Business Networking Day 2026
Come and join us for an event where research, business and stakeholders meet!
The Business Networking Day is organised by the University of Jyväskylä. During the day, companies and stakeholders have several opportunities to discuss and network as well as to seek new collaboration. Valid data and a solid scientific foundation are essential for companies in product and service development, whereas for researchers solving practical problems, it can be an excellent opportunity to extend their know-how within their area of expertise. The event is open to a wider student audience, making it a showcase for both companies and the university, both competing to find the brightest minds of the future.
The event includes a traditional exhibition area, keynote talks and themed oral sessions to introduce companies and researchers to the public. When the daytime programme ends, the evening programme starts! The evening is spent among good food, drinks, relaxed discussions and informal programming.
I met many people and made connections.
(Feedback survey Business Networking Day 2025)
Registration of companies and stakeholders
Registration for University Staff and Students
Exhibition setup starts at 7:30 on the event day.
The daytime programme and exhibition are open from 9:00 to 17:00.
Networking dinner from 17:00 to 20:30.
Event was well organized, from entrance to exit.
(Feedback survey Business Networking Day 2025)
9:00 Opening of the event
9:30–10:45 Thematic sessions 1 (Stages 1 and 2)
- Disruptive Technologies (mainly in English)
- Collaboration as the Foundation of Innovation (mainly in Finnish)
10:45–12:45 Lunch
10:50–12:40 Side event: FORTHEM Researcher Grand Prix (Stage 2)
12:45–14:00 Thematic sessions 2 (Stages 1 and 2)
- AI and Data-Driven Decision-Making (mainly in English)
- Resilience and Comprehensive Security Solutions (mainly in English)
14:00–14:30 Coffee break
14:30–15:45 Thematic sessions 3 (Stages 1 and 2)
- Well-being and Demographic Change (mainly in English)
- Climate, Environment, and Green Transition (mainly in Finnish)
Lauri Reuter is a scientist turned investor. He is one of the founders and partners of Nordic Foodtech VC, the first investment fund focused explicitly on deep foodtech in the Nordics.
Lauri holds a PhD in biotechnology and his day-to-day work with scientists, new technology, food industry and startups gives him a deep perspective to the possible futures of food.
Lauri is passionate about building a radically more sustainable and healthy food system for this planet – and the next one.
Lauri Reuter´s keynote is part of the theme Disruptive Technologies.
Tom Lind became CEO of Elomatic in 2023, bringing over 20 years of experience across consulting and the process industry. His career spans roles in development, management, and administration, with a strong focus on enhancing competitiveness, driving large-scale strategic business development, and leading comprehensive business transformations.
Recognized as an engaging and forward-thinking leader, Tom fosters a positive mindset and values strong relationships with all stakeholders. He holds a PhD in Technology from Åbo Akademi University. In addition to his role at Elomatic, Lind serves on the boards of CH-Bioforce Oy, SKOL (the Finnish Association of Consulting Firms), and Elomatic-Pharmalab (EPCE). He is also a member of the Industry and Climate Committee at the Finland Chamber of Commerce and of Varma’s Consultative Committee of Employers.
Tom Lind´s keynote is part of the theme Collaboration as a Foundation for Innovations.
Saana Nilsson is a leading expert in intelligence and security, with nearly 20 years of experience at the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo). During her career, she has held several key positions, including Researcher, Chief Analyst and Chief of Staff. After her long public service career, Nilsson founded her own company with the aim of bringing the best practices and insights of the intelligence field to support organisations more broadly.
As an experienced speaker, Nilsson helps organisations anticipate future developments and discover new, clarifying perspectives.
Her presentations are known for their concrete examples, personal experiences and subtle sense of humour. Nilsson excels in engaging with her audience and is happy to take on even the most challenging questions.
Saana Nilsson´s keynote is part of the theme Comprehensive Security Solutions Providing Resilience.
Ward van Zoonen is an Associate Professor of Management and Leadership at the University of Jyväskylä. He leads the interdisciplinary profiling action Emergent Work in the Digital Era, which brings together research on evolving work, digitalization, and employee wellbeing.
