Wasa Future Festival (WFF) 2024

The Vaasa region and the Nordic Kvarken EGTC have the potential to become a significant European hub of excellence and growing competitiveness over the next 20 years, particularly in the fields of energy and the green transition. Europe needs frontrunners, as it is lagging the rest of the world economically and technologically, especially when compared to the period following the fall of the Berlin Wall.

A central theme of the Wasa Future Festival is “Modern Export Industry Policy” (MEIP), which goes beyond industrial buildings and production. It also encompasses expertise, know-how, productivity, and an understanding of global markets. Products and services must remain competitive for decades. During the WFF days, the region’s actions will be comprehensively reviewed and decided upon: technology development, innovation, R&D levels, utilization of talent, education and new learning environments, productivity improvement, healthcare reform, and the integration of leisure and culture to support these activities.

The goal is to achieve leadership, and each session aims for collaboration and concrete actions over the next year.

Projects must address real needs, not the other way around. “Good guys” are more important than institutions and structures.

NOTE: Updated 080824. Last-minute changes to the program, including speakers, schedules, or venues, are possible.

STREAM: https://www.youtube.com/@wasafuturefestival1521

Forest Day (FIN, SWE)
Organized by Regional Council of Ostrobothnia & Co

Lunch for speakers (Bock’s restaurant), Regional Council of Ostrobothnia

Welcome
Venue: Mindsquare
Provincial director Mats Brandt, Regional Council of Ostrobothnia

“Political Autumn”
Venue: Mindsquare
Member of Parliament Matias Marttinen, KOK

”The ingredients for the future spring from Finland’s forests and countryside”
Venue: Mindsquare
Secretary of State Päivi Nerg, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, incl. discussion 10 min

“From timber to medicines – added value in the forestry sector”
Venue: Mindsquare
professor Monika Österberg, Aalto University, member of The Forestry Panel

”Wood is our path Forward!”
Maarit Lindström, director, Metsäteollisuus Association

Coffee break (Metsä Health product presentation)

NOTE. 2-4PM Mindsquare booked for other/ non-related event, WFF continues upstairs in the Right Wing

Industrial Areas, Circular Economy and Industrial Carbon Sinks
Venue: Right Wing
Alholmen Circular Economy Platform, Åsa Björkman, Concordia

New rural life: “Sun, wind and water – long-term sustainable natural resources in a vibrant countryside”
Venue: Right Wing

Ingvar Kulla, CEO, Esse Elektro-kraft
Mathias Högbacka, executive director, Aktion Pohjanmaa and PEAK-project (Development of the local energy system in Ostrobothnia)

Side event: POMEDIA” The Future is Vegan” (FI)
Venue: Barn
Animal rights activist Benjamin Pitkänen, known from Viral Vegans, has written together with Pavel Tahkovuori the non-fiction book Dear animals we eat, which will be published in August. Student media Pomedia interviews Pitkästa, who is coming to Vaasa, at the Wasa Future Festival on August 5 in the Barn/Lato space of Bock’s brewery. Pitkänen tells how the book came about and what the activists are aiming for with it. It is also discussed whether a vegan future is possible.

Guided Tour: Hall of Fame” The region’s innovations and know-how”
Venue: Exhibitions, Bock’s Village

 STREAM: Youtube/Wasafuturefestival/streams

Day of universities and colleges
Vaasa University, Novia, VAMK & Åbo Akademi

Breakfast, Mindsquare

The Impactful University and the RDI ecosystem. University of Vaasa creating new ways of industrial and societal impact from academia
Venue: Mindsquare
Moderator: Minna Martikainen

Building the Vasa Startup Ecosystem – How to strengthen the development of new high potential companies from Vaasa? (ENG)
Venue: Mindsquare
Moderators: Philipp Holtkamp, Patrik Österåker, Jussi Itävuori, Marko Koski & Pekka Koponen

Spouse Program Networking and Panel Discussion (ENG)
Venue: Right Wing
Moderators: Liya Antony and Ivonne Ramirez
Facilitators: Foujia Nipa and Shailja Talati

Lunch break, Bock’s Corner Brewery

Are Finnish companies ready for the implementation of the CER directive?
Chairs: Petri Uusikylä & Harri Jalonen
Venue: Mindsquare

Description: Finland is now working on developing policies and regulations for security of supply, preparedness, and national security. These efforts aim to address the emerging problems posed by security threats at both the national and EU levels. The panel will deliberate on methods to synchronise and integrate these regulatory and strategic procedures. The event will be attended by renowned national experts in the field.

Keynote:
“Harmonization of the critical infrastructure regulation at the national and European levels”
Eero Kytömaa (Ministerial Advisor), Ministry of the Interior.

