More than two weeks after Slush it’s good to look back and remember what Slush actually was and is about. Slush is clearly the planet’s most vibrant tech and startup gathering with almost 20k people in dark, slushy Helsinki, but it’s also much more. To me Slush is mainly about personal encounters and even surprising…
Slush as an event experience
Awesome ! Slush is here! Joining actively the two days of exciting Slush extravaganza in Helsinki. Slush is though much more than just the 2 days main event. There’s fantastic pre-programs and side-events. Check more at slush.org/side_events/ . For me Slush as an event experience is pretty much about two things: 1 ) “Reaffirming” your…
@Slush: There’s never been a better time to go to China !
The Black Friday in the USA was a commercial success never seen before. A one day Thanksgiving shopping event sold over $4,5 billion in GMV last year. Another top American shopping date, Cyber Monday, broke a record of 3 billion in 2015. Massive numbers. Massive successes. On the other side of the world,…
The meaning of Slush to me – Do what you love, never give up, don’t fear failure (and learn)
After this year’s Shanghai, Tokyo and Singapore events Slush is back at home in Helsinki. Honoured to join and be part of the coolest startup event in the world. Since 2008 Slush has been changing the way people think about entrepreneurship and reaching and achieving your dreams. I’m particularly fond of the example and inspirational…
Revolutionary startup spirit
Hi folks, today I want to right about student revolutionary energy and Silicon Valley, and what they have to do with each other. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrVC5dm5fFc I watched again the classic from 5 years ago, Nicky Romero’s “Toulouse” and got inspired. It brought me back to that historical “revolutionary” times of Occupy Wall Street, Los Podemos,…
A week in Finland
Cool to be in Finland, woohoo! I’ll join 3 very interesting events: Starting up with FallUp, the biggest student event on entrepreneurship in whole Europe. In Helsinki on Tuesday-Wednesday. Wednesday evening one of the highlights of the week, joining Angry Birds co-founder Peter Vesterbacka, Nokia Chairman Risto Siilasmaa and Finnair CEO Pekka Rauramo on stage…
Do what you Love, connect your dots – My 2016 in retrospect
G20, Alibaba new recruits, startup buzz, and some awesome Chinese storytelling. It’s time for Lauri to start a new Autumn of 2016 in China. I’ll share here, what happened during this year 2016, brace your seatbelts. I’ve probably never been as excited as I am now about living in China. After 3+ years in China,…
Brexit: which one is integrating, Europe or China?
At the verge of the biggest political chaos in European Union since its founding, I’d like to share a few of my viewpoints here. Brexit shows Europe doesn’t know where it should be going, China does The discourse on integration on Europe and China is totally upside down There is still hope for Europe if…
Back in action :)
Happy Vappu to all! I’m back in action after a few weeks of holiday. Saw a lot of family members, relaxed without mobile phone, did sports and enjoyed in a Finnish sauna. Prepared also for the next steps. Things look pretty good for now, mind is relaxed and practicalities also fixed. I’ll share more info…
Inside Alibaba – it’s your values that count
What a week in Hangzhou! Returning back to the spot in Alibaba, which we visited a year ago with ASEF. Now for the sixth time at Alibaba in one year. I start to like this place… After spending 1 year at the core of Chinese startups, bigger companies and lived through the national startup push,…
Positive revolution in the world through entrepreneurship
“It’s leadership that rejects complacency, breaks through bureaucracy, challenges corruption. Doing what’s right, not what’s easy. It’s the radical idea of creating hope in a cynical world. Changing the way the world tackles poverty and building a world based on dignity.” Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder of Acumen in Slush Silver Stage on November 2015 Entrepreneurship is a…
A coffee with a China specialist: benevolence, adaptability, knowledge (and Plan B)
Things seem to be calming down and life goes on. Had a great meeting with Mikko Puhakka. He’s an independent maverick, a guy who does stuff on his own, knows the protocol yes, but doesn’t care too much about the governmental posing, as long as stuff goes forward. Mikko is also a well-respected consultant. I…
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