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Recolth has won the Susicorn Startup Competition with its foot health device, RedStep, designed to relieve pain and restore mobility. It supports rehabilitation by activating foot function, making...
Is Eastern Finland like Texas in the United States – a frontier region where strong industry, the energy sector and rapidly growing technology meet? This is a place where globally significant innovations are being created, and where the boldest ideas can emerge at the edges of the map, said one of the keynote speakers at Eastern Finland’s largest business event.
Main image above: The first day of SOHJO culminated in the iconic Nasdaq Closing Bell ceremony, rarely seen in the Nordics. The bell was rung by Thomas Mathews, Product Marketing Director at Abloy. Photo: Harri Säynevirta
Food made from air and electricity. An electric car that even China looks to for inspiration. Climate-friendly concrete.
At SOHJO, Eastern Finland’s largest business event, Sanna Rautio from the creative digital agency Avidly listed around a dozen innovations that can help solve global challenges. What they all have in common is that they have either originated from or found their place in Eastern Finland.
“Right now, things are being done in Eastern Finland that interest the whole world,” Rautio said.
She compared Eastern Finland to Texas, known as a frontier region in the United States, where strong industry and the energy sector have successfully converged with new technology. According to her, Texas is currently even more attractive than California.
We have countless ‘eastern success stories’ here - companies, research, events, and people building the future every day, Rautio reminded the audience. Photo: Business Joensuu
From the Edge of Europe to the Top
One of Rautio’s key messages was that in geographically peripheral regions, things often need to be done differently than in major hubs. That is why ideas can emerge at the edges that are not seen elsewhere.
Her presentation highlighted the role of LUT University in Lappeenranta as a driver of innovation. Similar examples include the Forest Joensuu and Photonics Joensuu innovation ecosystems, which have elevated the region to the forefront in Europe.
Rautio emphasized that more investment is needed in commercialization and storytelling to help companies cross the valley of death in the early stages.
“Our stories sometimes remain untold. This is something we can influence ourselves. The way we talk about our region shapes how others see it.”
A Living Lab for Border Security
One of Eastern Finland’s strengths in international business is its expertise in border security.
During the event week, international actors visited North Karelia to explore the digital border security test environments of the Borderland Europe network. One of the visitors was Stacy K. Vaughn, who also spoke at SOHJO.
“You are living and operating in a constantly active environment. Hacking, cybersecurity, and technology in general are areas where you have a lot to offer,” said Vaughn, an entrepreneur specializing in U.S. public sector and defense procurement.
She encouraged Finnish companies to be persistent if they aim to collaborate with the U.S. government.
“It takes time and resilience. Start now and build cooperation step by step. In a year or two, the U.S. administration will already look different,” Vaughn said.
One of the highlights of SOHJO’s second day was Stacey K. Vaughn, an entrepreneur specializing in U.S. public sector and defense procurement. Photo: Verna Lukkari
Peter Vesterbacka: “Fantastic Work”
Peter Vesterbacka, founder of Slush and builder of the Angry Birds phenomenon, spoke about bold thinking and encouraged companies to aim higher than what initially seems possible. Photo: Harri Säynevirta
Peter Vesterbacka, founder of the now world-renowned startup event Slush, filled the hall with his talk on building global startups, with the Angry Birds story at its core.
“Without startups, Finland hasn’t seen much growth in the past 20 years. It’s important that we create new companies across the country and get young people involved,” Vesterbacka said.
For him, the most important aspect of business events is the encounters between people from different backgrounds. He emphasized that new ideas and new business are born when people meet.
Finland’s strength, he noted, lies in its informality.
“You can talk to anyone. City leadership and entrepreneurs are present, and it’s not the kind of environment where you couldn’t approach the mayor.”
He also praised the way things are done in Joensuu.
Special recognition went to Joensuu Entrepreneurship Society (JoES), the student entrepreneurship organization involved in organizing SOHJO.
“Young people there are doing fantastic work - really impressive. It’s crucial that the city and the whole community are involved. That’s how inspiration is created, and people see that anything is possible.”
The Big Apple – Here We Come!
Recolth Oy won the Susicorn Startup competition with its RedStep device for foot health. CEO and founder Nicholas Kosonen pitched the innovation in the final. The jury included Peter Vesterbacka, Tiina Laisi-Puheloinen, Irene Viinikkala and Kaj Hagros. Photo: Harri Säynevirta
The CEO of Recolth Oy, Nicholas Kosonen—winner of Finland’s longest-running business idea competition—attended the SOHJO event primarily to compete, but left with much more.
The victory brings visibility at the Nasdaq Tower in Times Square, New York, as well as a €15,000 prize package to further develop their health and recovery technology product.
For Kosonen, SOHJO offered valuable encounters with both new and familiar faces.
“It’s easy to get advice from those ahead of you or behind you. The best part is getting it from those who are in the same situation at the same time. Even if we’re from different companies or cities, we share the same experiences - challenges and successes.”
The hallway conversations went beyond small talk.
“We dive into the deep end and share genuinely useful insights on sales, marketing and different challenges.”
SOHJO 2026: Eastern Finland’s largest business event sold out – and will grow next year
- A festival-like meeting place for companies, investors, and partners across industries was held in Joensuu on March 26–27, 2026
- The largest international business event in Eastern Finland
- 650 participants, sold out on Friday, March 27
- The 2026 theme, “Shaping the Luminous Future", highlighted Joensuu’s p as one of Europe’s leading photonics hubs and emphasized the importance of collaboration in driving growth, partnerships, and innovation
- The next event will take place on February 18–19, 2027, with over 1,000 participants expected at the rapidly developing Mehtimäki area in Joensuu
- Future organization will be led by XP Crew Oy and Joensuu Entrepreneurship Society (JoES), with Business Joensuu as a partner
For more information about SOHJO 2026:
Pinja Konttinen, Business Joensuu
+358 50 452 1597, pinja.konttinen@businessjoensuu.fi
Text: Heikki Hamunen, Simana Oy
Photos: Harri Säynevirta, Verna Lukkari and Business Joensuu
This article was produced as part of the Innokaupunki 3 project, co-funded by the European Union and the Regional Council of North Karelia. The project is managed by Business Joensuu.
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