POHJAT – Entrepreneurship Week of Northern Ostrobothnia
Event information
Time
-
Venue location
Several locations in Oulu
Location
Entrepreneurship Week, from September 2nd to 6th, 2024, will be filled with programs conducted in both Finnish and English. The complete schedule will be updated on the official event page at pohjatfest.com/in-english/.
The University of Oulu and Oamk will host the following events during Entrepreneurship Week:
Monday, September 2nd
Entrepreneurship support and networks for internationals: Information and networking event (in English)
Time: 14.00-17.00
Location: Backstage, University of Oulu
Have fun, make friends, win prizes, and create valuable networks while learning about entrepreneurship, and start-up support networks for internationals.
Come listen to and talk with experts from the University/Oamk (Ville Saarenpää, David Delahunty), Business Oulu (Shefat Islam), Start Up Refugees (Muntaser Mazen Al-Hamad) Oulu Entrepreneurship society (Tam Le) and StartUp station/Crazytown (Jan Schmidt) to find out more about entrepreneurship support and networks for immigrant entrepreneurs and start-ups.
In addition to information, we also provide snacks, great company, an invaluable networking opportunity and you might even win a prize!
The main target for the event is University/Oamk students, however, the information covered is relevant to all internationals interested in entrepreneurship and starting a company in Finland.
The event is in English and free of charge, registration is however required.
Sign up here.
Contact:
Ville Saarenpää (University of Oulu Innovation Centre)
ville.saarenpaa@oulu.fi
or David Delahunty (University of Oulu)
david.delahunty@oulu.fi
Tuesday, September 3rd
Sustainability Reporting is Coming, Are You Ready? Sustainability Test and Workshop (in Finnish)
Time: 10.30–12.30
Location: Fennia Siikasali, Kauppurienkatu 8 A, 2nd floor, 90100 Oulu
Do you want to learn how to use sustainability as a competitive advantage? Sustainability is not just an ethical choice but also economically sensible. Join our workshop to get tips and coaching on promoting sustainability and sustainability reporting. We will also launch a digital sustainability test that helps you assess the current state of your company's sustainability and provides practical development tips for advancing sustainable development.
The workshop is designed for all business participants who want to develop their or their organization's sustainability expertise. The workshop is interactive and includes group discussions/peer discussions, exercises, and examples. It will be led by Jaana Jeminen, project manager of VATUPASSI project, University of Oulu Kerttu Saalasti Institute.
Welcome to learn and network with others interested in sustainability!
Sustainability: today's competitive advantage, tomorrow's prerequisite!
Note: this event is in Finnish.
Wednesday, September 4th
Keys to Entrepreneurial Growth: Stories of Entrepreneurship and Learning (in Finnish)
Time: 10.00–12.00
Location: Business Corner Venue, Linnanmaa, University of Oulu
Come listen to inspiring entrepreneurial stories from two growth entrepreneurs. The speakers are Pekka Selin, the entrepreneur behind Adventure Park Huikia and café called Koivurannan kahvila, and Anna Rounaja, the entrepreneur and creative director of Hukka Sports Center.
Note: this event is in Finnish.
Contact:
Petri Luukkonen, (Oamk)
petri.luukkonen@oamk.fi
Panel Discussion: "How to Commercialize Your Expertise?" (in Finnish)
Time: 12.00–13.00, followed by a Q&A session until 13.15
Location: Tellus Backstage, Linnanmaa, University of Oulu
Do you have expertise and skills that could have commercial demand? Are you contemplating entrepreneurship? In this inspiring discussion organized by the University of Oulu and Oamk, you will gain information and practical tips from entrepreneurs and experts on what entrepreneurship requires and what it can offer you. The panel will provide insights on how you can stand out with your unique skills and personality. One of the key questions is, how do you find your customers?
Led by Simo Kekäläinen, the discussion will feature Development Manager and Principal Lecturer Sami Niemelä from Oamk, Business Developer and AI and Marketing Trainer Veera Mahlakaarto, and Macon Oy CEO Mikko Ahokas.
