Ready to take your business to the next level? Join us at Business Unplugged on November 12 in Helsinki!

Business Unplugged is back for its 10th edition in the heart of Helsinki, bringing together entrepreneurs and business minds for an evening of inspiration, learning, and meaningful connections. This year, the spotlight is on sales and marketing. Sell smart, market smarter!

The event will dive into sales and marketing, covering how to sell in Finland and understanding the Finnish customer. Hear inspiring stories from entrepreneurs, gain actionable insights, and make the most of networking opportunities with like-minded professionals.

The event also offers free legal advice by Suomen Yrittäjät, business consulting, photography, quick portrait illustrations, bingo, and other activities!

The event will take place on November 12, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM in Helsinki. The venue is Sofia, located at Sofiankatu 4 C.

The event is specifically aimed at immigrants who are entrepreneurs or aspiring to become entrepreneurs. However, everyone else is also welcome to attend!

Speakers

Klaus Matilainen

CEO

Klaus Matilainen is the CEO and Founding Partner of ImpactOS, a Finnish sustainability data platform helping organisations turn environmental performance into business advantage. With a background in digital strategy and sustainable business, he focuses on how companies can use data to gain competitive advantage and deepen their understanding of sustainability.

Laila Fe Balinggan

Entrepreneur & Business Owner

Laila Fe Balinggan is a growth marketer and the owner of Design and Disrupt, a digital marketing company specializing in online ads and SEO. She helps businesses grow their visibility, attract quality leads, and scale sustainably through data-driven strategies. With experience working with clients across Finland and abroad, Laila combines creativity and analytics to deliver measurable results. Passionate about empowering entrepreneurs, she’s known for her hands-on approach and commitment to helping small businesses thrive online.

Elie El-Khouri

Business Advisor

Elie El-Khouri is an authorized business advisor at Business Helsinki. He helps entrepreneurs and companies start, grow, and overcome challenges while identifying new opportunities. With over 18 years of experience in business consulting and Helsinki city policy, Elie brings a broad perspective to supporting business success. He is passionate about guiding businesses to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

Petri Parvinen

Professor

Petri Parvinen works as Full Professor of Strategic Marketing and Management at the University of Helsinki, the leading university in Finland, and as part-time Visiting Distinguished Professor at the Aalto University School of Business. His interdisciplinary research has been published in an leading journals in marketing, sales, management, innovation, natural resources management, information systems and computer science and he has authored several best-seller books. He has worked with hundreds of organizations, reinforcing growth by helping the front-line of sales organizations. He is the original father of the Aalto Ventures Program (AVP), a popular worldwide lecturer, non-executive board member and investor with private equity funds. In a book review, he has been pegged “an academic enfant terrible, whose uncontainable power of expression is something new and fresh from the academic community.

Maria Nyroos

Host & Specialist

Maria Nyroos is a digital and innovation policy specialist at Suomen Yrittäjät. She has strong expertise in RDI and EU affairs and is committed to promoting innovation and supporting businesses as key drivers of Finland’s growth.

Harri Jaskari

Vice President

Harri Jaskari is the director of business policy at Suomen Yrittäjät. He has a diverse background in politics, business advocacy, and research. He has served three terms as a Member of Parliament, as Party Secretary of the National Coalition Party, and as a Special Adviser to a Minister. Harri has represented business interests both at the Confederation of Finnish Industries and at the Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he has worked in the export industry and conducted research on growth entrepreneurship in Finland and the United Kingdom

Pavel Maksimenko

Entrepreneur & Chair of the Migrant Entrepreneur Committee

Pavel Maksimenko is an entrepreneur and partner at Adeptus Oy, specializing in emotional intelligence and decision psychology in leadership and sales. With over a decade of executive experience, he now helps leaders and organizations grow by combining science-based methods with practical training programs. He also serves as the Chair of the Migrant Entrepreneur Committee of Suomen Yrittäjät.

Marianne Ruusunhelmi

Panel Host & Specialist

Marianne Ruusunhelmi works as a specialist at Suomen Yrittäjät focusing on migrant entrepreneurs, solo entrepreneurs, and those in the creative industries. She is dedicated to strengthening the visibility and impact of these entrepreneurs within Finland’s business landscape.

Essi Eirene

DJ

DJ Essi Eirene is a regular in Helsinki nightlife. She serves an eclectic mix of genres ranging from disco and pop to house from different eras, keeping the mood high throughout the evening.

Programme

Arrival at your own pace.

Maria Nyroos (Suomen Yrittäjät), the event host, officially opens the Business Unplugged session with a warm welcome to all participants and a brief overview of the program ahead.

Pavel Maksimenko, Chair of the Migrant Entrepreneur Committee, will deliver the welcome remarks and celebrate the 10th anniversary of Business Unplugged.

Prof. Petri Parvinen from the University of Helsinki delivers the keynote, sharing insights and practical tips on how to effectively sell to Finnish customers.

In this panel discussion, immigrant entrepreneur Laila Fe Balinggan, Vice President of Suomen Yrittäjät Harri Jaskari, and a business advisor Elie El-Khouri from Business Helsinki delve into what it takes for immigrant entrepreneurs to succeed in Finland.

They share insights on overcoming challenges, adapting to a new business culture, and building networks that open doors to opportunity. Together, they explore how diverse backgrounds and fresh perspectives can drive innovation and create thriving businesses in Finland’s entrepreneurial landscape.

The panel will be moderated by Marianne Ruusunhelmi (Suomen Yrittäjät).

In a world where markets and regulation shift faster than ever, waiting for stability means falling behind. Those who lead with data gain clarity amid the chaos, and a decisive edge in how they sell and market.

In this talk, Klaus Matilainen, CEO of ImpactOS, reveals how to use data as the foundation for winning customers and driving growth. He will share how forward-thinking companies from startups to global leaders are using data to turn impact into performance. The result is smarter sales, stronger marketing, and sustainable growth in the age of impact.

Ruslana Kuisma was named the Migrant Entrepreneur of the Year 2025. She will also be celebrated as part of Business Unplugged, where her inspiring story will be shared. This part will be in Finnish.

The cocktail reception kicks off with DJ Essi Eirene spinning tunes for two hours, accompanied by cocktail bites, relaxed networking, and the chance to explore the exhibitor stands.

In addition, you can enjoy free business consulting, legal advice from Suomen Yrittäjät, photography, quick portrait illustrations, bingo, and a variety of other fun activities!

Two grand prize winners will be drawn and rewarded by Suomen Yrittäjät and Fortum. Don’t forget to drop off your completed bingo card at the Fortum stand before the draw!

Partners

The event is organized by Suomen Yrittäjät, with Fortum, Yrittäjäkassa and Business Helsinki as partners.

Registration

The event is free of charge and open to everyone. Seats are limited, so register now to secure your spot. Please note that registration is binding, and a no-show fee of €50 will be charged if you do not cancel at least one week prior to the event.

Venue: Sofia, Sonck’s Hall

Venue: Sofia, Sonck’s Hall

Located in the heart of Helsinki’s Empire-style district, Sofia has a rich history dating back to 1771 and has served many purposes over the centuries—from a sugar refinery to Stockmann’s early department store. Today, it offers versatile event and seminar spaces. The venue is just a short walk from the Central Railway Station and Market Square, with excellent public transport connections nearby.

How to get here

Contact

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us!

Marianne Ruusunhelmi

Specialist, Suomen Yrittäjät

marianne.ruusunhelmi@yrittajat.fi

050 559 9225