Falling Walls Lab & Startup Summit Eastern Finland 2025

Welcome to Startup Summit Eastern Finland 2025 – a one-day, two-part event bringing together the sharpest minds and boldest innovators from across Eastern Finland. 

The day kicks off with Falling Walls Lab Eastern Finland, official partner of Falling Walls Science Summit. It is a pitch competition for students and early-career professionals to present their breakthrough, science-based innovative ideas. Students and researchers from across Finland are welcome to apply and present their breakthrough ideas.

In the afternoon, the spotlight turns into 10 chosen Startups from Eastern Finland presenting their businesses, shaping the future of business and innovation in the region, where startups seek funding and connections! There is also open networking for the startups who won’t pitch to meet investors and other stakeholders. 

Whether you’re an innovator, entrepreneur, investor, business driven researcher, or ecosystem builder, this summit is your gateway to connect, pitch, and be inspired!



Program: 

Morning Session 8:30–12:00: Falling Walls Lab Eastern Finland

Location: Microkatu 1, Novapolis, H section, 2nd floor, Pointti conference room

8:30 – Registration, coffee and snacks

9:00 – Opening speech, welcome notes and introducing Falling Walls Lab Eastern Finland (moderators: Parastoo Jalili & Tomi Tuovinen)

9:10 – Keynote #1: Jarmo Lumpus, Serial entrepreneur, “How AI is Rewriting the Startup Playbook”

9:25 – Pitching part 1 (5-6 presenters) 40-50 minutes

Selected participants present their 3-minute breakthrough ideas + Jury panel evaluation & feedback (5-minute Q&A per pitch)

10:15 – Keynote #2: Milla Koistinaho, Partner at Innovestor Life Science Fund, Associate Professor at UEF – ”Commercialising research results – what are investors looking for?”

10:30 – Pitching part 2 (5-6 presenters) 40-50 minutes

11:20 – Break (15-20 minutes) (entertainment/ music) (meanwhile the jury will decide the winner)

🏆 11:40 – Winner Announcement & Award Ceremony

Regional winner selected to represent Finland at the Falling Walls Global Finale in Berlin on November 6th. Travel and accommodation included! 
Certificate & recognition for top 3 presenters.
Group picture with the top 3 winners and all the partners

12:00 – Closing the morning session

12:00 – 13:00 – Lunch (self-paid)

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Afternoon Session 13:00–17:15: Startup Summit Eastern Finland 

Location: Microkatu 1, M-part, Novapolis Co-Work

13:00– Welcome & Opening Words

Introduction by the organisers
Overview of the day and event goals

13:15– Keynotes: Stories from the Field

Adamant Health Oy
Angel CoFund/Innovestor
Finnish Startup Community

14:00– Break

14:15– Startup Pitch Competition – Startups Eastern Finland

10 startups, Format: 3-minute pitch + 3-minute feedback
🏆 Winner Announcement & Award Ceremony
Winning startup receives a ticket to Slush 2025 and glory within the ecosystem!

16:00– Investor & Startup Speed-Dating

- Networking and speed-dating session

17:00– Closing Remarks

- Summary and thank-yous
- What happens next?


Event home page: https://bcpohjois-savo.fi/startup-summit-eastern-finland-falling-walls-lab/

Sign up now!

Falling Walls Lab Eastern Finland: https://shorturl.at/24MW2
Startup Summit Eastern Finland: https://shorturl.at/DxWVT