NorthernStars
1st November 2023 at 9–16.15
Restaurant Nallikari, Nallikarinranta 15, 90510 Oulu
Welcome to NorthernStars!
Oulu is full of great success stories, and it is yet again time to showcase what our NorthernStars are made of, along with their journeys to growth and success. You will hear the stories of companies from start to all the way to finish – to exit. How did all this happen?
Come and find out at NorthernStars!
A day full of great keynotes, panel discussions, and pitches. Meet with investors and enjoy a great atmosphere plus excellent talks about investing and growth from both the companies’ and investors’ points of view.
That is what NorthernStars is made of!
Registration
The event is free of charge
Program
9:00
Registration and coffee
9:25
Welcome words
Laura Meriläinen — Startup and Investor Relations Manager, BusinessOulu
9:30
Keynote – From Co-founder to Exit to Startup Weekend to Co-founder – Story of Jonos.io
Peetu Nuottajärvi – Chief Technology Officer, Jonos.io and Co-Founder, Buutti
9:50
Company pitches
10:00
Keynote – How to find the courage to jump on a startup rollercoaster when markets are screaming recession?
Juuso Huusko-Viikilä – Co-Founder, Duty
10:20
Keynote – Ten megatrends that will affect our future and bring new business opportunities
Elina Hiltunen – Futurist, Keynote speaker
11:00
Company pitches
11.10
Keynote – From Zero to Hero — How passion and persistence led into success and growth? Case Benjamin
Erno Tauriainen – CEO & Founder, Benjamin
11:30
Lunch
12:30
Keynote – How Fiban strengthens regional growth ecosystems?
Antti Lehtimäki – Fiban Board Member
12:45
Keynote – Early launch to engage end users – Steam early access launch of Great Houses of Calderia
Anna Salomaa – CEO & Co-Founder, Resistance Games
13:00
Keynote – Hedging your angel investments during downturn
Rene Kromhof ‑Angel investor
13:30
Panel discussion – Founder dynamics, Case Buutti
Moderator:
Laura Meriläinen — Startup and Investor Relations Manager, BusinessOulu
Mikko Koistinen – CEO & Co-Founder, Buutti
Peetu Nuottajärvi – Co-Founder, Buutti
14:00
Coffee and networking
15:00
Panel discussion – Gaining momentum by failing
Moderator:
Sami Halonen, Chief Gardener and Co-Founder, Kielo Growth
Martta Tervonen – CEO & Founder
Ykä Marjanen – CEO & Founder, Manna Insect
Juuso Nissilä – Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer, Summa Labs
15:30
Hunting Scalability – Finding the right Product-Market-Fit (PMF) – Case Anicare
Aki Marttila – CEO & Founder, Anicare
15:40
Hunting Scalability – Finding the right Product-Market-Fit (PMF) – reflective panel discussion
Moderator:
Laura Meriläinen – Startup and Investor Relations Manager, BusinessOulu
Markku Lappalainen – Angel Investor, Serial Entrepreneur & Mentor
Henri Heikkinen – Founder, Valco
Turo Tervonen – CEO, Murea
16:10
Wrap up and closing words
Laura Meriläinen
16:15
Event ends …And Afterparty starts
Afterparty
When & Where
1st November 2023 18:30 onwards
Mallaskellari, Kirkkokatu 17, 90100 Oulu (See location on map)
Let’s reach for the NorthernStars!
Speakers
Peetu
Nuottajärvi
Software developer and project manager. Cofounder of software consulting and education company Buutti that was acquired by Netum Oyj in 2023. Forte is building web- and mobile apps for new startups, few where Peetu is also as a cofounder, newest being Jonos.io — app for ordering drinks.
Juuso
Huusko-Viikilä
Digital sales & marketing professional with one exit in the pocket from selling digital marketing agency Digimoguli to Myynninmaailma / Ilkka Oyj. Co-founder of Duty, which is a digital platform that is connecting people who need help with people who need money.
Elina
Hiltunen
Elina Hiltunen is a futurist, DSc (Business administration) and MSc (chemical engineering). Elina is (co/) author of 14 books. Currently she is making her second doctoral thesis at National Defence University,
Forbes has listed Elina as one of the 50 leading female futurists in the world.
Erno
Tauriainen
Fintech entrepreneur in the U.S (New York) for over a decade with exit in cash back category.
Currently building third startup, Benjamin — hybrid everyday cash back and entertainment neobank for customers and brands.
Antti
Lehtimäki
Anna
Salomaa
CEO and co-founder of PC strategy game company Resistance Games. Former Project Manager, former LAB Master of Oulu Game LAB. Board Member of We in Games Finland ry, an organization for improving diversity, equity and inclusion within the games industry.
Rene
Kromhof
Mikko
Koistinen
Sami
Halonen
Found my first company in 2003. Have been practicing entrepreneurship and ownership with 30+ startup & growth companies ever since. Still learning and in Genesis of my PhD dissertation about entrepreneuership and ownership.
Martta
Tervonen
Passionate communications & creative marketing professional. Also entrepreneur, lawyer, writer, football fan and a dog lover.
Ykä
Marjanen
Tech entrepreneur, co-founder of GrainSense and Manna Insect. Driven for scaling sustainable food production all over the world. PhD in technology, studied in Finland, US and UK.
CEO of Manna Insect.
Juuso
Nissilä
Aki
Marttila
Markku
Lappalainen
Henri
Heikkinen
Co-founder and Supreme Leader of Valco Oy and the CEO of Sauron & Vader Holdings, the smallest evil corporations on earth. Jack of all trades and Master of Engineering. Responsible for Valco products and customer-facing content. Loves traveling, good food, and sunshine — despises cold winters. Dreaming of moving south.
Turo
Tervonen
Information about the event
Laura Meriläinen
Startup and Investor Relations Manager
040 573 1511
laura.merilainen@businessoulu.com