Business development companies from Turku and Joensuu strengthen national and European cooperation in developing digital security, border security and dual-use technologies. Through the Borderland...
The glow of growth shines from Joensuu to the world at SOHJO Business Event, where the rarely seen Nasdaq Closing Bell ceremony will take place as part of the program.
The event features Slush founder Peter Vesterbacka speaking about building global startups, discussions on the rapidly growing markets of digital border security and dual-use technologies, and the final of the Susicorn Startup Competition.
SOHJO will also connect live to Albany, Australia, where the world’s largest light art installation, Lighting the Sound, is currently illuminating the landscape. Internationally acclaimed light artist Kari Kola from Joensuu will join the event remotely to share insights from this extraordinary cultural export project.
Joensuu brings together startups, companies, and investors
Startups, companies and investors will gather in Joensuu on 26–27 March 2026, as SOHJO – the largest international business event in Eastern Finland – takes place for the first time as a two-day fully English-language event. More than 600 participants are expected.
The event brings together companies and experts from the Joensuu region as well as participants from across Finland and abroad to discuss growth, competitiveness and future markets, while creating new collaboration opportunities.
The theme of SOHJO 2026, Luminous, reflects Joensuu’s strengths in internationally recognised photonics expertise. Joensuu is one of Europe’s leading centres for light science and photonics technologies. The event also highlights inspiring entrepreneurs and bright business stories from the region.
- SOHJO is an inspiring, festival-like meeting place for business and growth where companies, investors and partners meet across industries. Joensuu and Eastern Finland have a uniquely positive spirit of collaboration and action, and SOHJO brings this energy together, says Pinja Konttinen, Event Manager of SOHJO.
Top Finnish and international experts and the hottest tech and growth themes
Discussions at SOHJO will cover business growth and new opportunities from the perspectives of AI, humanoid robotics, digital border security and dual-use technologies, photonics and international capital markets. The program also highlights the role of creativity as a driver of innovation, growth and competitiveness.
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Nasdaq Closing Bell ceremony in Joensuu – a rare event in the Nordics – concluding a discussion between Nasdaq’s Erja Retzén and Thomas Mathews from Abloy on corporate growth, international capital markets and Initial Public Opportunities (IPO's).
- Slush founder Peter Vesterbacka speaking about building global startups and why entrepreneurs should aim beyond what initially seems possible.
- The world’s largest light art installation, Lighting the Sound, currently illuminating Albany, Australia – Joensuu-based artist Kari Kola will join SOHJO remotely to discuss the project.
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Growth Markets in Border Security and Dual-Use Technologies:
Jiri Jormakka – Kelluu’s journey to the NATO DIANA innovation program.
Expert Panel: Optical research, photonics and advanced sensing technologies are accelerating digital border security solutions and creating new growth markets for companies.
- Ryszard Piramidowicz – Photonics is one of the most important technologies of the future.
- A Path to U.S. Government Procurement – Entrepreneur Stacy K. Vaughn, specializing in U.S. defense and public sector procurement, explains how Nordic startups and growth companies can enter U.S. government markets and international supply chains.
- Eastern Finland’s growth momentum – Sanna Rautio (Avidly) explores how courage, collaboration and creativity are driving new regional growth stories.
- AI and humanoid robots in the workplace – humanoid robots Arska and Dolly will appear on stage for the first time in North Karelia.
- Susicorn Startup Competition Final – six startup finalists pitch to the Wolf’s Den jury in a Shark Tank–style pitch competition. One winner will emerge with the ambition to grow into the Susicorn – a growth company from the Joensuu region.
Meet at the Match Made in Joensuu and Business Joensuu Growth Lounges
Encounters between participants are at the heart of SOHJO. Meetings can be arranged in advance through the Eventos matchmaking app and discussions can continue in the event’s networking areas.
The Match Made in Joensuu Lounge, hosted by the City of Joensuu, and the Business Joensuu Growth Lounge serve as meeting points where participants can meet city officials and Business Joensuu experts throughout the event. This is your place to discuss your business plans and opportunities in the Joensuu region, including investments, business plots, permits, financing, and a wide range of business services.
