Business Networking Day 2025
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.
Register for the day via link below. If you want to receive marketing of the event, you can also subscribe to the mailing list via following link.
Registration and participation to the event
Discounted early bird prices are available until August 17.
Registration will continue at regular prices until September 17.
However, elevator pitch proposals must be submitted by August 10.
See the participation instructions below for more details.
Registration of companies and stakeholders
Registration of university staff and students
The Business Networking Day will be held in Jyväskylä, Congress Centre Paviljonki (Lutakonaukio 12). We will be using halls A and C1, which can be entered from the entrance of Lutakonaukio.
For detailed arrival and parking instructions, please visit the Paviljonki website Arrival and parking - Paviljonki.
8.00-9.00 Building the exhibition
9.00-9.15 Opening of the event
9.20-10.35 Theme session 1: Building Crisis-Resilient Society (stage 1) & Imaging and Measurement Technologies (stage 2)
10.40-12.45 Lunch (during lunch on stage 1 FORTHEM Grand Prix)
12.45-14.00 Theme session 2: Well-being for Tomorrow (stage 1) & Data, digitalisation and AI (stage 2)
14.00-14.30 Coffee break
14.30-15.25 Theme session 3: Games and Gamification (stage 1) & Clean Energy and Green Technologies (stage 2)
15.30-16.00 Theme session: Partnerships as a Driver of Success and closing of the event (stage 1)
17-20.30 Dinner
Antero Holmila
Antero Holmila is Professor of History in the Department of History and Ethnology at the University of Jyväskylä. He specialises in the post-World War II period, the Cold War with its diverse phenomena and crises in history. His recent works popularising science include The Finnish Cold War (2023) and Why Russia Acts the Way It Does (2023), co-authored with Martti J. Kari and published in Estonian in winter 2025.
Antero is also the director of the Global Europe Master's programme, which will start in autumn 2025.
Antero gives the keynote on the theme of Building a crisis-resilient society.
Tuomas Koivumäki
Tuomas Koivumäki is a versatile expert in medical technology and an enthusiastic medical physicist trainer. He serves as the chief medical physicist for Hospital Nova of the Wellbeing Services County of Central Finland and as an adjunct professor of medical physics at the University of Jyväskylä. In addition to his clinical hospital work, he has conducted research in nuclear medicine and radiotherapy. Tuomas's work emphasizes acting as a bridge between technology and patient examinations and treatments. He is also active in collaborating with hospitals, universities, and companies.
Tuomas gives the keynote on the theme of Imaging and measurement technologies.
Maria Ritola
Maria Ritola is a Finnish technology entrepreneur and researcher who focuses on the future of knowledge work in the age of artificial intelligence. As one of the founders of the AI company Iris.ai, Maria has spent years developing ways to harness AI to expand human intelligence and accelerate innovation. Her work emphasizes the integration of human and machine intelligence, particularly in teamwork.
Maria is a sought-after speaker on topics related to AI as a support for individual and team work, the future of knowledge work, building successful teams, and ethical issues in AI. Her insights highlight the human dimension behind success stories. As a long-time AI entrepreneur, Maria is skilled at bridging the gap between often abstract technical questions of AI and practical applications, making her talks accessible to a wide audience.
Maria has served on the boards of several organizations and regularly participates in public discussions on technology trends, including as a regular guest on Yle's Aamu Jälkidigi program.
Maria gives the keynote on the theme of Data, digitalisation and AI.
Janne Kotiaho
Janne Kotiaho is a professor of ecology and the director of the transdisciplinary Resource Wisdom Community JYU.Wisdom at the University of Jyväskylä. He leads a research group of about 15 people focused on calculating ecological footprints. Kotiaho is serving his second term as the chairman of the Finnish Nature Panel and also acts as a scientific advisor to the Finnish government in international biodiversity agreement negotiations. Kotiaho is a long-time member of the board of the Kone Foundation.
Janne gives the keynote on the theme of Well-being for tomorrow.
