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Thank you for participating to SOHJO Business Event 2026 and Welcome to the Next Level on 2027!

SOHJO Business Event 2026 | March 26–27, 2026

Venue: Original Sokos Hotel Kimmel, Joensuu

It Was Luminous!

SOHJO is Eastern Finland’s biggest business event, bringing together startups, companies, investors and top speakers – along with the creative minds shaping the next wave of growth.
At SOHJO 2026, the iconic Nasdaq Closing Bell rang in Joensuu — a rare moment in the Nordics.  
#SOHJO #Susicorn @businessjoensuu


SOHJO 2026 Business Event was #luminous! Thank you for participating!

Check out the luminous vibes from our photo gallery - link below!

SOHJO Business Event 2026_Nasdaq Closing Bell Ceremony_Photo by Harri Saynevirta - Business Joensuu

SOHJO 2027 | February 18-19 | Joensuu

SOHJO Business Event 2027 - Buy Super Early Bird Ticket

SOHJO Business Event will return – and go to the Next Level in 2027! 

Be among the first to secure your place at SOHJO 2027 Business Event (18–19 Feb) – Eastern Finland’s biggest business event, growing to 1000+ participants. We will announce more details during Spring 2026.

🔥 PARTNERS

If you’re interested in partnering in SOHJO 2027, contact us at XP Crew for partner deals. We have some very exciting opportunities for next year.

Email: hello@xpcrew.fi
Janne: +358 50 303 1470  
Sam: +358 44 970 6308 

Tickets sales will open on April 2026!

Photos - The Glow of SOHJO 2026

Photos from SOHJO 2026 will be continuously uploaded by our official photographers during the event and after it. Explore the gallery and download your favourite moments.

Image Usage

Images in photographer Harri Säynevirta’s gallery may only be used in social media posts related to the SOHJO 2026 event. If you are interested in purchasing usage rights for Harri Säynevirta’s photos, please contact:
harri@saynevirta.fi.
When contacting, please include:

  • Which image(s) you would like to license
  • The intended use (e.g. publication, marketing, personal use)
  • Any additional requests or questions.

Relive the spark and share the experience!

SOHJO 2026 Vibes

SOHJO Business Event 2026 Registration point
The registration point occupied by enthusiastic volunteers. Photo: Harri Säynevirta
SOHJO Business Event 2026 Luminous Hosts
Luminous Hosts Harri Kolehmainen and Preeti Jadhav. Photo: Harri Säynevirta
SOHJO Business Event 2026 hall getting crowded
The Susicorn Stage hall getting crowded with humans and humanoids. Photo: Harri Säynevirta
SOHJO Business Event 2026 Audience
 Photo: Harri Säynevirta
SOHJO Business Event 2026 SOHJO Logo with Ina Mikkola
SOHJO Logo with Ina Mikkola. Photo: Risto Takala
SOHJO Business Event 2026 Kari Kola Streaming
Light Artist Kari Kola streamed his keynote speech from Australia. Photo: Risto Takala
SOHJO Business Event 2026 Panelists on Hype vs Purpose
Panel discussing the importance of emphasizing purpose over hype in branding. Photo: Harri Säynevirta
SOHJO Business Event 2026 The Nasdaq Bell
Thomas Mathews from Abloy closed the stock trading day on Susicorn Stage with Erja Retzén, Nasdaq. Photo: Harri Säynevirta
SOHJO Business Event 2026 Match Made in Joensuu
Match Made in Joensuu. Photo: Harri Säynevirta
SOHJO Business Event 2026 Studio Käpynä AI Art Installation with LuovAIn!
Real time AI Art Installation by Studio Käpynä Oy with LuovAIn! Project. Photo: Harri Säynevirta
SOHJO Business Event 2026 20260327 024 Harri Säynevirta
Breathing Coach Hermanni Hakalisto on his keynote. Photo: Harri Säynevirta
SOHJO Business Event 2026 Ronny Eriksson - ODD, Bold and Brilliant
Ronny Eriksson on his keynote about the next generation of bold entrepreneurs and visionaries. Photo: Harri Säynevirta
SOHJO Business Event 2026 Audience
 Photo: Harri Säynevirta
SOHJO Business Event 2026 - Stacy K Vaughn
Stacy K Vaughn finishing her keynote about doing business with U.S. Government. Photo: Verna Lukkari
SOHJO Business Event 2026 Jiri Jormakka
Jiri Jormakka on his keynote about Kelluu. Photo: Risto Takala
SOHJO Business Event 2026 Peter Vesterbacka
Peter Vesterbacka: Impossible is Nothing. Photo: Risto Takala
SOHJO Business Event 2026 Peter Vesterbacka
Peter Vesterbacka: Impossible is Nothing. Photo: Harri Säynevirta
SOHJO Business Event 2026 - Recolth - Susicorn Startup Competition Winner 2026 - Business Joensuu
Nicholas Kosonen of Recolth Oy pitching for  Susicorn Jury. Photo: Harri Säynevirta
Susicorn Startup Competition Finalists 2026 and Jury
Susicorn Startup Competition Finalists 2026 and Jury. Photo: Harri Säynevirta
SOHJO Business Event 2026 Susicorn Trophy
The Susicorn Trophy. Photo: Risto Takala

International Festival of Business, Innovation and Creativity 

SOHJO 2026 Business Event brought together inspiring keynotes, expert panels, hands-on workshops and cross-sector collaboration from around the world.

