Introduction to Slush 2025
Slush 2025 is set to cement its reputation as Europe’s premier founder school, returning to Helsinki on November 19–20 with a record-breaking concentration of startup talent and venture capital. The event will bring together 13,000 attendees at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, including 6,000 startup founders and operators and 3,500 investors representing over $4 trillion in assets under management. With startups and investors comprising 73% of the audience — the highest proportion in the event’s history — Slush demonstrates its commitment to fostering meaningful, high-impact connections.
From Student Initiative to Global Startup Powerhouse
Founded in 2008 as a modest 250-person gathering, Slush has become the world’s largest venture capital meeting and a global beacon for entrepreneurship. Its unique student-led model relies on a core team of 40 students and recent graduates, supported by 1,600 young volunteers. This approach has sparked dramatic shifts in Finland’s entrepreneurial mindset. According to Sitra, entrepreneurial interest among Finnish students grew from a mere 1% in the early 2000s to over 30% two decades later.
The Impact of Slush
Slush’s influence now extends far beyond Finland. Over the past decade, the movement has gone global with more than 75 events and 40,000 attendees worldwide. Major gatherings in Tokyo, Shanghai, and Singapore, along with Slush’D events in unexpected locations like Mandal, Norway, have created a worldwide network of entrepreneurial communities inspired by the original Helsinki model. Aino Bergius, CEO at Slush, shares how this transformation is happening, stating that the goal is! to be the best founder school in Europe by opening doors to the startup world and giving young people the tools and confidence to build world-changing companies.
What to Expect at Slush 2025
Slush 2025 offers a variety of activities and opportunities for attendees. The exclusive Founders Day, held on the eve of the main event, offers curated content and peer networking for startup operators. The Startup Stage gives top early-stage startups from Europe and beyond a 10-minute spotlight to pitch their vision, while the coveted Slush 100 Startup Competition sees founders compete for equity investments from leading funds like General Catalyst and Cherry Ventures.
Building Tomorrow’s Startup Ecosystem
Slush operates as an entrepreneurial incubator disguised as an event. For 65% of its volunteers, the primary motivation is learning about the startup ecosystem, networking, and taking their first steps into the startup world. Through company visits, comprehensive training programs, and curated networking opportunities, volunteers gain hands-on experience that often leads to future founder roles. The volunteer program stands at the heart of this mission, with over 1,600 volunteers from more than 50 countries helping to make the event happen each year.
Diversity as a Competitive Advantage
Slush’s 2025 full-time team exemplifies its commitment to diverse perspectives. With an average age of 25, the 40-person team represents 14 educational institutions. Forty per cent speak a native language other than Finnish or Swedish, while 58% identify as something other than male. Women and non-binary individuals hold 63% of leadership positions. This diversity serves as Slush’s secret weapon in challenging conventional thinking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Slush 2025 is set to be an exciting and impactful event, bringing together startup talent and venture capital from around the world. With its unique student-led model, global reach, and commitment to diversity, Slush is shaping the future of entrepreneurship, one founder at a time. As Aino Bergius, CEO at Slush, says, "The youth of today are the architects of tomorrow. That’s why we look for people excited about building and solving hard problems, rather than simply optimising what already exists." With its focus on experiential learning, year-round support, and sustainability, Slush is cementing its reputation as Europe’s premier founder school.
