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FORTHEM Startup Day event united early-stage entrepreneurs, innovators, universities, and business professionals at Yritystehdas in Jyväskylä, Finland, and online around Europe in May. With a focus on sustainability, the day featured fascinating keynote presentations, engaging startup pitches, and valuable networking opportunities, making it an inspirational event for the local and extended startup community.

Organized by the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥'s StartupLab and the FORTHEM Alliance, the event was held on Thursday, 16th May 2024, with more than 50 participants online and at the premises of Startup Factory in Jyväskylä.

Sustainability was the Highlight of the Day!

The event kicked off with inspiring words from Katriina Lahtinen of Startup Factory (Yritystehdas), setting the stage for a day of insightful discussions. The theme for the event was "Sustainability."

"We believe sustainable development and growth are achievable when individuals understand themselves, their communities, and their environment as part of the larger whole that must operate in balance and a life-sustaining manner. Entrepreneurship and businesses are at their best strengthened, and accelerate more sustainable development."

Next, two distinguished keynote speakers from the industry and academia shared their perspectives on sustainability:

Timo Saarinen, the CEO of eWatt Smart Power Systems Ltd. (FI), delivered a talk on the "Sustainable Electricity Market," exploring innovative solutions for a greener future. Saarinen highlighted the need for new solutions in the energy sector to support transitioning to renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and ensuring fair pricing.

"We need more people to become interested in the renewable energy sector. There is a lot of work and a lot of place for new startups, companies, and new ideas!"

He continued to pursue the need for cooperation beyond the borders of a single country:

"We need to do this together. We need everybody on board in creating an electricity market that serves both humanity and our planet. If half of us are not ready to do anything and do not accept the situation, the problem becomes huge."

Dr. Teresa Climent from the University of Valencia (ES) stirred a lot of discussion in the audience with her presentation on "Microscale Chemistry and Sustainability," highlighting the exciting intersection of scientific advancement and environmental stewardship.

In the past 20 years, Dr. Climent has successfully changed laboratory practices towards higher sustainability via innovating new practices and optimizing scale to reduce the reagent amounts. This has led, e.g., to a significant decrease in chemical residues and increased laboratory safety, and the team has noticed a reduction in the experiment duration and usage of gas, electricity, and water at the premises.

"I agree with the previous speaker, Timo, that we all must do this together. We need to increase the general conciousness about the environment. We can teach the students about the possibilities of making changes in the laboratory practices - think about it, even one drop less multiplies quickly with hundreds of students visiting the laboratory!"

The Pitchers Painted New Horizons

The heart of the event was the dynamic startup pitch session, where entrepreneurs and innovators presented their ideas:

• Sara Alcaraz, Project Leader of the Tourism Hub, introduced a visionary path for developing the economy and tourism of rural regions with truly inspiring ideas.
• Sahed Kolawole, Founder of Abroaducate, showcased his startup aimed at enhancing educational opportunities abroad. His passion for this project was very tangible!
• Jari-Mikko Meriläinen, Researcher, presented the Significant Bank Database, a novel approach to financial data management that is set to revolutionize the way we manage our money.

A panel of experts gave their insights to the presenters and was on hand to guide them in the right direction. The pitchers were eager to soak up all the knowledge offered by the Startup Factory’s coaches Katriina Lahtinen and Matti Mieskolainen, innovation and co-creation manager Jarno Mikkonen, startup consultant Sarah Betzel-Göb from the city of Mainz, and chief investment officer Patrik Louko at the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥.

The event concluded with networking sessions, both in-person and virtual, fostering valuable connections and collaborations. We are excited to announce the next Startup Day in autumn 2024, ensuring ongoing momentum and excitement!

Want to Stay Involved?

Missed the event? Don't worry! There are plenty of opportunities to engage with the Startup Day community. Keep an eye out for future events, and feel free to reach out if you're interested in pitching ideas, participating as a keynote speaker, or joining the organizing team.