The weather around Slush is always promising! ?? We are excited to be part of the Finnish ???? ecosystem at this given time - important notes by Hannu Verkasalo about the current state and the right outlook towards driving innovation.
??? Slush, Start-ups, and Snow: A Helsinki Tale ?? This week, I had the privilege of being in Helsinki, Finland, during the annual Slush start-up conference. And let me tell you—both the event and the weather were aptly named. Wind, rain, and slush everywhere! It felt like Helsinki itself was giving me a crash course in resilience. ????? But hey, nothing builds character like braving the elements with wet socks and a good idea. Between dodging puddles and thawing out, I had some fantastic meetings about Behavix and our behavioral clickstream data journey. The level of interest and excitement in our business blew me away—though maybe not as hard as the Helsinki wind. ?? While I love the Finnish start-up ecosystem, a few thoughts popped into my head (perhaps as I was drying off indoors): 1?? It's amazing to see so much VC capital flowing into Helsinki—fantastic progress! 2?? But let’s be honest, we need to level up the quality and pipeline of ventures here. More unicorns, less reindeer! ??? 3?? And, for the love of snow boots, Finland must become more welcoming to foreign talent. Immigration isn’t just a political debate—it’s the lifeblood of innovation. Let’s roll out the red carpet, not the red tape. Despite the weather, the meetings were warm, insightful, and energizing. I couldn’t be prouder of how much enthusiasm Behavix is generating. The future of behavioral data has never looked brighter, even if Helsinki’s November skies are darker than a Finnish sauna at midnight. And now, as the week closes, Helsinki is suddenly covered in a pristine blanket of snow. ?? Winter has finally arrived! It’s perfect timing for the weekend—time to enjoy the crisp air, the beautiful snow-covered city, and a much-needed dry pair of socks. Here’s to weathering the storm, building the future, and embracing the snow. ??? #Slush2024 #StartupLife #Behavix #WinterVibes