SHIFT 2021 Stage Program release – the two festival days focus on future and Nordic growth companies 

Future & Growth, and some of the most topical themes of our time
In 2021, SHIFT Business Festival will focus on future and growth companies. Finland is the European startup and tech hub, especially within AI. In fact, Finnish startups receive the most venture capital funding in Europe, when examining the invested amount in relation to gross domestic product. Attracting foreign specialists to Finland is high on the growth company ecosystem’s agenda and international events such as SHIFT are necessary and relevant.

SHIFT stage program presents a range of companies of all sizes from the food tech and circular economy industry, investors, and specialists on AI and digital trust, such as Hedvig Kjellström from Silo AI, and Bruce Schneier from Harvard Kennedy School. Lauri Reuter, a former researcher, current founder and partner of Nordic FoodTech VC will explore megatrends of food technology. At the other end of the food production chain, one of Europe’s most inspiring food waste changemakers, a Norwegian Food Mentor Charlotte Aschim discusses how to balance the plant, people & profit in the food tech ecosystem.

Explore the program and all the speakers here. Some additions to come throughout the summer.

Intimate and intensive event experience against the remote work apathy
Like previous years, the SHIFT attracts Finnish front-row startup investors, and industry & tech leaders, and innovators. Also, a wide range of representatives of academia and the public sector are expected to join the festival. Year after year, one thing remains common to the diverse group of attendees: need and will for change of thoughts, and getting inspired by the future.

The speediest ticket holders have the opportunity to book accommodation right in the heart of the festival venue, Hotel Kakola. The idea came from wishing to provide a more intensive experience to a smaller group of people staying at the hotel, rather than ditching the live event component entirely.

– Companies need inspiration, new business opportunities, and in-person, face-to-face exchange of thoughts. We wish to disperse the innovation deprivation and apathy caused by remote work and have a tonic effect on Finnish and Nordic business life, says Sini Toivonen, SHIFT CEO.

In case the restrictions get tighter as we approach August, SHIFT has the full capacity to turn the festival virtual.