Arctic15: dates, who attends, and how founders get in
“ARCTIC15 is the most effective startup-investor conference in Northern Europe. The goal of the event is to look beneath the surface of a business event. ARCTIC15 enables quality networking, fostering of meaningful relationships and real returns on investment.”
- Next edition
- Jun 16–17, 2027 · ARCTIC15 Helsinki 2027 — The Growth Edition source
- Where
- Kaapelitehdas (Cable Factory), Helsinki, Finland source
- Format
- in-person · 2 days
- Tickets
- 2027: €25–€1,099 (published ticket prices before VAT; the corresponding displayed VAT-inclusive amounts are €28.38–€1,247.37), from the Expo Pass to Investor Select. Completed 2026 edition: the official ticket page listed €29–€1,699 from Expo Pass to Investor Select (2026). source
- Startup pass
- 2027: €49 (SiRA™ Verified; including 13.5% VAT – €55.62) or €99 (no SiRA assessment required; including 13.5% VAT – €112.37). Completed 2026 edition: the published schedule listed SiRA-verified Startup Tickets at €79 from 2026-05-04 to 2026-06-03 and €149 from 2026-06-04 to 2026-06-11; standard Startup Tickets were €149 and then €249 over those periods. source
- Cadence
- Annual, Helsinki in spring/June. The 2026 edition was held June 11–12; the next edition is announced for June 16–17, 2027. No cancellation, postponement, city move, or event-name change is reported in the official pages consulted.
GeneralistAIHealth & biotechFintechClimateDeeptechDefenseB2B SaaSRoboticsSpaceSeedGrowthFoundersInvestorsCorporatesResearchersPressPolicy & governmentPartners
Next edition
| Dates | Jun 16–17, 2027 source |
|---|---|
| Edition | ARCTIC15 Helsinki 2027 — The Growth Edition |
| Venue | Kaapelitehdas (Cable Factory), Helsinki, Finland source |
| Theme | The Growth Edition (2027) |
| Tickets | arctic15.com source |
Deadlines that matter to founders
- May 31, 2027 — 100 Innovations – Shaping the Future Awards (2027 second edition); Deal Tank is a separate fundraising pitch format. application · apply
Ticket tiers as published
| Tier | Price | Includes | Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup Ticket — SiRA™ Verified source | €49 (including 13.5% VAT – €55.62) | Two-day event-program access, workshops, exhibition areas, Startup Village, 100 Innovations Zone, Experience Zones, speed networking, bookable 1:1 tables, matchmaking tool, DealTank, afterparty, coffee and snacks; no lunch or Investor Select benefits. | 2027 |
| Startup Ticket — standard source | €99 (including 13.5% VAT – €112.37) | Two-day event-program access, workshops, exhibition areas, Startup Village, 100 Innovations Zone, Experience Zones, speed networking, bookable 1:1 tables, matchmaking tool, DealTank, afterparty, coffee and snacks; SiRA assessment is not required. | 2027 |
| Startup Booth — SiRA™ Verified source | €499 (including 25.5% VAT – €626.25) | One-day 2×2 m startup booth, electricity, Wi-Fi, carpet, cocktail table and two startup tickets; the SiRA-verified option requires completing the assessment after purchase. | 2027 |
| Startup Booth — standard source | €599 (including 25.5% VAT – €751.75) | One-day 2×2 m startup booth, electricity, Wi-Fi, carpet, cocktail table and two startup tickets; no SiRA assessment required. | 2027 |
| Investor Ticket — SiRA™ Verified source | €149 (including 13.5% VAT – €169.12) | Two-day event-program access, workshops, exhibition areas, Startup Village, 100 Innovations Zone, Experience Zones, speed networking, bookable 1:1 tables, matchmaking tool, DealTank, afterparty, coffee and snacks; SiRA assessment required after purchase for the lower price. | 2027 |
| Investor Ticket — standard source | €199 (including 13.5% VAT – €225.87) | Two-day event-program access, workshops, exhibition areas, Startup Village, 100 Innovations Zone, Experience Zones, speed networking, bookable 1:1 tables, matchmaking tool, DealTank, afterparty, coffee and snacks; no SiRA assessment required. | 2027 |
| Investor Select Ticket — SiRA™ Verified source | €999 (including 13.5% VAT – €1,133.87) | Two-day access, matchmaking and event areas, plus invite-only investor gatherings, VIP rooftop cocktail and dinner, Speaker & Investor Select Lounge, fast-track registration and lunch; SiRA assessment required after purchase for the lower price. | 2027 |
| Investor Select Ticket — standard source | €1,099 (including 13.5% VAT – €1,247.37) | Two-day access, matchmaking and event areas, plus invite-only investor gatherings, VIP rooftop cocktail and dinner, Speaker & Investor Select Lounge, fast-track registration and lunch; no SiRA assessment required. | 2027 |
