“A networkers paradise.” Visa Poikela says about his first visit to Slush. As Innokas’ Head of New Business Development for Benelux and Central Europe, Visa joined thousands of founders, investors, and innovators at the world’s leading startup event. While Slush is widely recognized as a hotspot for startups and investors, Visa discovered that the conversations went far beyond funding. Startups were eager to discuss product development and manufacturing partnerships to secure the future of their solutions. For Innokas, this made Slush an ideal opportunity to showcase our speedy sledge rides from idea to product.

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Unique atmosphere

Visa described the vibe at Slush as inspiring. “Few events I have been to have had the same kind of energy,” he explains. “And I have been to lot of events”, he adds with a laugh. International visitors agreed that the atmosphere was truly one of a kind. The event was easy enough to navigate, and the energy was contagious. Perhaps part of this comes from how many success stories got their start at Slush over the years. It creates confidence and courage to pursue your goals and shape the future of technology.

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Flying Dutch colors and harnessing the network

One of Visa’s favorite stops was the Netherlands pavilion. Having spent a lot of time in the Netherlands networking and developing the design services market, he enjoyed feeling “local” for a change. Visa also turned out to be a great connection point for eventgoers looking for partnerships. “At this stage, I’ve built a network so comprehensive that I can bridge the gap between operators and customers. At an event like Slush, where innovators have wildly different needs and plans, that proved to be a valuable asset. I don’t necessarily gain anything tangible from it, but I just enjoy being able to help others if I can,” Visa shares.

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Dual-use, defense, and European collaboration

One of the surprises at Slush was the strong presence of defense technology and dual-use solutions. Nearly one-third of Visa’s meetings touched on these topics. The discussions were deep, and along the way, some projects surfaced that hadn’t yet been publicly shared. “The innovative atmosphere encouraged open exchange of ideas,” Visa surmises.

European collaboration was a clear theme. Specialized expertise from different countries is recognized, and Finland stands out as an attractive location for defense and dual-use innovators thanks to its strong track record in security. The overall mindset at Slush was clearly about seeking opportunities. Conversations were open and curious, just the kind of dialogue innovation thrives on.

“Slush exceeded expectations. Networks grew, ideas were flowing, and the inspiring atmosphere will stay with the visitors,” Visa concluded. Now it’s time to continue the conversations and see what emerges from these connections.