Parent-Founder Equation

​Building a startup. Building a family. How to make both work?

​A Slush Week gathering for founders, entrepreneurs, startup professionals and future parents.

Building a business takes ambition, energy and commitment. Starting or growing a family brings its own changes, decisions and demands.

When both are part of the life you're creating, questions about time, relationships, identity, support and wellbeing become impossible to ignore.

Can you build a company and make room for a family? What happens to ambition when life changes? And who takes care of the person behind the business?

Join us at Abrazo Studio (3 min walk from the main conference venue!) during Slush for an open, thoughtful and interactive gathering exploring the human side of entrepreneurship.

Over two hours, we'll share lunch, hear different perspectives in an honest panel conversation, experience Argentine tango as a playful way of exploring communication and connection, and meet others navigating similar questions.

WHAT TO EXPECT
11.00 Shared lunch & introductions

Start with a bowl of lentil soup and meet fellow founders, entrepreneurs and professionals — without formal pitching or awkward elevator speeches.

11.30 Panel: How to build a family while growing a startup?
An honest conversation about ambition, parenthood, relationships, wellbeing, changing priorities and the support founders need.

​Panel: Riikka Ilmonen (/steath), Rosalia Pihlajasaari (thenest.fi), Sona Jany (abrazo.fi), hosted by Anna Neve (https://founderside.org/).

12.10 Networking in Motion: Trying Argentine Tango!
A short, beginner-friendly experience led by Nadia Tapia, founder of Abrazo Studio.
Tango becomes a way to explore listening, attention, initiative and responsiveness through movement.
No dance experience or partner is needed, and there is no requirement for close embrace.

12.40 Meaningful networking
Guided conversations designed to go beyond job titles.

Founders, entrepreneurs, freelancers and people working in the startup ecosystem who are:

• already parents
• expecting a child
• thinking about starting a family
• balancing business ambitions with relationships, care and wellbeing
• simply curious about how entrepreneurship and personal life can coexist
People of all genders are welcome.

You don't need to be a Slush attendee, a parent or a dancer to join.

Come as you are — with a business, an idea, a question or simply curiosity.


EVENT DETAILS

Thursday, 19 November 2026
11:00–13:00
Abrazo Studio, Opastinsilta 10, Pasila, Helsinki (3 min walk from the main Slush venue!)
Lentil soup included
No dance experience required
Hosted by Anna Neve, a tech community builder with background in MBA+psychology.
Argentine tango experience led by Nadia Tapia, founder of Abrazo Studio.