Business Unplugged

SAVE THE DATE: BUSINESS UNPLUGGED
12.11.2025 at 17.00

Sofia in Helsinki (Sofiankatu 4 C)

Ready to take your business to the next level? Business Unplugged returns for its 10th edition in the heart of Helsinki, bringing together entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial minds for a day of inspiration, learning, and meaningful connections!

Business Unplugged is an event for all entrepreneurs and entrepreneurially minded people looking to grow their business and their mindset, while being inspired by the entrepreneurial journeys of others.

Seats are limited! Register now to secure your spot and make the most of this unique opportunity to learn, connect, and get inspired. Participation is free of charge and open to everyone, regardless of membership in Suomen Yrittäjät. However, registration is binding, and a no-show fee of 50 euros applies.

We reserve the right to modify the program. The official hashtags for the event are #businessunplugged2025 and #BU2025.

A look back at 10 years of Business Unplugged

Live music and exploration of exhibitor stands

Business advisors from Business Helsinki, employment and business experts from Suomen Yrittäjät, the Shortcut and Startup Refugees will be present througout the event. You will get the chance to have one-on-one talks with advisors to boost your own business journey.

At the end of the event we will celebrate the Migrant Entrepreneur of the Year 2024, who will be awarded a 5,000 euro award by the Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Company.

Join Business Unplugged 2024 to energize yourself and your (future) business! You can sign up here.
The event will be held in English and is organised by Suomen Yrittäjät.

SHORTLY IN FINNISH
Haluatko virkistää liiketoimintaasi? Osallistu vuoden inspiroivimpaan restartup-tapahtumaan Suomen Yrittäjien tiloissa Pasilassa!

Tänä vuonna tapahtuman teemana on omistajanvaihdokset ja yrityskaupat! Tapahtuman innostavan keynote-puheen pitää Kamilla Sultanova. Puheen teemoja ovat monimuotoisuus, tasa-arvo ja osallisuusliiketoiminnassa (DEI = diversity, equity, inclusion). Tapahtuma tarjoaa myös mahdollisuuden osallistua B2B Matchmakingiin, jossa kohtautetaan yrityksiä ja yrittäjiä. Business Unplugged -tapahtumassa saat lisää tietoa erilaisista liiketoimintamahdollisuuksista sekä laajennat verkostoasi.

Business Unplugged on suunnattu kaikille yrittäjille ja yrittäjähenkisille henkilöille, jotka haluavat kehittää liiketoimintaansa ja ajatteluaan samalla, kun he saavat inspiraatiota muiden yrittäjien tarinoista.

Tapahtuman kruunaa palkintoseremonia, jossa palkitaan Vuoden maahan muuttanut yrittäjä 2024.

Tapahtuma on maksuton, mutta vaatii rekisteröitymisen. Ilmoittaudu mukaan täältä viimeistään 7.11. Tapahtuman pääkieli: Englanti

DATE: 14.11.2024

TIME: 17.00-21.00

ADDRESS: Suomen Yrittäjät c/o Fennian pääkonttori, Kyllikinportti 2, 00240 Helsinki.

Registration

On stage

Kamilla Sultanova

DEI specialist

Kamilla Sultanova is an award-winning keynote speaker, DEI expert and multilingual event host and moderator who helps organizations transform diversity, equity and inclusion strategies into strategies that have real impact. Kamilla is known for her energetic and engaging presentations where she captures the attention of diverse audiences and promotes collective learning and inspiration. She makes complex DEI topics easy to understand and helps organizations become inclusive and innovative workplaces.

Granger Simmons

Host

Granger T. Simmons is a dynamic communicator and multifaceted professional with a background in Linguistics and Anthropology from prestigious Brown University. With extensive experience as a motivational speaker, pastor, and public speaker, Granger has inspired diverse audiences. He has worked as an on-air radio DJ for “In the Spirit” on 95.5 WBRU and has a creative portfolio that includes jingle writing, playwriting, songwriting, singing, and voice acting.
As an entrepreneur in the food and beverage industry and the creator/host of the food waste product development reality show “Syötävän Hyvää (Still Edible),” Granger continues to push boundaries in communication and business. He is set to host Suomen Yrittäjät’s *Business Unplugged 2024* in Helsinki, bringing his energy and insight to the stage.