The Business Joensuu Growth Lounge will also feature a pop-up bar by Koli Distillery (a part of The Helsinki Distilling Company, nestled in Koli National Park, Finland) and visitors can experience a ceiling projection of the artwork From Clean Ground by Joensuu-based digital artist and creative entrepreneur Anniina Löytönen.
Originally created as a mural wallpaper series for two apartment buildings in the Joensuu Penttilänranta district, the artwork reflects the area’s extensive soil remediation project and symbolises new beginnings and collective effort – themes that also resonate with the spirit of SOHJO.
Also explore luminous showcases hosted by SOHJO’s main partners and connect with experts from organisations such as the University of Eastern Finland, Karelia University of Applied Sciences, Riveria, and OP North Karelia.
SOHJO Business Event in brief
26–27 March 2026
Venue: Original Sokos Hotel Kimmel, Joensuu, Finland
View the SOHJO Main Festival Schedule
Meet the speakers
Get your ticket and secure your spot
SOHJO Business Event has grown in four years into the largest international business event in Eastern Finland, bringing together companies, startups, investors and experts to discuss growth, technology and new business opportunities.
The event is made possible by a strong network of partners and volunteers – reflecting the collaborative spirit of Joensuu and the growing need for an international cross-industry business event in the region. SOHJO Partners 2026
SOHJO Main Festival program at a glance
Startups, Growth and Capital Markets
How can Finnish innovations become global growth companies?
Peter Vesterbacka: Impossible is Nothing
Slush founder and creator of the Angry Birds phenomenon speaks about bold thinking, building global startups and why entrepreneurs should aim higher than what initially seems possible.
Irene Viinikkala: Beyond Creativity – How to Turn Tech, Chaos & Strategy into Growth
Technology entrepreneur and angel investor Irene Viinikkala explores how creativity, technology and strategic thinking translate into startup growth.
Susicorn Startup Competition Final – Wolf’s Den: Pitch for the Brightest
On Friday 27 March at 13:30–14:00, six startup finalists pitch to the Wolf’s Den jury. The winner will be announced and awarded at around 15:00.
The Susicorn symbolises courage, creativity and ambition – a startup aiming to grow into a major success story emerging from the Joensuu region.
Nasdaq Q&A with ABLOY & Closing Bell Ceremony
At SOHJO 2026, Thomas Mathews (Product Marketing Director and Business Growth Leader at Abloy Oy, ASSA ABLOY Group) joins Nasdaq’s Erja Retzén (Director of Global Listing Services, Nasdaq Nordic) on the Susicorn Stage for a special Q&A. The discussion explores what it means to lead innovation within a globally trusted legacy brand backed by ASSA ABLOY, and how a company built on more than a century of expertise continues to evolve in a rapidly changing world. Together, they will discuss corporate growth, international capital markets and the opportunities of going public.
As the grand finale of the session, Thomas and Erja will take the spotlight for something truly rare in the Nordics: the iconic Nasdaq Closing Bell Ceremony. More than just a bell, it symbolises partnership, ambition and the global potential of the Joensuu business ecosystem.
Hermanni Hakalisto: POWERLOAD with a Breath – Recharge, Refocus, Reboot
Breathwork coach Hermanni Hakalisto explores stress management, recovery and mental performance in demanding leadership and work environments.
Joonas Karvinen – Fireside Chat: TRUST – The Sparkling Secret of Sales Success
Sales coach Joonas Karvinen discusses the role of trust and courage in sales and business growth.
Tiina Ruuska & Pasi Rantanen: Sh** Happens, Still Glowing – Real Survival Stories from the Startup Ups & Downs
Startup stories often highlight success and rapid growth – but what happens when growth stalls, funding tightens or crises change the direction? Ikigaia founders Tiina Ruuska and Pasi Rantanen take the SOHJO stage for an open dialogue about the less polished side of startup life: uncertainty, turning points and the so-called “valley of death”. They explore what rebuilding after setbacks truly requires, how creativity can become a survival strategy and why the future belongs not only to the bold but also to the resilient. Sometimes growth is not about shining brighter – but learning how to glow again.
Growth Markets in Border Security and Dual-Use Technologies
Digital border security and dual-use technologies are driving fast-growing international business for companies.
Stacy K. Vaughn: Beyond Borders – Doing Business with the U.S. Government
An entrepreneur specialising in U.S. public sector and defence procurement explains how Nordic startups and growth companies can access U.S. government markets and international supply chains.