Wanda O Rly
Wanda O Rly (Valtteri Lahti) is a professional in creative science communication and the game industry, as well as a performing artist. They are a co-founder and the Chief Operating Officer of Psyon Games, a health games company based in Jyväskylä. Psyon Games is a leading and multi-award-winning company in its field, developing game-based solutions for global health challenges in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies and public health organizations such as the WHO, Gavi, The Gates Foundation, and Girl Effect.
In addition, Wanda contributes to the development of the Central Finnish game industry as the Chairperson of the Board of Expa Game Business Cooperative. Expa is an official partner of Epic Games and is Finland’s only, and the world’s northernmost, Unreal Authorized Training Center (UATC). The center offers high-demand training in the use of the Unreal Engine for game development, 3D modeling, simulations, architecture, marketing, virtual productions, live broadcasting, and many other applications.
Wanda gives the keynote on the theme of Games and gamification.
Anni Mikkonen
Anni Mikkonen is the CEO of the Renewables Finland (former Finnish Wind Power Association) since 2009. During her time the association and the importance of wind power in the Finnish energy sector have increased significantly.
Anni is one of the leading wind power experts in Finland. She holds a master’s degree in Environmental Sciences (MSc) and Corporate Environmental Management (M. Econ) from University of Jyväskylä.
Anni gives the keynote on the theme of Clean energy and green technologies.
Themes of the day and elevator pitchers
In the sessions, we will hear how research, product development, and innovations can bring new insights and solve the major challenges of our society. Under the themes, we have gathered examples of topics that can be addressed. Feel free to boldly propose your own topic to be included in the theme!
The global political landscape has recently undergone sudden changes, and the playing field can shift rapidly. Just a few years ago, the coronavirus brought the whole world to its knees and transformed social practices, both in working life and everyday life in a very short time. How should we prepare for crises and ensure the resilience of society in the face of various destabilising changes?
Chair person for the session is Vice Dean Tapio Litmanen. This session will be mainly in Finnish.
After Antero Holmila's keynote speech we will hear short elevator pitches:
- Ville Matikainen (Nammo Vihtavuori Oy), Tutkimus pohjoismaisen huoltovarmuuden tukena
- Pekka Koskinen (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Turvallisuusteknologian DI-koulutus
- Päivi Pirkkalainen (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Siirtolaisuuden tutkimus ja sosiaalinen kestävyys
- Arto Hautala (Jyväskylän yliopisto) Machine learning models for predicting health-care costs: case exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation
- Ilkhom Khalimzoda (Jyväskylän yliopisto)Internationals as Cultural Bridges: From Adaptation to Innovation in Finnish Workplaces
- Anniina Runtuvuori-Salmela (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Yhteistyö on vaikuttavuuden ydin
- Sanna Laakso (Jyväskylän kaupunki) Kokonaisturvallisuudesta kasvua Keski-Suomeen
People and phenomena are constantly measured and monitored. A broken leg is not plastered or operated on without an X-ray. In the same vein, no decisions are made in product development without precise research, measurement and data. This theme session covers a wide range of methods that are used to measure and image various phenomena. In addition to measuring, automatic image analysis methods, such as those based on artificial intelligence, provide help in interpreting large numbers of images.
Chair person for the session is Specialist Tuula Palmén. This session is mainly in English.
After Tuomas Koivumäki's keynote speech we will hear elevator pitches:
- Taija Juutinen (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Novel ultrasound imaging techniques for tendon health
- Maria Sukanen (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Ultrasound Tissue Characterization (UTC) for assessing equine tendon integrity in racing trotters
- Francesco Cenni (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Mapping skeletal muscle properties in children and young adults with cerebral palsy
- Paavo Penttilä (Jyväskylän yliopisto) Multiscale characterization of materials using X-rays
- Jussi Auvinen (CSC - Tieteen tietotekniikan keskus), Supertietokone LUMI yritysten kehittymisen tukena
- Kimmo Kinnunen (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Imaging and measurement possibilities in the Nanoscience Center
- Aku Ursin (Itä-Suomen yliopisto), FAME – Flagship of Advanced Mathematics for Sensing, Imaging and Modelling
- Lauri Ylinen (Jyväskylän yliopisto), How Math Helps Us See the Unseen
- Harri Piitulainen (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Automated network stimulation revolutionizes the brain research and treatment?