| Attendee Ticket source | €449 (including 13.5% VAT – €509.62) | Two-day event-program access, workshops, exhibition areas, Startup Village, 100 Innovations Zone, Experience Zones, speed networking, bookable 1:1 tables, matchmaking tool, afterparty, coffee and snacks; DealTank and Investor Select benefits are excluded. | 2027 |
| Expo Pass source | €25 (including 13.5% VAT – €28.38) | One-day Expo Pass for 2027-06-17, with exhibition areas, Startup Village, 100 Innovations Zone and Experience Zone; no matchmaking tool, bookable meetings or DealTank. | 2027 |
How founders get in
ARCTIC15 is organized around prepared, relevant investor-founder meetings rather than open-ended networking. The completed 2026 Helsinki edition reported 3,255 participants and more than 15,000 meeting interactions. The next edition is scheduled in Helsinki as the 2027 Growth Edition, with VC reverse pitches, corporate piloting challenges, themed speed networking and a proof-based innovation showcase. The organizer’s event notices show no cancellation, postponement or city change.
- For the 2027 edition, choose a Startup Ticket or Startup Booth package. The startup must have a valid Business ID; ArcticStartup says it will verify eligibility and excludes agencies and consultancies. Its FAQ’s five-year incorporation rule is stated in the 2026 eligibility information, not as a separate 2027 rule.
- Purchase the 2027 startup ticket through the event site. The published options are a SiRA™-verified ticket or a standard ticket; the verified price requires completing the SiRA assessment after purchase.
- If applying to the 2027 Top 100 Innovations Awards or Deal Tank, use the SiRA link sent with the ticket confirmation and submit the requested company and progress evidence. The Top 100 application deadline is 2027-05-31; the organizer says the Deal Tank is for pre-seed/seed startups seeking soft commitments.
- Before the event, complete your matchmaking profile, browse relevant investors, request meetings, and confirm them. The organizer says the matchmaking platform opens about two weeks before the event.
- At the event, use the pre-booked Deal Room meetings and themed speed networking. Shortlisted Top 100 finalists pitch on the main stage; the 2027 announcement also describes VC reverse pitches and corporate piloting challenges.
| Startup programme | Buy a Startup Ticket or Startup Booth package from the official event page; startup eligibility is verified. A SiRA™ assessment is required after purchase to retain the lower SiRA-verified price. The Top 100/Deal Tank application is a separate SiRA submission. source |
|---|---|
| Startup price | 2027: €49 (SiRA™ Verified; including 13.5% VAT – €55.62) or €99 (no SiRA assessment required; including 13.5% VAT – €112.37). Completed 2026 edition: the published schedule listed SiRA-verified Startup Tickets at €79 from 2026-05-04 to 2026-06-03 and €149 from 2026-06-04 to 2026-06-11; standard Startup Tickets were €149 and then €249 over those periods. source |
| Includes | 2027 Startup Ticket includes two-day event-program access, workshops, exhibition areas, Startup Village, 100 Innovations Zone, Experience Zones, speed networking, bookable 1:1 meeting tables, the matchmaking tool, DealTank, afterparty, and coffee and snacks. Lunch, VIP events and the Investor Select lounge are not included. |
| Eligibility | For 2027, the ticket page requires a valid startup Business ID and says eligibility will be verified; agencies and consultancies are excluded. The official FAQ’s 2026 startup-ticket criteria additionally specified a legally registered company incorporated within the last five years and excluded accelerators, incubators and service providers. |
| Sponsoring | The organizer invites partners to develop a tailored package and lists options such as branded cafés or lounges, panels/keynotes, networking sessions and private side events. No named sponsorship tiers or prices are published on the partner page. |
| Investor pass | Purchase the applicable Investor or Investor Select ticket from the official event page. The organizer’s published ticket information describes ticket purchase and matchmaking access; no separate investor application deadline is printed. source |
| Investor eligibility | The official FAQ describes Investor Tickets for angels, VCs, CVCs and family offices and says active-investor status is subject to verification. The 2027 listing also offers an Investor Select tier. |