SOHJO is Eastern Finland’s boldest stage for startups, innovation, technology and creativity, bringing together companies, investors and experts to spark new business, partnerships and growth - filled with pure business festival spirit. 

Reflecting the theme Luminous, discussions explore photonics and light-based technologies, alongside emerging markets such as digital border security and dual-use technologies, AI and robotics, startup growth and capital markets, and the role of creativity in innovation and regional development.

The primary language of the festival was English.
Dress code: Business Festival

Luminous Program, Impactful Side Events

Discover the SOHJO program and side events where business, technology and creativity come together – bringing inspiring encounters and festival buzz to Joensuu throughout the week. 

SOHJO Speakers

  • SOHJO Business Event 2026 - Keynote Speaker Stacy K Vaughn
    Stacy K. Vaughn
    »
  • SOHJO Business Event - Speaker 2026 Erja Retzen
    Erja Retzén
    »
  • SOHJO Business Event 2026 - Keynote Speaker Thomas Mathews
    Thomas Mathews
    »
  • SOHJO Business Event 2026 - Keynote Speaker Peter Vesterbacka
    Peter Vesterbacka

     

    »
  • SOHJO Business Event 2026 - Keynote Speaker Irene Viinikkala
    Irene Viinikkala
    »
  • SOHJO Business Event - Keynote Speaker 2026 Sanna Rautio
    Sanna Rautio

     

    »
  • SOHJO Business Event 2026 - Keynote Speaker Tiina Laisi-Puheloinen
    Tiina Laisi-Puheloinen
    »
  • SOHJO Business Event 2026 - Humanoid Live Demo Arska & Dolly
    Arska & Dolly
    »
  • SOHJO Business Event - Speaker 2026 Matti Tikanmäki
    Matti Tikanmäki
    »
  • SOHJO Business Event - Speaker 2026 - Ronny Eriksson
    Ronny Eriksson

     

    »
  • SOHJO Business Event - Keynote Speaker 2026 Kari Kola
    Kari Kola
    »
  • SOHJO Business Event - Speaker 2026 Jiri Jormakka
    Jiri Jormakka
    »
  • SOHJO Business Event 2026 - Keynote Speaker Ina Mikkola
    Ina Mikkola
    »
  • SOHJO Business Event - Speaker 2026 Taavi Kuisma
    Taavi Kuisma
    »
  • SOHJO Business Event - Speaker 2026 Petri Lauronen
    Petri Lauronen
    »
  • SOHJO Business Event - Speaker 2026 Kaisa Rönkkö
    Kaisa Rönkkö
    »
  • SOHJO Business Event - Speaker 2026 Hermanni Hakalisto
    Hermanni Hakalisto
    »
  • SOHJO Business Event 2026 - Susicorn Startup Competition Jury Member Kaj Hagros
    Kaj Hagros
    »
  • SOHJO Business Event - Speaker 2026 Minna Hendolin
    Minna Hendolin
    »
  • SOHJO Business Event - Speaker 2026 Joonas Karvinen
    Joonas Karvinen
    »
  • SOHJO Business Event 2026 - Keynote Speaker Tomi Haring
    Tomi Haring
    »
Susicorn Startup Competition - Stamp white

Susicorn Startup Competition 

Susicorn is where bold, future-shaping business ideas and startup innovations compete for the Brightest Susicorn Award, a launchpad for growth from the greater Joensuu region to the world, and the attention of investors and partners.

Companies, startups, spinoffs, students, and innovation- and business-minded individuals and teams from around the world are invited to submit their ideas between January 1 and 31, 2026.

The Susicorn final - Pitch for the Brightest Susicorn - will take place at SOHJO on March 27, 2026, where six finalists will pitch their innovations live on stage to the Susicorn jury and audience.

SOHJO News

  • 31.03.2026 • Business Joensuu news

    SOHJO 2026: The “Texas of Finland” Emerges from the Fusion of Energy, Industry and New Technology

    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...

  • 27.03.2026 • Business Joensuu news

    Foot health device improves functional ability and supports rehabilitation – Recolth wins the Susicorn Startup Competition 2026

     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...

  • 27.03.2026 • Business Joensuu news

    University laboratories finally open to companies – “a dream come true,” says startup veteran

    Millions have been invested in university equipment, and now the goal is to generate value by opening these laboratories to companies, says the organizer of the SOHJO Hackathon, which focuses on...

  • 10.03.2026 • Business Joensuu news

    Nasdaq’s Closing Bell rings in Joensuu – SOHJO brings startups, companies, investors and growth markets together

    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...

  • 05.02.2026 • Business Joensuu news

    Sign up for SOHJO Hacks – University R&D Labs Open to Companies for the First Time

    Registration is now open for SOHJO Hacks, an international hackathon bringing together companies, researchers, startups, and student teams to co-create solutions for future challenges. Sohjo Hacks...

  • 01.12.2025 • Business Joensuu news

    Finland’s Longest-Running Startup Competition is now Susicorn

    PRESS RELEASE 1 December 2025

    The Start Me Up business idea competition, organized since 1999, has been renewed and will take place under the name Susicorn Startup Competition in 2026. It is...

Luminous Partners