SOHJO Business Event Program - Business Joensuu

Browse the SOHJO program by day, stage, or event area. SOHJO side events are also included - with more details available on Side Events.

The program is being updated and finalized during February.

SOHJO 2026 Program

SOHJO Day 1

  • 15:00
    SOHJO Day 1 Start & Opening Words by Business Joensuu Oy
    • Susicorn Stage
    • Tomi Haring, CEO of Business Joensuu
    • Tomi sets the tone for the two days ahead: a celebration of curiosity, connection and courageous thinking. His words remind us why we gather — to transcend boundaries, challenge old assumptions and light up new pathways for business, creativity and future-making. More info...

  • 15:30
    Keynote
    Irene Viinikkala: Beyond Creativity: How to Turn Tech, Chaos & Strategy into Growth
    • Susicorn Stage
    • Irene Viinikkala
    • Irene opens the festival with a keynote that sets the tone for two days of bold thinking. Irene’s Keynote Beyond Creativity: How to Turn Tech, Chaos & Strategy into Growth will explore how startups can harness both technology and creativity to build luminous futures — and why this fusion is no longer optional but essential. More info...
  • 16:00
    Keynote
    Kari Kola: Lighting the Sound: Creative Power, Global Stage - Streaming from Australia
    • Susicorn Stage / Teams
    • Kari Kola
    • Kola will deliver an exclusive keynote online from Australia, where he has just premiered Lighting the Sound — the world’s largest light installation, stretching across the dramatic coastal landscape of Western Australia. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, scale, and vision behind a globally significant art project. More info...
  • 16:30
    Keynote
    Ina Mikkola: Glitter, Guts and Growth: What I’ve Learned in the Spotlight
    • Susicorn Stage
    • Ina Mikkola
    • In her keynote “Glitter, Guts and Growth: What I’ve Learned in the Spotlight”, Ina reflects on visibility, vulnerability, and personal power — and how creative courage builds both careers and culture. Her talk invites audiences to rethink what it means to shine in a noisy world, and how authenticity is the new superpower in both business and branding. More info...
  • 17:00
    Fire Chat
    To Be Announced
    • Susicorn Stage
  • 17:00
    To Be Announced
    • Luminous Stage
  • 17:30
    Matti Tikanmäki: Colleagues or Competitors? Humanoids in the Future of Work. Featuring Arska & Dolly
    • Susicorn Stage
    • Matti Tikanmäki, Arska & Dolly
    • Matti takes the Susicorn Stage to tackle a question that's becoming increasingly relevant: what kind of relationship will we build with robots that look and move like us? With over 20 years of hands-on experience in deploying robotics in real-world settings, Matti brings a grounded perspective to the hype. Are humanoids the ultimate co-workers, efficient tools, or something we haven't quite figured out yet? He is joined on stage by Probot's charismatic robot duo: Arska the humanoid and Dolly the mobile robot. More info...

  • 18:00
    Erja Retzén & Thomas Mathews: Nasdaq's Q&A with ABLOY & Closing Bell Ceremony
    • Susicorn Stage
    • Erja Retzén, Thomas Mathews
    • At SOHJO, Erja Retzén will host a special Nasdaq Closing Bell Ceremony, an exclusive moment where the legendary exchange bell rings not in Helsinki — but right here in Joensuu. During the Nasdaq Closing Bell Ceremony Erja also shares insights into the future of listings, why visibility still matters, and how startups from unexpected regions — like North Karelia — can find their way to the spotlight and the stock exchange. More about Erja...

      Thomas Mathews joins Erja on the Susicorn Stage for a special Q&A session exploring what it means to lead innovation in a highly trusted legacy brand with the support of ASSA ABLOY, and how a company built on more than a century of expertise continues to evolve in a fast-changing world. More about Thomas...

  • 18:30
    Keynote
    Taavi Kuisma: Curious case of AI: How far has the world gotten in the AI journey?
    • Susicorn Stage
    • Taavi Kuisma
    • At SOHJO 2026, Taavi takes the stage with his keynote: Curious case of AI
      In this keynote, Taavi invites both creative professionals and technologists to rethink how they look at AI and its use case. Looking past the FOMO and shallow interpretation of generative AI, we explore the AI rabbit hole from a new perspective. How can humans and machines co‑create a future that is not only efficient, but meaningful, ethical, and progressive? More info...
  • 18:30
    Fire Chat
    Joonas Karvinen: TRUST: Sparkling Secret of Sales Success
    • Luminous Stage
    • Joonas Karvinen
    • In this fire chat - TRUST – The Sparkling Secret of Sales Success - we’ll dive into the real drivers of exceptional sales performance: trust, courage, discipline – and relentless execution.

      This session isn’t just about selling – it’s about rethinking how we connect, commit and close in today’s luminous business world.

      More info...

  • 19:00
    Keynote
    Sanna Rautio: East of Bold: Building Growth Stories from the Edge of Europe
    • Susicorn Stage
    • Sanna Rautio
    • In her keynote "East of Bold: Building Growth Stories from the Edge of Europe" Sanna shares insights from Eastern Finland’s most inspiring transformation stories, where courage, creativity and collaboration have replaced pessimism. A talk for anyone who believes that great ideas don’t come from the centre – they come from the edge. More info...
  • 19:00
    SOHJO Hacks Hackathon - Winner Announcement and Awards
    • Luminous Stage
    • Sohjo Hacks — a 30-hour international hackathon — culminates on the Luminous Stage. Here, teams of developers, designers, and innovators bring their boldest ideas to life, solving real research and commercial challenges. The most impactful solutions rise to the top — and are awarded on stage. More info...

  • 20:00
    Closing words, networking and the Official SOHJO Afterparty by JOES @ Hub Joensuu
    • HUB Joensuu, Rantakatu 30, 80100 Joensuu
    • After the closing words, the Official SOHJO Afterparty by JOES will begin at HUB Joensuu, Rantakatu 30.