Jiri Jormakka: From Joensuu to NATO Skies – The Story of Kelluu
Joensuu-based company Kelluu was selected for NATO’s DIANA innovation programme with its autonomous airships from more than 2,600 applicants.
Expert Panel: A New Situational Awareness in Border Security – From Photonics Research to Real-World Applications
In the panel From Light to Insight: Photonics in Digital Border Security, experts discuss how optical research and photonics evolve into operational situational awareness and decision-making tools in modern security environments. The panel brings together research, companies and security experts.
Professor Jyrki Saarinen (University of Eastern Finland) discusses the possibilities of photonics in border security, Jiri Jormakka (Head of Sales, Kelluu) explains how cutting-edge research turns into operational solutions, and Jarkko Surakka (Borderland Europe, Tech Engineer NATO) highlights real-world security needs and testing environments. The discussion also explores how advanced sensing technologies are reshaping security thinking and what new opportunities security and dual-use technologies create for companies.The panel is moderated by Juha Purmonen, CEO of Photonics Finland.
Luminous – Photonics, Light Science, Technology and Creative Light Art
Ryszard Piramidowicz: What Is Light? The Technology you use every day without knowing it
Light is one of the most important technologies of the future – yet we rarely stop to think about it.
Ryszard Piramidowicz, one of Europe’s leading photonics experts, combines cutting-edge research and entrepreneurship. He serves as Professor of Optoelectronics at the Warsaw University of Technology and is the founder and CEO of the photonics spin-off company LightHouse. At SOHJO, Piramidowicz explains how photonics enables many everyday technologies, from communications and health technologies to security and sensing. His talk takes the audience from the science of light to its real-world applications and demonstrates why photonics is one of the most important technologies of the future.
Kari Kola: Lighting the Sound – Creative Power, Global Stage (live video from Australia)
Joensuu-based internationally renowned light artist Kari Kola speaks at SOHJO about the world’s largest light art installation Lighting the Sound, created for the 200th anniversary of the city of Albany in Western Australia. The project is exceptional even in the history of art. Covering ten square kilometres – more than 1,400 football fields – the installation is captured by satellites from space. The artwork was launched on 13 March 2026 and is displayed over three consecutive weekends. In scale, it represents one of the most significant cultural export projects from Finland. In his talk, Kola explains how such international large-scale works come to life – from years of design and technological experimentation to collaboration with local communities and Aboriginal culture. The presentation offers a glimpse into how light art, technology and creative thinking combine to create extraordinary experiences.
Eastern Finland’s Growth and Innovation Collaboration
Tomi Haring: SOHJO 2026 – Opening Words
Tomi Haring, CEO of Business Joensuu, opens SOHJO 2026 and sets the tone for two days of discussions on growth, collaboration and new opportunities. His remarks explore the role of Joensuu and Eastern Finland in the international innovation and business ecosystem, and how collaboration between companies, research and investors can create new growth stories. At the same time, Haring invites participants to transcend boundaries, challenge conventional thinking and open new pathways for business, creativity and future-making.
Minna Hendolin: SOHJO 2026 - Day 2 Opening Words
Minna Hendolin, Impact Director at the University of Eastern Finland, speaks about collaboration between research, companies and funding in building innovation.
Sanna Rautio: East of Bold – Building Growth Stories from the Edge of Europe
Sanna Rautio, Head of Revenue Operations at Avidly, discusses the positive growth momentum in Eastern Finland and how courage, collaboration and creativity build new growth stories and strengthen regional competitiveness.
SOHJO Hacks Hackathon – Winner Announcement
The winner of the 30-hour international innovation challenge will be announced and awarded at SOHJO.
AI, Robotics and the Future of Work
How will technological transformation reshape business, creativity and the world of work?
Taavi Kuisma: Curious Case of AI – How Far Has the World Gotten in the AI Journey?
Entrepreneur specialising in generative AI explores the real impact of AI on business operations.
Matti Tikanmäki: Colleagues or Competitors? Humanoids in the Future of Work
This talk examines the role humanoid robots may play in the future workplace – as colleagues, tools, competitors or something entirely new. Humanoid robots Arska and Dolly by Probot will also appear on stage.
