Slush

Early on Day 1, we brought together a curated group of 50 European policymakers for a closed-door Tech Policy Breakfast. The goal was simple: create space for an honest conversation about how Europe can stay competitive in tech. One of the highlights was a tech policy panel with Meredith Whittaker (Signal Messenger), Peter Sarlin (AMD Silo AI), Damian Boeselager (European Parliament), Ana Barjasic (EIC - European Innovation Council), and Vojtech Horna (Index Ventures). The discussion moved through AI and privacy, the gaps between EU-level and national action, the future of talent, and which single policy decision in 2026 could most meaningfully shift Europe’s trajectory. The takeaway was clear. Staying competitive will require bolder choices, fewer silos, and a shared sense of urgency. Pre-register for Slush 2026 to access the best ticket deals 👉 https://lnkd.in/dkwn523D Photos by Ali Abdul Rehman

Space is becoming more accessible, more urgent, and more high-stakes than ever before. But who will lead the next era? On Day 1 of Slush, Hélène Huby, Founder & CEO of The Exploration Company, joined Filip Felician Dames, Founding Partner at Cherry Ventures, on the Impact Stage to explore what it takes to build in one of the most demanding frontiers. The conversation touched on everything from reusable capsules and sustainable exploration to the role of public missions, hard-won failures, and the momentum building in deeptech. Yet all of it kept circling around one key idea: space is no longer just for specialists. It is for anyone bold enough to redefine what’s possible. Pre-register for Slush 2026 to access the best ticket deals 👉 https://lnkd.in/dXtgY9Sj Photo by Roberto Puentes

They say one sign of time well-spent is that you end up with a couple of blurry photos in your gallery, if any. If that's the case for you, don't worry. Our photography crew was out and about during Slush Week, capturing some of the iconic moments. Revisit or explore some of the highlights from the event 👉 photos.slush.org P.S. Feel free to share the photos, but remember to credit the photographers. Photo by Agustin Garagorry

What do people who attended Slush 2025 and those who watched from the sidelines have in common? Everyone is already asking about next year's edition. Here at Slush HQ, we're already on it. We're going through this year's feedback, digging into the details, and laying the groundwork for something even more ambitious. And while we work on that, here's our best advice: Pre-register to be the first to hear when ticket sales open and access the best deals for Slush 2026 👉 https://lnkd.in/dkwn523D

It's time for another love letter. This one is for the 1,700+ volunteers who built Slush 2025. You've seen them welcoming attendees at Info Points, keeping the badge flow moving, creating content for social media, making sure the venue stayed clean, facilitating the food experience, guiding attendees to their meeting spots, and making sure founders, investors, speakers, and partners have a seven-star experience. To all of our amazing volunteers: Thank you for making Slush 2025 happen. The Slush magic exists because of you 💚 Photo by Agustin Garagorry

Every year, after the main tasks of the Slush days are done, the core team gathers in a dark corner of Messukeskus to throw a small celebration and say: "We did it". Slush 2025 is over, and somehow, it feels bigger than the sum of its parts. A year of work, thousands of details, and one shared goal: to make this the best experience yet for founders, investors, and builders who believe that entrepreneurship is the way to change the world. From the first spark on Founder Stage to the last handshake in the Meeting Area, we've built this with you in mind. Thank you for being part of it. See you next year 💚 Pre-register for Slush 2026 👉 https://lnkd.in/dkwn523D

The Slush Afterparty is happening right now, and the energy is pure fire. 🔹 Founder Stage is hosting the most energetic performances of the night and is guaranteed to make you forget you’re on a work trip and not a festival. 🔹 Loska, the alter-ego of the Impact Stage is treating us to an epic DJ lineup experience. 🔹 The oh-so-classic Singa Karaoke Party at what you knew as the Builder Stage is already delivering one of the biggest karaoke moments you’ll see this year. Your favorite speakers, your newly-found investors, and your founder peers are all in party mode. Now, that's a night for the books. Photos by Agustin Garagorry (1), Roberto Puentes (2) and Miia Kilpiö (3).

We’re feeling all the feels on Day 2. Slush 2025 has brought together 13,000+ people from over 90 countries. We’ve listened to 250+ stellar speakers across four stages, hosted 25,000+ meetings, and watched the €1M prize land in the hands of the Slush 100 winner, Diffraqtion. But beyond the numbers, it was about the conversations in the halls, the serendipitous encounters, and the ideas that will keep growing long after today. Thank you for bringing your energy to light up Helsinki in one of the darkest months of the year. Still have some left? See you at the Afterparty.

We know you’ve been waiting for this news. From over a thousand applicants in August to one final pitch today, this year’s Slush 100 startup competition finally has its winner. Huge congrats to Diffraqtion 💚 This startup is building the next generation of visual AI hardware and software to make satellites and machines see further and think faster than ever. The team will be taking home the €1M equity funding prize from Cherry Ventures and General Catalyst. We’re excited to follow your journey and cheer on. Photo by Vertti Luoma

In a world full of noise, companies that stand out know how to tell a story. The kind that makes people listen, believe, and care. Musa Tariq, who has shaped brands like Burberry, Apple, Nike, and Airbnb, and is now the Co-founder of Science x Story, sat down with Antoine Nussenbaum, Co-founder and Partner at Felix Capital, to talk about the art of storytelling. They explored how the right story builds trust faster than any ad budget, and how founders who know what they stand for don’t need to shout to be heard. Tune in for the Founder Stage livestream 👉 slush.org/livestream Photos by Erica Dezonne