MidGuard Systems from Vaasa to Pitch in Silicon Valley
Midguard Systems from Vaasa Goes to Silicon Valley – From Local Innovation to Global Impact!
When: Wednesday, October 28. Where: Startup Factory | University of Vaasa.
From Vaasa to the world stage! 🌍🇫🇮🇺🇸
Meet Midguard Systems, winner of the Next Level Growth Challenge – Scale-up Category, as co-founders Simon Hästö and Mikael Holmqvist prepare their winning pitch for the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco, November 4–6!
This is a story of how international collaboration creates real opportunities.
Meet co-founders Simon Hästö and Mikael Holmqvist, hear their story, experience their competition pitch, and help them make it even stronger!
Program
10:00–10:10 | Opening & Welcome
Welcome by the host and organizer
Vaasa Goes Silicon Valley – how collaboration between the University of Vaasa, Next Level Growth, Nordic Impact Week Silicon Valley, and Jeff Wallace and Lars Ling created this opportunity
Why global connections matter for regional growth
10:10–10:20 | Meet Midguard Systems
Introduction of co-founders Simon Hästö and Mikael Holmqvist
The company, its innovation and global ambitions
From winning the Next Level Growth Challenge to representing Vaasa in Silicon Valley
10:20–10:25 | The Pitch – Silicon Valley Edition
🎤 Midguard Systems delivers its 4-minute Startup World Cup pitch!
Hear the pitch as international investors and judges in San Francisco hear it.
Feedback from Paul Kallmes, Silicon Valley Investor Readiness Coach.
10:25–10:45 | Fireside Chat – The Founders' Journey
An inspiring conversation with Simon and Mikael:
How did the Midguard Systems journey begin?
What have been the biggest breakthroughs and challenges?
What does winning the Next Level Growth Challenge mean?
Why Silicon Valley, and why now?
What are their expectations and ambitions for San Francisco?
What would success look like beyond the competition?
10:45–11:10 | Interactive Pitch Challenge – Help Midguard Win!
Now it's your turn!
An open, constructive conversation with Mikael and Simon, entrepreneurs, investors, innovation leaders, mentors, and ecosystem partners.
What makes the pitch unforgettable?
Is the global market opportunity clear?
What questions might Silicon Valley investors ask?
How can the story, delivery, and investment proposition become even stronger?
Who can open doors to potential customers, investors, and strategic partners?
11:10–11:35 | Closing – Next Stop, San Francisco!
Final reflections, encouragement, and next steps.
Let's help Midguard Systems deliver their best pitch ever!
Everyone Is Welcome!
Whether you are an entrepreneur, student, investor, business leader, or simply passionate about innovation, come and contribute your experience, questions, and connections.
It started when Jan Segerstam and the University of Vaasa joined Nordic Impact Week Silicon Valley in October 2025. That connection brought Silicon Valley entrepreneur and startup mentor Jeff Wallace to Vaasa Energy Week in March 2026, helping build the bridge between Next Level Growth and Startup World Cup.
The partnership runs deeper: Lars Ling and Nordic Impact Week welcomed Jeff Wallace to Nordic Future in Sundsvall, already back in 2017.
Now, nine years later, that relationship is helping a Vaasa-based scale-up reach the global startup stage!
🎤 Join the pitch rehearsal and support Midguard Systems on their journey to Silicon Valley!
📅 Wednesday, October 28, 2026
📍 Startup Factory, Fabriikki, Room 249, University of Vaasa
From Vaasa to Silicon Valley – connecting ecosystems, accelerating entrepreneurs, scaling globally!
🔗 Meet Midguard's Simon Hästö
🔗 Startup World Cup Grand Finale
🔗 Next Level Growth Challenge
Organizers: CleanTech Region Group, Nordic Impact Week Silicon Valley, Green Solutions Magazine.
Venue host: Startup Factory.
Thank you to partners: University of Vaasa, Calejo Hybrid Intelligence, Absolicon Solar Collector AB.
#VaasaGoesSiliconValley #NordicImpactWeek #MidguardSystems #StartupWorldCup #NextLevelGrowth #UniversityOfVaasa #EnergyTransitionValley #ScalingTheNordicsGlobally