LuovAIn!: AI Community Art Lab (Nonstop Workshop)
The LuovAIn project’s interactive workshop invites SOHJO participants to create a collective, real-time artwork using AI. Participants’ movements and brush strokes – in the air or on a surface – are interpreted by AI and visualised on a large LED screen. The artwork evolves through continuous interaction as participants’ gestures accumulate into a shared visual composition. The workshop uses technologies such as StreamDiffusion, Depth-Anything, projection mapping and camera recognition, and is implemented by Studio Käpynä Oy as part of the LuovAIn! – AI in the Creative and Cultural Ecosystem project.
Creativity as a Driver of Growth
Why are creativity, identity and meaningfulness becoming increasingly important for business competitiveness?
Kaisa Rönkkö: Who Shapes the Future – Technology, Politics or Creativity?
Dean of the Sibelius Academy at the University of the Arts Helsinki, Kaisa Rönkkö examines the role of creativity in shaping the future of society and the economy.
Ina Mikkola: Glitter, Guts and Growth
Journalist, author and director Ina Mikkola speaks about the importance of visibility, courage and authenticity in building a brand.
Ronny Eriksson: ODD, Bold & Brilliant – How the Next Generation Creates Impact
ODDFest founder Ronny Eriksson explores the role of creative thinking and bold differentiation in the entrepreneurship of the next generation.
Tiia-Mari Mäkinen & Virpi Rautsiala: East Depends on Us – Or Does It?
What if one of the most powerful engines of regional growth is the very thing often cut first from budgets – culture and creativity? Artist and cultural producer Tiia-Mari Mäkinen and actor and cultural entrepreneur Virpi Rautsiala challenge audiences to rethink the true value of creative work. Their dialogue explores how art, culture and creative thinking can strengthen regional vitality, inspire innovation and build sustainable growth in Eastern Finland.
The discussion raises a fundamental question: Is creativity merely a budget line – or the spark that ignites entire economies?
Panel: Hype vs. Purpose – What Makes a Brand Truly Shine?
Ina Mikkola, Petri Lauronen and Joonas Kylliäinen discuss how companies can build impactful and sustainable brands in a rapidly changing media environment. The panel is moderated by Anne-Maria Kankaisto, Communications Director at Photonics Finland.
Free Side Events During SOHJO Week
Throughout the SOHJO business festival week, several Side Events in Joensuu will explore entrepreneurship, photonics, technology, and innovation.
Karelia Entrepreneurship Expo – Wed 25 March
An entrepreneurship event by Karelia University of Applied Sciences bringing together students, entrepreneurs and investors. The programme includes entrepreneur and investor interviews, panel discussions, student pitch competitions and networking.
PICS & CHIPS @ Botania – Wed 25 March
Discussions on the role of photonics in chip technology and future technologies, and Joensuu’s position as a centre of expertise in micro- and nanophotonics.
SOHJO Hacks Hackathon – 25–26 March
A 30-hour international hackathon where developers, designers and innovators build prototypes and digital solutions to real challenges from research and industry. The winner will be announced at SOHJO on 26 March.
Startup x Industry Connect – Thu 26 March
A pitching and networking event where startups, industry players and investors meet before the main SOHJO programme begins.
Nordic Freeze Dry – Magic from Northern Nature
Taste North Karelian food innovation at the SOHJO Spark Corner
Friday 27 March approximately 10:00–13:00
Discover freeze-dried berry and food products from the North Karelian company Nordic Freeze Dry. The company uses advanced freeze-drying technology to preserve the flavour, nutrition and lightness of northern ingredients. Visitors can meet the team behind the products and experience how Nordic ingredients are transformed into innovative food solutions.
More information
Pinja Konttinen, SOHJO Event Manager, Business Joensuu
pinja.konttinen@businessjoensuu.fi | +358 50 452 1597
Tanja Immonen, Marketing Specialist, Business Joensuu
tanja.immonen@businessjoensuu.fi | +358 50 545 2519
Lisätietoja
Pinja Konttinen, SOHJO-tapahtumapäällikkö, Business Joensuu
pinja.konttinen@businessjoensuu.fi, 050 452 1597
Tanja Immonen, markkinoinnin asiantuntija, Business Joensuu
tanja.immonen@businessjoensuu.fi, 050 545 2519