Panel:
Research director Petri Uusikylä (moderator) and
Professor Harri Jalonen (University of Vaasa),
Postdoc researcher Aino Rantamäki (University of Vaasa),
Ministerial Advisor Eero Kytömaa (Ministry of the Interior),
Security of supply expert Jouko Kinnunen (ex-Chemical Industry), and
Director of Preparedness and Security Jouni Pousi (Migri).

“One-way ticket to Vaasa” by Vaasa International Talents (ENG)
Venue: Right Wing
Novia, Aina Rodriguez Angelet, Pia Junger

“An inspiring presentation by the alumni of Vaasa International Talents. Pakkawan Poomuang, Tayyab Shafique, Sayem Araf, Elizaveta Asplund, Melina Hermann, and Collins O. Ajagbe will share the journey of an international student in Vaasa, highlighting the challenges to overcome, the cultural adjustments made, and other lessons learned along the way.”

Workshop on the impact of the pandemic on innovation culture. How did the innovation culture change? What kind of remedies, policies, and approaches could be implemented to strengthen the innovation culture of the region? Linking to the topics around culture 3.0 to develop concrete actions (ENG)
Venue: Barn
Martin Meyer & Darren Dalcher

Side event: POMEDIA The best possible future for journalism (FI)
Venue: Barn
Moderator: Hanna Hietikko
Student media Pomedia organizes a discussion about the future of journalism at the Wasa Future Festival. Olli Seuri and Jussi Sippola from Helsinki, founders of the new news media, Uusi Juttu, mediation journalist and dialogue expert Noora Kettunen, as well as local journalist, media entrepreneur Nadia Paavola and Ilkka-Pohjalainen and Lännen Media journalist Joonas Kuikka will come to discuss the topic.

Guided Tour: Hall of Fame”The region’s innovations and know-how”
Venue: Exhibitions, Bock’s Village

YoungTalk24 – International talents and SME’s: an evening of solutions in the spirit of co-creation (ENG)
Venue: Mindsquare

Networking – Get out of your own bubble

Welcoming words and a glimpse from YoungTalk23
Moderators Khin Phyu Cyn Kyi, Kartik Sharma and Ready for Talents Project Manager Sara Nyyssölä

Get Inspired: How to develop Ostrobothnia in order to attract and retain international talents?

Emilia Lidsle, Glocal talents, Ostrobothnia Chamber of Commerce
Mikko Pohjola, R&D Manager, Kempower

Success story of an international talent in a SME
Shariful Islam Chowdhary, VEO 

Co-creation Starts, A moment of interaction with the audience

THEME 1: Young Talent’s/Entrepreneur’s Perspectives: The Future of Work: Enhancing Ostrobothnia’s business landscape with international expertise
Pitch Talk: Laila Fe Balinggan, Design and Disrupt
solution discussion at the tables

THEME 2: SME’s perspectives: Success Stories in Hiring Foreign Employees
Pitch Talk: Jakob Wikström, Wikström Media
Solution discussion at the tables, a moment of interaction with the audience

Introduction: Vaasa for All Ry
Johanna Kauppinen

Break

THEME 3: Solutions to International talents recruitment to SME’s
a moment of interaction with the audience
Pitch Talk: Maija Aarnio, Rannikko-Pohjanmaan Yrittäjät
solution discussion at the tables

Closing words
Joakim Strand, Minister of European Affairs and Ownership Streering

Solutions on the table – how to proceed
moderators Khin Phyu Cyn Kyi and Kartik Sharma

 STREAM: Youtube/Wasafuturefestival/streams

ENERGY @ NEW FRONTIERS

Breakfast, Wasa Innovation Center: Mindsquare

THEME 1: Circular economy business models
Venue: Mindsquare
Opening words: Hanna Malkamäki

Finance and Legislation
What everyone should know about the opportunities offered by the sustainability revolution to create new business models in line with the circular economy. What kind of funding opportunities does it offer and what kind of requirements does the legislation set.
Christoffer Granholm, Senior Manager, Ernst & Young

From coffee grounds to coffee mugs
A substantial amount of coffee grounds is discarded every day, despite their valuable properties, while the use of disposable cups is increasing at an alarming rate each year. Grounded has developed a one-day coffee cup that utilizes coffee ground waste as the main material.
Tinus Byrgesen, Grounded, Denmark (Teams)

The uture of corporate textile maintenance
Clewor combines expert service, a digitalized service model, logistics solutions and an industrial laundry service into a certified business textile service solution.
Annastina Liedes, Clewor

Closing words
Hanna Malkamäki, Vaasanseudun kehitys Oy VASEK and Fredrik Hanstén, Dynamo Närpes & Business Kristinestad

