SCALING OPPORTUNITY: NORDICS & THE WORLD
15 September 2026Epicenter 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 by LĀHDE Impact.
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?
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
08:30Doors open, registration and morning coffee
09:00Scaling 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
Investment and capital
Deep tech and health
Energy transition
Middle East and Africa
Gaming and creative industries
Critical minerals
International sales and partnerships
Building trusted networks in new markets
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 VesterbackaEntrepreneur & Co-Initiator, Finest Bay Area Development
Janne WaltonenGlobal Marketer, ex-Supercell & ex-WPP
Emil HewageCEO & Founder, BIOS Health
Jarmo SarevaConsul General, Ambassador, Consulate General of Finland in New York
Aino KauranenStrategic Business Partner, Meta
Aaron MichelinFounder, Enersense International
Kati Uusi-RauvaDirector, EIT Culture & Creativity North
Anita KalergisFounder & CEO, Ipsum Consulting MEA
Pia PakarinenCEO, Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce
Kustaa ValtonenFounding Partner, Finest Bay Area Development
Taneli TikkaBoard Member, SpaceTime
Seppo IhalainenFounder, ecogrid.energy
Kalle SaarikannasSenior GTM Lead, AI Business Solutions, Microsoft
Mikael MalmivaaraCo-Founder, Northlink Partners
Samuli SavoChief Ventures Officer, Reaktor
Hannaliisa JohnsonPrimus Motor of Team Finland at Economic Development Centre of Uusimaa, Elinvoimakeskus
Roald Van Buuren-NataleCo-Founder, ELO
Tatu Petersen-JessenCEO, Odd Latent
Juho JärveläCEO, Magna Capital
Tomi TikkalaStrategic Partnerships & Commercial Leader, Karta
Sanna KoskelaCEO & Co-Founder, Nuanic
Erik ÅkessonFounder, Erik Ventures
Erica TerranovaHead of Growth, Moomin Characters
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
FOUNDER / EARLY ACCESS
€119 + VAT
Limited availability.
Full access to the Forum programme, networking and official afterwork.
Designed especially for founders, entrepreneurs and smaller companies.
GENERAL ADMISSION
€179 + VAT
Full access to the Forum programme, networking and official afterwork.
FINAL RELEASE
€229 + VAT
Available once the General Admission allocation has been sold.
Full access to the Forum programme, networking and official afterwork.
INVESTOR & CORPORATE
€279 + VAT
For investors, corporate representatives and business leaders looking for companies, partnerships and international opportunities.
Includes Forum access, afterwork and priority access to selected introductions and meeting opportunities.
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 HelsinkiMikonkatu 900100 Helsinki
Doors open at 08:30.
Main programme begins at 09:00.
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 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 2026Epicenter Helsinki
Find your next market. Meet the people who can open it.
Organised by Lähde Impact Oy
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/-lahde/
