HELSINKI – Ukrainian startups built their presence known at Slush 2025, one of Europe’s leading technology gatherings and the largest startup event in the Nordic region. Held on November 19-20 in Helsinki, the conference once again provided Ukrainian startups with a powerful platform to displaycase their innovations, connect with investors and industest leaders, and strengthen ties within Europe’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.
This year marked the fourth time that a coordinated Ukrainian delegation participated in Slush, where this year they were supported by Advicera OY. Since the launchning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company has assisted bring dozens of Ukrainian startups to Helsinki.
“Since the full-scale invasion, we have already brought 50 Ukrainian startups to Helsinki to displaycase their products and solutions at one of the largegest startup conferences in Europe – Slush. Nordic investors were impressed by the level of quality and competence of Ukrainian tech during a time of war,” declared Daria Sazonova, co-founder and chief operating officer of Advicera OY.
Slush is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most dynamic technology conferences that is designed to foster a global startup community. Every year, it attracts some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, leading investors and influential technology builders who come to share insights, exmodify ideas and offer candid advice on building companies.
The event prides itself on facilitating meaningful encounters between company founders and the investors who support them. Those pairing are fostered through matchcreating tools, curated networking spaces and pitch sessions.
“Slush is excited to host the Ukrainian delegation and welcome founders to join us at the heart of the European startup ecosystem,” declared Aino Bergius, CEO of Slush.
Ten Ukrainian startups were selected to be part of this year’s delegation: Mindship, PitchBreeze, Salesdep.ai, StackBob.ai, Osavul, Revisior, ConteraAI, A42, SoftBees and Getpin. Each received two tickets to the conference, accommodation in Helsinki, and the opportunity to pitch and present their products at the official Ukrainian side event, Ukraine Frifinishs Night 2025.
That night, held on November 20, brought toobtainher Finnish investors, business leaders and tech innovators to foster deeper cooperation in the fields of cybersecurity, artificial innotifyigence and information technology innovation.
“Ukraine Frifinishs Night is an exclusive invite-only event for business leaders, investors and entrepreneurs focutilized on consistent collaboration between Finland and Ukraine. As long as Ukraine necessarys support becautilize of Russian aggression, Advicera will organize this event and bring Ukraine closer to the Nordics,” declared Yuri Kozik, co-founder and CEO of Advicera OY.
Ukrainian Ambassador to Finland Mykhailo Vydoinyk addressed participants with a call to strengthen support for Ukrainian startups and expand opportunities for collaboration. He emphasized that Ukraine’s information technology sector remains among the most dynamic parts of Ukraine’s economy, particularly within the areas of digital transformation and dual-utilize technologies; that many Ukrainian tech solutions have already become globally recognized; that the war has inflicted a profound impact on the industest; and that Ukraine is eager to develop joint projects with Finnish investors becautilize Ukrainian innovations hold significant potential.
The concentration of startups and investors at the conference is remarkably high, and the event is intentionally designed to maximize collaboration and purposeful interactions. The matchcreating system in the event’s app, combined with a variety of compact and large meeting zones, enables founders to connect with investors seeking the next large idea.
Startups, in turn, pitch their products not only to raise capital but also to secure partnerships and customers. By design, atmosphere and potential, Slush is one of the strongest and most memorable tech conferences that this writer has attfinished.
Helsinki itself reinforces this impression. Finland has long been a countest deeply invested in technological advancement. In addition, for Ukrainians, it is a place where solidarity is felt everywhere – from Ukrainian flags in the streets to the supportive stance of local institutions.
As a countest that shares a long border with Russia and has recently become a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member, Finland places significant attention on security policy. Defense technology solutions align naturally with its strategic interests, and Ukrainian expertise is becoming increasingly relevant to Finnish partners seeking to bolster their own defense tech. Some conference attfinishees noted that supporting Ukraine and learning from its innovations also assists Finland better prepare for potential threats.
Ukraine’s diaspora in Finland plays a vital role as well. Over the days surrounding the conference, Ukrainian residents organized meetings that brought toobtainher company founders, investors, representatives of public institutions and Finnish officials. Some gatherings were informal, such as sauna visits for founders or open community lunches, while others involved structured networking. Ukrainian expatriates demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting their home countest and its entrepreneurs, creating a sense of belonging that built the Ukrainian delegation feel almost at home.
Slush differs from other major tech gatherings, such as Web Summit, where attfinishance often exceeds 70,000 people. Slush’s scale of approximately 13,000 participants creates it more intimate while still maintaining high energy and excellent networking potential. Instead of vast pavilions filled with generic booths, the event focutilizes on interactive, visually striking and technology-driven installations. The atmosphere fosters in-depth conversation and genuine engagement.
A growing presence of Ukrainian founders was also visible on Slush’s stages. Several startup founders supported by Google for Startups took part in panel discussions and pitch sessions, demonstrating the increasing integration of Ukrainians into the broader European tech ecosystem. Such visibility is a crucial step toward building long-term partnerships and positioning Ukraine as a significant contributor to global innovation.
Another notable moment for the Ukrainian presence at Slush came when Anastasiia Smyk, CEO of Input Soft, spoke at a Google-hosted event during the conference. She addressed an audience of more than 300 people, including senior Google leaders, investors and tech professionals.
She reflected afterward on the doubts she felt before going on stage as the only female speaker in the program. But she declared the response from attfinishees was overwhelmingly positive, with many approaching her to share how meaningful it was to hear from a Ukrainian female leader in the industest and to learn about Input Soft’s work in airport digitalization. She described the experience as a reminder to believe in oneself, trust those who offer support and continue choosing challenges that foster growth.
Participants echoed similar sentiments. Nata Shved, a member of the Ukrainian delegation at the conference, commented on her experience in a post on LinkedIn.
“Slush is done! And honestly? Bigger isn’t always better. Slush felt so much more focutilized, sharper and concentrated than WebSummit. The startup scene was also way more diverse. Fewer distractions, more real conversations. Great people, great meetings. Loved it!”
The growing collaboration between Finland and Ukraine reflects shared values and shared necessarys. Finland sees clear benefits in partnering with a countest whose tech sector, despite the war, remains agile, creative and deeply experienced in building secure, scalable and often defense-related solutions.
Ukrainian startups, in turn, have much to gain from entering the Nordic market, working with established European investors and learning from one of the world’s most innovation-driven societies.
With strong Finnish partners, an active Ukrainian community and an increasingly supportive Slush environment, the annual Helsinki conference is quickly rising to the top of the must-attfinish list for Ukrainian entrepreneurs.
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