Elvann

Musician

Elvann is a Canadian-born harpist and singer residing in Helsinki. With over 12 years of experience as a freelance artist, she has made her mark through live performances, session work, and private lessons. Her specialty lies in electric harp and vocal covers of metal classics by bands such as Nightwish, Iron Maiden, and Metallica, and video game music from Baldur’s Gate, Zelda, & the Witcher.

Marianne Ruusunhelmi

Panel host / Business transfer specialist

Marianne Ruusunhelmi is a business transfer specialist at the Federation of Finnish Enterprises. She leads a nationwide project aimed at promoting the internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through business transfers. Her work seeks to enhance SMEs’ understanding of business transfers as a tool for international growth while also supporting Finnish companies in networking within the European business market.

Linnea Karlsson-Autio

Panelist / Gigglebug Entertainment

Gigglebug Entertainment is the leading creator and producer of original kids’ content in the Nordics. The studio makes world famous fun stuff for kids and families – endlessly motivated by its mission to create and illustrate next generation joy, Gigglebug develops and produces world-class originals and co-productions. It also provides superlative animation services across TV series, features, games, shorts, GIFs and digital micro content. Since being founded in 2013, Gigglebug has developed a roster of joyful content focused on bringing smiles to audiences and its original IP has been licensed to games, books, music, live events and consumer products.

Gigglebug’s colourful portfolio includes The Unstoppable Yellow Yeti and 101 Dalmatian Street for Disney, Best & Bester for Nickelodeon International, Last Kids on Earth for Atomic Cartoons and the feature Merry Little Batman for Warner Bros. Animation and Amazon The company’s flagship production and 360-degree franchise, Gigglebug, first launched as an app, with over 1 million downloads and #1 chart positions in 64 countries.

My journey at the Company has been inspiring, starting when revenue was around EUR 1 million growing to over EUR 11 million in 2023. We have a unique community with over 20 nationalities represented in our studio in Helsinki. Working with creators and artist differ from my previous experiences and has though me a lot and is something I would not change. Also being part of creating content and spreading joy to the world though work is something unique I’m glad I get to do.

Marjo Seppälä

Panelist / Finnvera Oyj

Marjo is an experienced corporate finance expert. She is particularly interested in new business models, start-ups and ownership changes. Marjo also has experience in export financing. Marjo works for Finnvera as a regional manager.

Martti Kahra

Panelist / Finnish company acquisition ltd

Martti is an acquisition advisor with FCA. He is specialized in international transactions and works with clients and buyers from across Europe and the United States. Currently, Martti is coordinating the expansion of FCA’s international offerings and associated specialized team of advisors.

Pamela Spokes

Chair of the Migrant Entrepreneur Network’s Management Team & CEO – Discover Design Do

Pamela is an experienced service designer and educator, currently working in the RDI (Research, Development, and Innovation) team at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. Originally from Canada, Pamela has an extensive background in international recruitment, marketing, and enhancing the experiences of international students and staff in higher education. Passionate about user-centered design, she specializes in developing purpose-driven experiences, often collaborating with others through co-creation and innovative learning methods. Her commitment to fostering meaningful connections and inclusive practices has made her a key figure in the educational and design communities in Finland.

Petri Salminen

Chairman of the Federation of Finnish Enterprises (Suomen Yrittäjät)

Petri Salminen is the Chairman of the Federation of Finnish Enterprises (Suomen Yrittäjät), the largest organization representing small and medium-sized businesses in Finland. With a strong background in entrepreneurship and leadership, Petri is committed to advocating for the interests of Finnish entrepreneurs, fostering a supportive environment for business growth and innovation. As a seasoned leader, he actively promotes the importance of entrepreneurship in driving Finland’s economic development. Petri will be delivering the award speech at this event, bringing his insights and passion for supporting the entrepreneurial community.