Taste of Opportunity: Food tech Innovation in Helsinki

Innovate in Helsinki and get ahead of the curve

Welcome to Helsinki, where the foodtech ecosystem is setting the pace for the future of food. As one of the most sustainable cities in the world, Helsinki combines cutting-edge research, a supportive community, and 8 investment opportunities.

The Finnish foodtech sector has seen tremendous growth since 2015, with funding increasing dramatically and international investors eagerly joining the fray. By 2025, the Helsinki foodtech industry is expected to grow by over 40%, making it a hotbed for innovation.

In this webinar industry leaders Laura Forsman Factory Manager, Viikki Food Design Factory, Janne Saarikko from Natural Resources Institute Finland, and Jan Ameri, Executive Chairman of ArcticStartup and Arctic15 how Helsinki’s unique blend of research excellence, supportive partnerships, and sustainable innovation can drive your company’s growth.

Join the webinar

Curious about how Helsinki’s foodtech ecosystem can fuel your next breakthrough? Join our free webinar to explore the city’s unique blend of research, innovation, and sustainability. This event is tailored for international foodtech companies looking to leverage Helsinki’s strengths for sustainable growth in Europe.

Whether you’re looking to tap into cutting-edge research, explore new investment opportunities, or understand how to scale sustainably, this webinar offers tailored guidance for international food tech companies.

Agenda

• Welcome – Maria Andros, Helsinki Partners
• VFDF: Food Systems Innovation Ecosystem for Impact – Laura Forsman, Viikki Food Design Factory, University of Helsinki
• Commercialising research – Janne Saarikko, Natural Resources Institute of Finland (Luke)
• Special Announcement from Tonic Summit 2024 – Jan Ameri, ArcticStartup and Arctic15
• Business expansion services in Helsinki – Maria Andros, Helsinki Partners

Speakers

Laura Forsman

Factory Manager, Viikki Food Design Factory, University of Helsinki

Laura runs the Viikki Food Design Factory (VFDF) at the University of Helsinki – a springboard for science-based food system innovations. She is a (food) systems thinker and a seasoned business developer and manager with experience from the industry, customer insight & strategy agency, and R&D&I roles in universities. In her current role she orchestrates the VFDF innovation ecosystem, and creates and manages R&D&I projects for food system transformation.

Janne Saarikko

Ecosystem Builder, Portfolio Developer, and Business Advisor, Natural Resources Institute of Finland (Luke)

Janne Saarikko is a “Creator of Firsts” with over 30 years of international experience. Currently Janne works at Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE) with ecosystems, portfolio development and business advisory. His previous experiences include setting up and running the Global Food Ecosystems Accelerator for the Founder Institute, multiple roles in various Finnish and international agrifood ecosystems and 20 years in startup and venture capital ecosystems. 

Jan Ameri

Executive Chairman of ArcticStartup and Arctic15

Entrepreneur-by-heart – and by actions since 1998. Being an expert in spotting new opportunities and creating new concepts, Jan has been a partner or co-founder in eight different companies in various industries. In the early 2000’s he was already pioneering some of the very first WAP, SMS, and interactive TV based wireless games and fantasy sports games in the Nordic countries. He is very passionate about food&tech and innovation. Jan loves to watch Shark Tank in his free time. And he is an FC Barcelona fan. TONIC Summit takes place in Helsinki on 28 November, 2024. The event focuses on connecting food and agricultural industry professionals, startups and investors, with a tag line of “Food, Tech, Fun”.

Maria Andros

Senior Advisor, Helsinki Partners

Maria Andros is a driven business development professional with a keen interest in foodtech. As a Senior Advisor at Helsinki Partners she works across industries dealing with Green and Digital Transition, focusing on creating growth opportunities and helping innovative companies to land in Helsinki.

Register to learn more

Helsinki offers an unparalleled opportunity for foodtech companies to innovate and grow. Whether you’re looking to scale, invest, or partner, the Helsinki foodtech ecosystem provides the perfect environment for your next big move. Register now to be part of the foodtech revolution.