27/5

Minnesota and Finland share more than similar nature and a passion for technologies. Energy, Digitalization, and IoT are in the focus to stimulate the economy and fight climate change.

Come join us on May 27th 2021 at 8 am in Minnesota, 4 pm in Finland, to hear from the experts. Learn how you can get involved and work with individual professionals, businesses, and researchers alike in these areas. The event program includes a panel discussion, startup pitching session, and a great opportunity to network.

Program

8.00AM Welcoming words

His Excellency Mikko Hautala, Ambassador of Finland to the United States, Embassy of Finland in Washington D.C.
Elaine Kumpula, Minnesota's Finnish Honorary Consul
Gabrielle Gerbaud, Executive Director, Minnesota Trade Office

What opportunities does Finland offer to Minnesota and US companies?

Megan Williams, Advisor, Invest in Finland

Panel discussion with Q&A

Changing world mechanisms: How businesses can thrive and solve big global issues simultaneously. Climate change, energy, and digital solutions build roadmaps into the future.

John Pournoor, Director of Global Government Affairs at 3M
Tariq Samad, Chair in Technology Management, University of Minnesota
Heikki Keränen, Head of Technology of Satel
Harri Kaukovalta, Head of Business Development of Silo.ai

Moderated by Rao Konidena, CEO, Rakon Energy

Break

9.40AM Discussion

Overview of 3M Ventures
Ben Wright, Vice President, 3M Ventures

Success stories from Finland and the U.S. in the fields of digitalization, IoT and energy

Juha Kokkonen, CEO of Canatu
Ken Smith, CEO of Ever-Green Energy
Jari Mieskonen, Managing Partner at Conor
Tom Bailey, Senior Director of Xcel Energy

Pitch session and networking

Lead by Megan Williams, Advisor, Invest in Finland

Introduction to Launch Minnesota by Steve Riedel, Regional Trade Manager for Western Europe and Environmental and Energy industries at DEED

Presenting companies from the USA:

Zahra Iliff, Co-Founder, Vessyll
John Griffin, CEO, TerraCOH
Zach Emond, Co-founder, Renew Power Systems
Brian Larson, CEO, Darcy Solutions
Anoop Mathur, CTO, Founder, Terrafore Technologies
Joe Strommen, CEO, 2040 Energy

Presenting companies from Finland:

Mika Kanninen, CEO, Akkurate
Ira Salmela, Head of International Sales, Secapp
Carlos Canto, Vice President, BaseN
Jukka Vakula, CEO, Salo IOT Campus
Janne Kilpeläinen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Haltian

Closing remarks 

Megan Williams, Advisor, Invest in Finland
Steve Riedel, Regional Trade Manager for Western Europe and Environmental and Energy industries at DEED