The discussion is intended for university students, researchers, and other highly educated professionals. It will also be streamed on the University of Oulu's YouTube channel.
No registration is required.
Note: this event is in Finnish.
Contact:
Minna Kilpeläinen, Communications Specialist,
(Kerttu Saalasti Institute, University of Oulu)
minna.kilpelainen@oulu.fi
Thursday, September 5th
Starting a company in Finland (in English)
Time: 12.00–13.30
Location: Backstage, University of Oulu
Have a business idea? Interested in starting a company in Finland? Or maybe you already have experience of running a company previously, but don’t know where to start in Finland? Are you curious in learning more about the possibilities of being a “part-time” entrepreneur to possibly make some extra income during your studies? Or maybe you’re interested in hearing the experiences of, and asking questions from international students and graduates that have already started companies in Finland and “been there are done that”?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, or are just curious to learn more, then welcome to the “Starting a company in Finland” event.
During the event, Ville Saarenpää (University of Oulu Innovation Centre), David Delahunty (Academic Affairs/Career Centre) from the University of Oulu, Shefat Islam (Business advisor for the international community) from Business Oulu, Tam Le (Oulu Entrepreneurship society) and a guest panel of student entrepreneurs will provide information, and share their experiences on the main entrepreneurship options for students, their pros and cons, support networks at the university and Oamk, and local and national support networks to support you on your entrepreneurship journey.
Come ask questions, get information, have some snacks, enjoy great company, and network.
The main target for the event is University/Oamk students, however, the information covered is relevant to all internationals interested in entrepreneurship and starting a company in Finland.
The event is in English and free of charge.
Contact:
David Delahunty (University of Oulu)
david.delahunty@oulu.fi
Pizza and Pitch start up event (in English)
Time: 14.00–16.00
Location: Business Corner Co-work, Linnanmaa campus, University of Oulu
Come and meet other entrepreneurship enthusiasts over delicious pizza and drinks. If you'd like, you can pitch your ideas and skills to others and find a team for exciting new projects. Get tips for your pitch from Oamk's startup program mentors, and elevate your pitching game to a new level!
Contact:
Hanna Spets (Oamk)
hanna.spets@oamk.fi
Entrepreneurship movie night (in English)
Time: 17.00–19.00
Location: Hall L2 Linnanmaa, University of Oulu
Join us for an unforgettable Movie Night organized by the Oulu Entrepreneurship Society in celebration of the new school year and Entrepreneurship Week of Northern Ostrobothnia! This special series of movie night events will feature fiction and documentaries about entrepreneurs around the world. We start with “The Playlist: Spotify Untold”, inspired by the book "Spotify Untold". This fictionalized, six-part series tells the story of how Daniel Ek (played by Edvin Endre) and his partners challenged the status quo by evolving the way we all listen to music.
Enjoy this relaxed and fun environment as you connect with fellow students, network, and get inspired. Learn about creative problem-solving, the grit, and the "sisu" spirit of the Nordic region. Kickstart your new year with motivation and excitement, surrounded by like-minded individuals passionate about entrepreneurship. Don't miss out on this evening filled with inspiration, innovation, and community spirit! We also have snacks and drinks for you.
Contact:
Tam Le Hong, (Oamk)
tam.le@student.oulu.fi
Friday, September 6th
InnoVisitor Breakfast — Guest Speaker from LessonLab! (in Finnish)
Time: 8.30–10.00
Location: Innovation Centre, University of Oulu
In honor of the Entrepreneurship Week of Northern Ostrobothnia, we invite you to breakfast at the Innovation Centre Lounge, featuring Miska Visuri, Business Development Specialist from LessonLab! LessonLab is a research-based company that helps organizations reach their full potential through innovative educational solutions. Where did the company start, and what research is its operation based on? Save the date and join us to learn more!
Registration begins in August!
Note: this event is in Finnish.
Contact:
Ville Saarenpää (University of Oulu, Innovation Centre)
ville.saarenpaa@oulu.fi
The POHJAT – Entrepreneurship Week of Northern Ostrobothnia is coordinated by Kaleva Media.