- Marianne Taipale (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Musiikin kuuntelu stressin lievittämisessä: monimenetelmäinen koeasetelma nuorille aikuisille
- Emmi Matikainen-Tervola (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Ikääntyvien kävelyn muuttujien mittaaminen – laboratoriosta kohti todellista elinympäristöä
Well-being for tomorrow requires a multi-perspective approach, diverse solutions and proactive measures. How can we prevent mental health problems and support the functional capacity of the elderly so that the need for services does not grow uncontrollably?
In this session, we discuss how diseases caused by inactivity, loneliness, or bacteria and viruses can be combatted. How do we avert international health crises and foster life on our planet for generations to come?
Chair person for the session is Professor Vesa Linnamo. This session is mainly in Finnish.
After Janne Kotiaho's keynote speech we will hear elevator pitches:
- Taiga Rautiainen (Könkkölä) Lisää luontohyvinvointia ja kestävyysosaamista sote-sektorille
- Laura Karavirta (Jyväskylän yliopisto) Kuntotesti jokaisen taskuun
- Anssi Lipsonen (HUR),Maailman suurin HUR esteetön kuntosali avattiin Kanadaan
- Anna Tirkkonen (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Gerastenian tunnistaminen sähköisistä potilastiedoista
- Rehna Sotto (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Shall shift workers go dark?
- Kirsi Leskinen (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Työturvallisuutta ei ole ilman monipuolista viestintää
- Joona Taipale (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Toisten toiseudesta
- Pinja Päivänen (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Työn merkityksellisyys, uudelleenajateltuna
- Johanna Rantanen (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Mielekkäästä työstä mielen hyvinvointia mutta miten?
With digitalisation, data is created and collected everywhere: from people, our devices as well as industrial processes. Data and various artificial intelligence methods can be utilised in many ways in business, in the decision-making of organisations, or in promoting the well-being of individuals.
In this session, we discuss the ways quantum computing could further enhance data analysis and usability in the future, and how digitalisation and artificial intelligence can support the sustainability transition. How do we solve challenges related to the biases of large masses of data or the growing dependence of societies and people on digital infrastructures?
Chair person of this session is Head of Faculty Adiministration Joni Kultanen. The main language is English.
After Maria Ritola's keynote speech we will hear elevator pitches:
- Jouni Flyktman (IQM Quantum Computers) IQM Quantum Computers – Finland’s pioneer in quantum computing
- Juha Harju (Woolman Oy), From data chaos to Intelligent Commerce – AI as a bridge between data and actions
- Jarkko Hautala (Niilo Mäki Instituutti) CECO -project supports education export
- Samuli Pekkola (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Digitalisaatio on muutakin kuin tekniikkaa
- Jussi Jokinen (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Multiobjective optimization of interaction design
- Tiia Suomivuori (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Meaningful Digital Evolution (MDE) - Cultivating Purpose and Productivity in the AI Age
- Geoff Luck (Jyväskylän yliopisto), AUDISSION: Predictive modelling for the advertising industry
- Ville Heilala (Jyväskylän yliopisto) Miten tekoäly voisi vahvistaa parhaita puoliamme?
- Lauri Haapanen (Jyväskylän yliopisto) Tekoäly journalismissa: innovoiden, ei vain tutkien
- Hanna Heinonen (Jyväskylän yliopisto),Driving Digital Change with a Human Touch
- Riikka Simpura (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Koodirunous ihmisen ja koneen välissä
- Viivi Korpela (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Rethinking digital inclusion with older adults
Games and gaming are a significant international industry and an ever-growing market. Gamification is increasingly being used in different sectors of society, and e-sports professionals are the new superstars of our time. Games and gaming also shape our worldview and culture. How can games and gamification be utilised in business, education or research? What opportunities do games provide for promoting well-being or disseminating information?