| Application required | No, tickets are purchased |
100 Innovations – Shaping the Future Awards (2027 second edition); Deal Tank is a separate fundraising pitch format.
| Format | The 2027 Top 100 Innovations Awards are explicitly described as an evidence-based showcase rather than a traditional pitch competition. Startups submit evidence through SiRA; a Top 100 cohort is selected, then Top 15 finalists pitch for three minutes followed by two minutes of Q&A. Jury and audience votes help determine the Top 3. Deal Tank is a separate fundraising session; startups may apply to both using one SiRA form. |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | The 2027 awards invite early- and growth-stage startups with functional prototypes or market traction, and research-driven ventures with validated proof points; the program is open globally and does not require revenue. Evaluation considers innovation, feasibility/readiness, market readiness, traction/validation, defensibility and impact. Deal Tank is described as for pre-seed/seed ventures seeking soft commitments from active angels and VCs. |
| Application deadline | May 31, 2027 source |
Winners
- LifeGlue Technologies (2026) — 1st Place; individual award amount not published. One of the Top 3 awards sharing the €15,000 prize pool (2026). source
- Taiga AI (2026) — 2nd Place; individual award amount not published. One of the Top 3 awards sharing the €15,000 prize pool (2026). source
- Multivision DX (2026) — 3rd Place; individual award amount not published. One of the Top 3 awards sharing the €15,000 prize pool (2026). source
- Medlyse Oy (2026) — Rising Star award; no individual prize amount published (2026). source
Judges
- Elizabeth Jennings, Managing Partner at Venture Atlas Lab source
- Pia Sulin, Senior Business Advisor, Angel Investor source
- Otto Olavinen, Founder; Impact coordinator at Health Design Conference; Biodesign Finland source
- Taneli Tikka, Board Member at SpaceTime source
- Marcin P. Kowalik, GP at Balnord source
Meeting investors there
Founders buy an eligible event ticket, complete a matchmaking profile, browse and request relevant meetings, confirm them in advance, and meet in the Deal Room. The platform’s matching uses profile information; the organizer advises founders to complete profiles and start requesting meetings early. 2026 matching was provided through SiRA Connect. source
| Investors attending | 450+ investors, including 66 LPs (2026) source |
|---|---|
| Matchmaking | SiRA Connect (the organizer also calls it the matchmaking platform or Matchmaking Tool). source |
| Formats | 2027 Deal Room: curated, pre-booked 1:1 meetings between startups and investors. · 2027 themed speed networking, described as five-minute sessions. · 2027 What We Fund: VC reverse pitches on investment thesis, check sizes and portfolio gaps. · 2027 Corporate Innovation Arena: corporate challenges and piloting opportunities presented to founders. · 2026 Deal Tank and 100 Innovations stage presentations; the organizer reported more than 15,000 meeting interactions across the completed 2026 edition. |
| Meetings arranged | 15,000+ participant-side meeting interactions through SiRA Connect (2026) source |
Investor firms the organiser lists
Leo CapitalNATO Investment FundKarma VCSuperhero CapitalForum VenturesBootstrap EuropeNordea BankClick VenturesSpeedInvestRedstone VCVendep Capital2c VenturesBedrockBSV VenturesPlug and Play
The full investor list is available to registered attendees; see the official investor page.
Before you go: the hub's cold email to VCs playbook covers the pre-event outreach that fills a meeting calendar, and Causo matches your stage and thesis to the funds in its database so you know who to ask for a meeting.
