lead, AI Business Solutions, Microsoft
Aino Kauranen
Strategic Business Partner, Meta
Minna Korpi
Director, Nasdaq Helsinki
Janne Waltonen
Global Marketer, ex-Supercell & ex-WPP
Kati Uusi-Rauva
Director, EIT Culture & Creativity North
Pia Pakarinen
CEO, Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce
Anita Kalergis
Founder & CEO, Ipsum Consulting MEA
Samuli Savo
Chief Ventures Officer, Reaktor
Hannaliisa Johnson
Primus Motor of Team Finland at Economic Development Centre of Uusimaa, Elinvoimakeskus
Kustaa Valtonen
Founding Partner, Finest Bay Area Development
Erica Terranova
Head of Growth, Moomin Characters
Aaron Michelin
Founder, Enersense International
Mikael Malmivaara
Co-Founder, Northlink Partners
Juho Järvelä
CEO, Magna Capital
Erik Åkesson
Founder, Erik Ventures
Tomi Tikkala
Strategic Partnerships & Commercial Leader, Karta
Sanna Koskela
CEO & Co-Founder, Nuanic
Seppo Ihalainen
Founder, ecogrid.energy
Tatu Petersen-Jessen
CEO, Odd Latent
Valtteri Leitola
Founder, Intercontinental Sustainable Racing
Additional speakers will be announced as the programme develops.
FROM THE STAGE TO THE ROOM
The panels are only part of the day.
Scaling Opportunity is designed to make it easy to continue the conversation after someone leaves the stage.
Meet a founder entering your market.
Find a company you could invest in.
Talk to someone who has already built a business in the region you are considering.
Meet a potential customer or commercial partner.
Connect with people who can introduce you to the right networks.
The goal is not to collect as many business cards as possible.
The goal is to meet a few people who matter.
ONE LOCATION FOR THE WHOLE DAY
The Forum takes place at Epicenter Helsinki, Mikonkatu 9, right in the centre of Helsinki.
THE LOUNGE
The Lounge is the home of the main programme.
One stage, one audience and one shared programme keep speakers, partners and participants in the same environment throughout the event.
THE INNER YARD
Later in the day, the event moves into Epicenter's Inner Yard.
This is where the programme becomes more informal and conversations continue into the afterwork.
No transfers between venues. No complicated logistics.
Just a natural transition from the programme into the evening.
AFTERWORK
Good conversations rarely end when the final panel does.
After the main programme, speakers, partners and participants are invited to stay for the Scaling Opportunity Afterwork at Epicenter.
The Inner Yard gives us a more relaxed setting to continue conversations, make introductions and meet people we may have missed during the programme.
More information about the afterwork programme and drinks will be announced closer to the event.
TICKETS
GENERAL ADMISSION
€119 + VAT
Limited availability.
Full access to the Forum programme, networking and official afterwork.
INTERNATIONAL DELEGATES
A limited number of delegate passes are reserved for international business delegations, trade organisations and invited ecosystem partners.
Please contact us if you are bringing a delegation to Helsinki.
MEDIA
A limited number of complimentary media accreditations are available.
Applications are subject to approval.
WHY COME?
Come if you are looking for your next market.
Come if you are looking for Nordic companies.
Come if you are raising or deploying capital.
Come if you are responsible for international sales.
Come if your organisation can help companies enter new markets.
Come if you have something useful to bring into the room.
And especially come if there is someone you do not know yet who could change what happens next.
300 PEOPLE. NOT 3,000.
We are deliberately keeping the founding edition focused.
Scaling Opportunity is built for a maximum of 300 participants.
That means you can actually find the person you heard on stage.
You can continue a conversation over coffee.
You can introduce two people who should know each other.
And you can leave knowing more people than when you arrived.
A useful room is built, not counted.
EVENT DETAILS
Scaling Opportunity: Nordics & The World
Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Epicenter Helsinki
Mikonkatu 9
00100 Helsinki
Doors open at 08:00.
Main programme begins at 08:30.
Afterwork follows the main programme.
The detailed programme, speakers and participant information will be updated continuously before the event.
PARTNERS
Scaling Opportunity is built together with companies and organisations that want to help Nordic businesses grow internationally and connect international opportunities with the Nordic market.
Partner organisations will be visible throughout the event and integrated into relevant parts of the programme and networking experience.
Interested in joining as a partner?
Official Event Partner:
Official Platform Partner:
SEE YOU IN HELSINKI
One day.
One room.
Founders, investors, buyers, market experts and international networks.
Practical conversations about where the next opportunities are and who can help make them happen.
Scaling Opportunity: Nordics & The World
15 September 2026
Epicenter Helsinki
Find your next market. Meet the people who can open it.
Organised by Lähde Impact Oy and EP Center Finland Oy
Linkedin: -lahde/