In his research he focuses on how organizations can harness AI and digital technologies while sustaining employee wellbeing, trust, learning, and long-term performance. He is particularly interested in how organizations can benefit from new technologies while managing their consequences for employee wellbeing, trust, collaboration, autonomy, and performance. Working closely with organizations, his research helps identify how technological change can be implemented in ways that are both organizationally effective and sustainable for employees.
Ward van Zoonen's keynote is part of the theme AI and Data-Driven Decision-Making.
Toni Piispanen serves as Deputy General Secretary of the National Sports Council of Finland at the Ministry of Education and Culture. In his role, he works at the core of sports policy, evidence-based decision-making, and societal impact, assessing the effects of sport and physical activity-related policies while helping to shape future development strategies.
A graduate of the University of Jyväskylä in social sciences of sport in the early 2000s, Piispanen will explore the future of physical activity, sport, and exercise in the context of broader societal change. In his presentation, he will discuss how demographic shifts, wellbeing-related challenges, and pressures on public finances are shaping Finnish sports and physical activity culture in the years ahead.
Alongside his public service career, Piispanen is recognized as one of Finland’s most successful para-athletes. A world-class wheelchair racer specializing in sprint events, he has won two Paralympic gold medals and a total of 24 medals in major international championships. His unique combination of elite sporting experience and societal expertise provides a particularly compelling perspective on the future of sport and wellbeing.
Toni Piispanen’s keynote is part of the theme Well-Being and Demographic Change.
Professor Marja-Kristiina Lerkkanen is Dean of the Faculty of Education and Psychology at the University of Jyväskylä. She also serves as Director of the EDUCA Flagship Programme for the Future of Education, funded by the Research Council of Finland. EDUCA seeks research-based solutions to strengthen learning, competence, and the impact of education.
Lerkkanen’s research focuses on learning, motivation, and the wellbeing and interaction that support learning. Her work explores how individuals and communities learn, renew themselves, and develop the capabilities needed to address the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
In her presentation, Lerkkanen examines the renewal of skills and competencies required by societal and environmental change. How does lifelong learning strengthen the resilience of individuals, organisations, and society? What kinds of capabilities are needed to respond to crises and build long-term sustainability?
Marja-Kristiina Lerkkanen’s keynote is part of the theme Climate, Environment, and Green Transition.
Applications for elevator pitches have now closed.
In the thematic sessions, we will hear short presentations (max. 5 minutes) from representatives of companies, partner organizations, and the University’s researchers and staff.
As only a limited number of elevator pitch slots are available in the programme, we unfortunately cannot guarantee a speaking opportunity for all applicants.
Speaker Training
If delivering an elevator pitch is new to you, no worries! We offer all pitchers the opportunity to participate in a training session, including a lecture and a sparring workshop. Be sure to save the training dates in your calendar!
- During the lecture (Teams) on Friday 11 September at 10:00–11:00, you will learn the basic principles of a strong elevator pitch and have the chance to ask any questions you may have.
- In the sparring workshops (two alternative sessions on 21 at 14:30-17:30 or 23 September at 12:00–16:00), you will present your elevator pitch to a panel and receive constructive feedback on your presentation.
- The training sessions also provide a great opportunity to get to know other speakers.
Participation in the training is not mandatory, but we highly recommend it, especially for first-time speakers.
92% of pitch training participants found the training beneficial.
(Feedback survey of Business Networking Day 2025)
The Business Networking Day Dinner offers participants an excellent opportunity to network in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Throughout the evening, good food and drinks are served, and a diverse program of entertainment is presented. The evening’s entertainment will be provided by Aaro Vuotila and his popular Song Machine, bringing memorable experiences, a sense of community, and enjoyable shared moments to the event.
The occasion also provides an ideal opportunity to reflect on the day’s events, review the insights and further develop new ideas and opportunities.
Meaningful conversations and new connections make the evening an inspiring conclusion to the day.
Additional instructions
The Business Networking Day will be held in Jyväskylä, Paviljonki (Lutakonaukio 12). We will be using halls A and B1, which can be entered via the entrance of Lutakonaukio.
For detailed arrival and parking instructions, please visit the Paviljonki website Arrival and parking - Paviljonki.