Who speaks
- Sakari Puisto, Minister of Economic Affairs · Finnish Government
- Daniel Sazonov, Mayor · City of Helsinki
- Ahti Heinla, Co-founder & CEO · Starship
- Peter Vesterbacka, Founder · FinEst Bay Area
- Juhani Mykkänen, Co-founder · Wolt
- Hannu Kauppinen, CEO & Co-Founder · QMill
- Mikko Möttönen, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist · QMill
- Tero Ojanperä, Co-founder · Silo AI
- Kadir Gungor, Chairman · Sustainable Impact Capital & Holding
- Timothy D. Otten, GPL, Europe · Defense Innovation Unit, U.S. Department of War
- Jaan Praks, Associate Professor of Electronics and Nanoengineering · Aalto University
- Perttu Yli-Opas, CTO · Aurora Propulsion Technologies
- Kadri Tammai, Regional Director · NATO DIANA
- Jarkko Antila, CEO · Kuva Space
- Theo Wethered, Principal · Nauta Capital
- Eugene Kruglov, COO & Co-Founder · AppFollow
- Maria Wasastjerna, Managing Partner & Co-founder · Kvanted VC
- Claes Radojewski, Partners & Ecosystem Nordics · NVIDIA
- Riikka Rajaviita, Founder & Angel Investor · Human Runway
- Marcin Kowalik, General Partner · Balnord VC
- Niko Karstikko, CEO & Co-Founder · BoBW
- Michaela Berglund, CEO, GP and Founder · Feminvest Ventures
- Reidar Wasenius, AI Researcher, Personal Brainer, Voice
- Erki Mölder, Managing Partner · Verge Fund
- Kirsi Vine-Haaparinne, GP · Gorilla Capital
Full lineup: official speakers page.
Notable past speakers
- Sakari Puisto, Minister of Economic Affairs · Finnish Government (2026)
- Daniel Sazonov, Mayor · City of Helsinki (2026)
- Ahti Heinla, Co-founder & CEO · Starship (2026)
- Peter Vesterbacka, Founder · FinEst Bay Area (2026)
- Juhani Mykkänen, Co-founder · Wolt (2026)
- Hannu Kauppinen, CEO & Co-Founder · QMill (2026)
- Mikko Möttönen, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist · QMill (2026)
- Tero Ojanperä, Co-founder · Silo AI (2026)
- Kadir Gungor, Chairman · Sustainable Impact Capital & Holding (2026)
- Timothy D. Otten, GPL, Europe · Defense Innovation Unit, U.S. Department of War (2026)
Sponsors and partners
15th Anniversary Main Partner (2026) 1
15th Anniversary Partner (2026) 30
University of HelsinkiTampere UniversityBusiness FinlandHolviTurkish AirlinesHelsinki PartnersFinnish Business Angels Network (FiBAN)DefineLuke FinlandButterfly VenturesBalnord VenturesDLA Piper FinlandSpaceTimeClarifiFICCCAmazon Web ServicesKvanttinovaCity of RiihimäkiLithuanian Business Angels Network (LitBAN)Estonian Business Angels Network (EstBAN)Tampere University of Applied SciencesDash CoffeesProakatemiaHubsKallioLawLovableHanken Business LabFinnish Venture Capital Association (FVCA)SiRA PlatformMETIC
Community Partner (edition not specified by organizer) 20
Think CompanyBoost TurkuAalto Entrepreneurship SocietyS Tron ChinaTerkko Health ClubLahti Entrepreneurship SocietyXES HelsinkiHanken Entrepreneurship SocietyTampere Entrepreneurship SocietyPBC FinlandStart HelsinkiTribe TampereWebrazziToimistosissitITKey MediaTechBBQStartup ValenciaTechChillVDSPatteries
Government partners: City of Vantaa (published as Future Tech City, 15th Anniversary Main Partner), Business Finland, Helsinki Partners, Luke Finland, City of Riihimäki
Full list: official partners page.
