Keynote · 18:00–18:30
Launch party · 29 October 2026
Founders of Oulu Launch Party
Our first official launch. A relaxed, founder-led evening for builders, students, investors, and ecosystem partners. Come meet the people building from Oulu.
- Date
- Thursday 29 October 2026
- Time
- 17:00–20:00
- Location
- The 56 Lounge (formerly Njetworking), Isokatu 56, 90100 Oulu
About the evening
A founder-run association, officially launched.
Founders of Oulu is a registered association (ry) of active early-stage founders who believe Oulu’s startup scene needs a founder-driven identity, built by the people actually building companies. We focus on peer support, community events, and raising the ambition level of the local ecosystem.
The community has been meeting for months already. This evening is where it becomes official: we introduce the association to the wider ecosystem and say out loud what we are here to do.
Come whether you are a founder, a student, an investor, an ecosystem partner, or simply curious about what is being built from Oulu. The evening is free and we are serving food. RSVP so we know how many to cater for.
Keynote speakers
Two keynotes. Room for conversation.
A 15-minute keynote followed by a 15-minute moderated audience discussion.
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Keynote · 18:45–19:15
Päivi Järvenpää
Programme
Doors at 17:00, wrap-up by 20:00.
- 17:00–17:30
Doors open & welcome drinks
Welcome drinks, music, informal networking, a photo spot, food and refreshments.
- 17:30–17:45
Introducing Founders of Oulu & a shared toast
Welcome words and a toast together. Who we are, what we aim to do, the community we are building and an introduction to Innovation Machine.
- 17:45–18:00
Partnerships & the innovation challenge
Mikko (5 min): partnerships and sponsorship. Risto (10 min): prompting basics and instructions for the innovation challenge.
- 18:00–18:30
Keynote — Ville Hulkko
A 15-minute keynote followed by a 15-minute moderated audience discussion.
- 18:30–18:45
Break & networking
Refreshments, conversations, music and time to mingle.
- 18:45–19:15
Keynote — Päivi Järvenpää
A 15-minute keynote followed by a 15-minute moderated audience discussion.
- 19:15–19:45
Networking & the innovation challenge
Meet other founders and entrepreneurs, try AI tools and take part in the innovation challenge.
- 19:45–20:00
Awards & closing words
Announcing the innovation challenge winner, thanking our speakers and partners, sharing the next steps and taking a group photo.
- 20:00
The evening ends
The innovation challenge
Try an idea. Build something together.
Innovation Machine
Inno
Come curious.
Meet other founders and entrepreneurs, try AI tools and take part in the evening’s innovation challenge. Risto introduces prompting basics and explains how to join in at 17:45.
Challenge & networking 19:15–19:45. Awards at 19:45.
Our sponsors
Supporting the launch.
Nordic Option
Nordic Option is a reliable and responsible development partner for companies already on the path to growth.
Our venture fund operates as an LLC, and we focus our investments on growing small and medium-sized companies located in Northern Finland. Our criteria for investing are verified growth and significant growth prospects.
- Investment sizes
- €0.5–2.5 million
RSVP
Let us know you’re coming
Free to attend. We’re serving food, so tell us about any dietary requirements.
RSVPs for the launch party have closed. See the events page for what’s next.