Happiness Lounge: How Finland Contributes to a Good Life
What makes a good life, and how can innovation, wellbeing and sustainable choices help create it? Join us at the Happiness Lounge for an afternoon exploring how Finland contributes to healthier lives, everyday wellbeing and future food solutions.
Date and time: Thursday, November 19, 2026, 1:00 PM–5:00 PM (Finnish time), registration and networking lunch from 12:00 PM onwards
Venue: Happiness Lounge, Slush, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre
Admission: Free of charge & no Slush ticket required
Further information
Registration & practicalities
Tessa Skinner
tessa.skinner (at) businessfinland.fi
What makes a good life, and how can innovation, wellbeing and sustainable choices help create it? Join us at the Happiness Lounge for an afternoon exploring how Finland contributes to healthier lives, everyday wellbeing and future food solutions.
Through expert keynotes, discussions, company presentations and product experiences, the program highlights Finnish expertise and business opportunities in health, wellbeing and food innovation.
Session 1: Advancing Women's Health
Health and wellbeing are essential foundations of a good life. This session focuses on women's health and examines both societal impact and international business opportunities.
1:00 PM – Welcome Remarks
- Tarja Enala, Head of Program, Business Finland
1:05 PM – Finland’s Strategy for Women’s Health
- Päivi Sillanaukee, Special Envoy for Health and Wellbeing, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland
1:15 PM – The Economic Case for Investing in Women’s Health in Finland
- Anastasiya Markvarde, Head of Eir Accelerator and Women's Health Strategist
- Mark Gannott, CFO, Suncoast Ventures and Women's Health Economist
1:40 PM – Panel discussion: Finland’s Opportunities in the Women’s Health Sector
Moderated by Aura Pyykönen
- Päivi Sillanaukee, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
- Anastasiya Markvarde, Business Turku, Women’s Health Hub Finland
- Mark Gannott, Suncoast Ventures
- Eeva Salminen, Business Finland
- Tomi Penttilä, Bayer Finland
2:10 PM – Women’s Health Company Pitches: Building Finland’s Leadership in Women’s Health
- Inga health
- Lignum medical
- ATB Antivirals
- Uniogen
Session 2: Sauna, Creativity and Wellbeing
Sauna has long been a part of Finnish life and wellbeing. In this session, we will have a insightful keynote about different health benefits of sauna.
2:35 PM – Keynote Speech
Session 3: Food Innovations for the Future
Food plays a central role in both health and quality of life. This session introduces innovative Finnish companies developing new food products and sustainable food solutions.
Participating companies will present their innovations through short pitches, followed by opportunities to taste products, meet company representatives and learn more about the future of food. Visitors will have the chance to explore a range of new food concepts and experience Finnish food innovation firsthand.
3:25 PM – Company Pitches
- EniferBio
- Happy Plant Protein
- LaJoie
- Origin by Ocean
- Valio
4:10 PM – Exhibitors and Food Tastings & Networking
Join the Conversation
The Business Finland Happiness Lounge brings together policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and innovators to discuss practical solutions that support healthier, happier and more sustainable lives.
The Happiness Lounge will present many different interesting themes throughout 18-19 November. We encourage you to check the other networking possibilities from the Happiness Lounge webpage!
In collaboration with Enterprise Europe Network.