Startups there
100 startups selected for the Top 100 Innovations showcase (2026); the overall number of startup exhibitors was not separately published. · official startup directory
Programme
| Tracks | 2027 — Deep Tech Summit by NORDEEP, highlighting university spinouts, lab innovation and Research to Business commercialization. · 2027 — What We Fund: VC reverse pitches on active investment theses, check sizes and portfolio gaps. · 2027 — Corporate Innovation Arena and piloting: corporate challenges, R&D roadmaps and procurement needs. · 2027 — Top 100 Innovations Awards and live finals. · 2027 — LP Summit, Life Science Summit and Defence Tech Summit. · 2027 — SiRA matchmaking, Deal Room and themed five-minute speed networking. · 2027 — Live Opportunity Wall, Experience Zone and Startup Village. · 2026 — Health Tech Summit. · 2026 — Defence Tech Summit and Deal Tank. · 2026 — Top 100 Innovations showcase and awards. · 2026 — LP & GP Summit and Human Runway founder-challenges program. · 2026 — Sustainability/circular economy, fintech, physical AI, space and lab-to-market sessions. source |
|---|---|
| Side events | The 2027 announcement lists a Day 0 Chairman Reception, Investor Breakfasts, invite-only rooftop events, other side events and an LP Reception. The completed 2026 program also listed a 15th Year Anniversary afterparty; the 2026 official side-events page invited selected partners and ecosystem players to host gatherings. |
| Awards | The completed 2026 edition launched the 100 Innovations – Shaping the Future Awards. The organizer described it as an evidence-based showcase, not a conventional pitch competition; the Top 3 shared a €15,000 prize pool including cash and services. Published 2026 results: LifeGlue Technologies (1st), Taiga AI (2nd), Multivision DX (3rd), and Medlyse Oy (Rising Star). The awards return for a second edition in 2027; a 2027 prize amount has not been published. |
| Call for speakers | The organizer provides a “Suggest a speaker” form. No call-for-speakers deadline or opening period is stated. source |
| Hashtag | #ARCTIC15 |
Past editions, as published
| Edition | Dates | Attendees | Investors | Startups | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 source | Jun 11–12, 2026 | 3,255 participants (2026) | 450+ investors, including 66 LPs (2026) | 1,150+ startups mapped (2026) | recap · report |
| 2025 source | Jun 4–5, 2025 | — | — | — | |
| 2024 source | Jun 6–7, 2024 | — | — | — | recap |
| 2023 source | Jun 1–2, 2023 | — | — | — | recap · report |
| 2022 source | Jun 7–8, 2022 | — | — | — | |
| 2021 source | Jun 1–2, 2021 | — | — | — | |
| 2020 source | Oct 19–21, 2020 | 1,500+ attendees (2020) | — | — | report |
| 2019 source | Jun 5–6, 2019 | — | — | — |
Who attends
| Breakdown | 1,150+ founders; 450+ investors (including 66 LPs); 750+ representatives from corporates, research organizations and public institutions; 700+ ecosystem operators, media, service providers, mentors and community members (2026) source |
|---|---|
| Geography | Participants from 60+ countries (2026) source |
| Roles | Founders, Investors, Corporates, Researchers, Press, Policy & government, Partners |
| Stages | Seed, Growth |
Official links and socials
Travel & apps
In the press
- ARCTIC15 reports record matchmaking activity across startup and investment community — ArcticStartup (2026)
- The Nordic startup landscape is changing. ARCTIC15 data offers a snapshot of where it’s going — ArcticStartup (2026)
- Arctic15 turns 15, anniversary edition opens with exclusive early-bird pricing — ArcticStartup (2026)
- Build, Pitch, Scale: It All Happens at Arctic15 Helsinki 2025 — ArcticStartup (2025)
- Arctic15 victory propels nooon into new horizons: from pitching stage to €400K funding success — ArcticStartup (2024)
Prepare for it
- How to cold email VCs — book the meetings before you land.
- The 12-slide seed deck — what to have ready when a partner says "send me the deck".
- Pitch Deck Roaster — a slide-by-slide pass before you submit to 100 Innovations – Shaping the Future Awards (2027 second edition); Deal Tank is a separate fundraising pitch format..
- Accelerator deadlines — the application windows that open around the event.