Chair person for this session is Associate Professor Pekka Mertala. The main language is English.
After Wanda O Rly's keynote speech we will hear elevator pitches:
- Tuomas Roininen (Jyväskylä Game Industry Hub EXPA), Expa Game Business Co-operative Unreal Authorized Training Center 11/2024 by Epic Games -What Then?
- Raine Koskimaa (JYU), Peliala kohtaa kyberturvallisuuden
- Anna Lukkari (JYU), iWall-liikuntapelien fyysinen kuormittavuus
- Jukka Varsaluoma (JYU)
Global warming is accelerating, and the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees seems increasingly unattainable. In order to turn the trend in the right direction, global greenhouse gas emissions must be brought under control quickly. How can we make this happen? What does a change of direction require from us socially and technically?
Chair person for this session is University Lecturer Mikko Vesisenaho. The main language is Finnish.
After Anni Mikkonen's keynote speech we will hear elevator pitches:
- Timo Rouvinen (Metsä Group), Hiilijalanjäljen pienentäminen rakennusteollisuudessa
- Sirpa Tenhunen (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Arvoista toimintaan -työpajat Suomen metsien kestävyyssiirtymän vauhdittajana
- Toni Hemminki (Alva-yhtiöt Oy), Vihreän siirtymän kääntöpuoli
- Mashiur Rahman (Jyväskylän yliopisto) EU Decarbonisation in Times of Crises: Exploring Social Innovations and Enhancing an Equitable Twin Transitions (DeCrises)
- Terhi Kuikka (Jyväskylän yliopisto), Vety osana vihreää siirtymää
Speeches focusing on collaboration and networking have been moved to a new mini session titled "Partners as a Key to Success"
This session does not begin with a keynote speech; instead, it concludes with the closing address of the entire event, delivered by Vice-Rector Pasi Raiskinmäki.
To celebrate the day, we will also raise a toast to the event!
Chair person of this session is Vice Rector Pasi Raiskinmäki. The main language is Finnish.
We will hear elevator pitches:
- Mika Fisk (Jyväskylän Yritystehdas Oy), There is Strength in Numbers - The Startup Factory’s Services for Staff and Students
- Mari-Pauliina Tervo (kirjailija, Sirimaan salaisuus), Sirimaan salaisuus matkalla maailmalle
- Maria Kuoksa (AuHippu), AuHippu neurokirjon nuorten tukena
- Katja Kröger (Kielo Jyväskylä), Kielo - Tilat lähellä tutkimusta, osaamista ja yhteistyömahdollisuuksia
- Pirkko-Liisa Vesterinen (Keski-Suomen Yrityskummit ry),Yrityskummit onnistumisen tukena
- Viivi Sakkara (Keski-Suomen kauppakamari),Keski-Suomi – Parhaat palat löytyvät keskeltä
After the daytime program, we’ll take a short break and continue the evening with a dinner event starting at 17:00 in Paviljonki’s A-Hall.
Evening Program:
17:00–18:30 Welcome and dinner
18:30–19:00 Live music by Bilebändi Buumi
19:00 Dessert is served
19:45–20:15 Second set by Bilebändi Buumi
20:30 Last call
21:00 Event ends – safe journey home!
Evening Host: Anna Roikonen
The evening program will be smoothly guided by Anna Roikonen.
Anna works at the University of Jyväskylä as a Project Manager for JYU.Edu and Coordinator of the EDUCA Flagship. She holds a Master’s degree in Education, and her passions lie especially in teaching and early childhood education.
Performer: Party Band Buumi
During the dinner, Party Band Buumi will lift the mood and get everyone moving!
Buumi is a four-member cover band that plays a wide range of popular music — from energetic party hits to more traditional dance tunes.
Line-up:
- Elina Häyhä – Vocals / Keyboard
- Atte Leppikangas – Guitar / Vocals
- Juuso Ratilainen – Bass / Synth Bass
- Jere Jolkkonen – Drums