Sources
Every fact above was read from one of these official pages on Oct 7, 2026:
- arctic15.com
- arctic15.com/agenda-2023
- arctic15.com/arctic15-helsinki-2021/program-helsinki-2021
- arctic15.com/arctic15-helsinki-2022
- arctic15.com/arctic15-helsinki-2024
- arctic15.com/arctic15-online-2020
- arctic15.com/arctic15-startup-conference-2025
- arctic15.com/arctic15-startup-conference-2026-2
- arctic15.com/arctic15-startup-conference-2026-2/100-innovations-shaping-the-future-2026
- arctic15.com/arctic15-startup-conference-2026-2/program
- arctic15.com/arctic15-startup-conference-2026-2/who-is-here-2026
- arctic15.com/arctic15-startup-conference-2027
- arctic15.com/arctic15-startup-conference-2027/100-innovations-shaping-the-future
- arctic15.com/arctic15-startup-conference-2027/whats-happening-in-2027
- arctic15.com/buy-tickets-promo-hug37
- arctic15.com/community-partners
- arctic15.com/faq-2025
- arctic15.com/helsinki-2019
- arctic15.com/investors
- arctic15.com/press
- arctic15.com/top-100-innovations-2026
- arctic15.com/videos-photos
- arctic15.com/visit
- arctic15.com/visit
- arcticstartup.com/arctic15-2026-data
- arcticstartup.com/arctic15-2026-impact-report
- arcticstartup.com/arctic15-helsinki-2025
- arcticstartup.com/klu-raised-e200k-at-arctic15-helsinki
- arcticstartup.com/nooon-raises-funding-at-arctic15-pitching-competition
- arcticstartupevents.com
Arctic15: frequently asked
When is Arctic15 2027?
Arctic15 2027 runs Jun 16–17, 2027 at Kaapelitehdas (Cable Factory), Helsinki, according to the organiser's published dates.
How much does Arctic15 cost?
Published ticket prices run 2027: €25–€1,099 (published ticket prices before VAT; the corresponding displayed VAT-inclusive amounts are €28.38–€1,247.37), from the Expo Pass to Investor Select. Completed 2026 edition: the official ticket page listed €29–€1,699 from Expo Pass to Investor Select (2026).. Startups: Buy a Startup Ticket or Startup Booth package from the official event page; startup eligibility is verified. A SiRA™ assessment is required after purchase to retain the lower SiRA-verified price. The Top 100/Deal Tank application is a separate SiRA submission. (2027: €49 (SiRA™ Verified; including 13.5% VAT – €55.62) or €99 (no SiRA assessment required; including 13.5% VAT – €112.37). Completed 2026 edition: the published schedule listed SiRA-verified Startup Tickets at €79 from 2026-05-04 to 2026-06-03 and €149 from 2026-06-04 to 2026-06-11; standard Startup Tickets were €149 and then €249 over those periods.).
How do startups get into Arctic15?
Buy a Startup Ticket or Startup Booth package from the official event page; startup eligibility is verified. A SiRA™ assessment is required after purchase to retain the lower SiRA-verified price. The Top 100/Deal Tank application is a separate SiRA submission. Eligibility as published: For 2027, the ticket page requires a valid startup Business ID and says eligibility will be verified; agencies and consultancies are excluded. The official FAQ’s 2026 startup-ticket criteria additionally specified a legally registered company incorporated within the last five years and excluded accelerators, incubators and service providers.
How many investors attend Arctic15?
The organiser reports 450+ investors, including 66 LPs investors for the 2026 edition. Founders buy an eligible event ticket, complete a matchmaking profile, browse and request relevant meetings, confirm them in advance, and meet in the Deal Room. The platform’s matching uses profile information; the organizer advises founders to complete profiles and start requesting meetings early. 2026 matching was provided through SiRA Connect.
What is 100 Innovations – Shaping the Future Awards (2027 second edition); Deal Tank is a separate fundraising pitch format.?
Arctic15's pitch competition. Eligibility: The 2027 awards invite early- and growth-stage startups with functional prototypes or market traction, and research-driven ventures with validated proof points; the program is open globally and does not require revenue. Evaluation considers innovation, feasibility/readiness, market readiness, traction/validation, defensibility and impact. Deal Tank is described as for pre-seed/seed ventures seeking soft commitments from active angels and VCs.
How big is Arctic15?
3,255 participants attendees (2026), More than 1,150 startups mapped in the 2026 participation-data analysis startups, from 60+ countries countries, per the organiser.