THEME 2: BotH2nia HydrogenValley
Venue: Mindsquare

The future of the Finnish hydrogen market
Gasgrid promotes the carbon-neutral energy and raw material system of the future. Key areas of operation are the transfer platform and the gas market, which are developed customer oriented.
Heli Virkki, Gasgrid

BotH2nia Hydrogen Valley in a nutshell
BotH2nia hydrogen valley covers 4 districts and 8 value chains. The value of its investments is EUR 3.6 billion in total and, when realized, it will bring together 90+ innovative operators.
Sari Kola, Merinova 

Panel Discussion
What does BotH2nia Hydrogen Valley mean from the perspective of different stakeholders: Who benefits and how?
moderator, Sari Kola, Merinova
Herkko Plit, P2X 
Matti Malkamäki, Hycamite
Tomas Häyry, City of Vaasa
Olli-Pekka Aalto, Danfoss 

Lunch, Bock’s Corner Brewery

Kurikan Grand Canyon – Tutkimus, teknologia ja tulevaisuus (FI/ENG)
Venue: Right Wing
Kurikan hydrogeologian tiedeinstituutti: Anna-Kaisa Pusa, Kurikan kaupunginjohtaja

Kurikan syväpohjavesihanke: Juha Kotiranta, Kurikan Vesihuolto Oy
Niko Putkinen, Geologian tutkimuskeskus

Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twins in Geosciences (Tekoäly ja digitaaliset kaksoset geotieteissä):
Holger Kessler, Geoscientist, AtkinsRealis | Digital Transformation and Data Sharing

THEME 3: Development of Finland’s Power Market
Venue: Mindsquare

The future of Finland’s energy system
Modeling results: Future picture of the Finnish energy system and the need for flexible and reliable capacity.
Kenneth Engblom, Wärtsilä

Perspectives on the development of the power market
The results of the interview survey conducted in May-June to inform the discussion.
Sari Kola, Merinova

Panel discussion
What does the development of the power market require from energy companies? What is Fingrid’s role? What actions is the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment taking? 
moderator Sari Kola, Merinova
Kenneth Engblom, Wärtsilä
Hannu Linna, Fingrid
Stefan Damlin, Vaasan Sähkö
Kirsi Hautala, Kokkolan Energia

Coffee break, Wasa Innovation Center: Mindsquare

THEME 4: GigaVaasa Talk 2024 (ENG)
Venue: Mindsquare
moderator Marko Kuokkanen
Our roundtable discussions will cover three exciting themes:
– Preparing for investment in the GigaVaasa area: Where do we stand?
– Making mega-investments a reality: Strategies for success
– The role of public authorities in fostering investment: How can they help?
Participant list includes for example following speakers:

Freyr Battery Finland, Tor Stendahl, Managing Director & Country Manager
Epsilon Advanced Materials Vikram Handa, Managing Director
Shanshan New Material, Yuan Ruwei, Deputy Director, Supply Chain
GigaVaasaTeam, Tomas Häyry, Mayor of Vaasa
Member of Parliament, Miapetra Kumpula-Natri
Business Finland, Markku Kivistö, Head of Industry, Cleantech, Invest in
European Investment Bank, Jaani Pietikäinen, Head of EIB Group Office for Finland
Finnish Minerals Group, Matti Hietanen, CEO
Ministry of Employment and the Economy, Janne Peltola, Ministerial Adviser

KvarkenSat / SpaceEconomy (ENG)
Venue: Right Wing
Moderators: Heidi Kuusniemi, Reino Virrankoski, Johanna Haveri, Jari Ratilainen & Philipp Holtkamp
Space Business Learning Café: What kind of business models does Space enable? For you? Your company? The region? How do we leverage space to enable new products and services? Learning café style workshop to untangle the mystery of new space business and the usage of space data to strengthen existing businesses or create new business opportunities.

Powered by light – Photonics is clean energy!
Venue: Lato / Barn

Speakers: Juha Purmonen, Impact Manager, PREIN Flagship, Executive Director, Photonics Finland
Photonics Business Development Manager, Photonics innovation ecosystem in cities, InnoCities

Jyrki Saarinen, Dr.Sc. (Tech.), MBA
Professor, UEF – Photonics Applications and Commercialization Head, Center for Photonics Sciences
Deputy Director (impact), PREIN Flagship

Photonics enables the production of clean energy, from solar panels to hydrogen economy and recycling. Its solutions range from small home power plants to industrial-scale needs. Photonics also includes modern energy-saving solutions such as LED lighting, motion sensors, OLED displays, and fiber optics. This is a key technology of the 21st century, offering increasingly efficient solutions for energy utilization and storage.

Photonics is a field of science and technology based on invisible and visible light, enabling many familiar and future applications such as optical communication, laser surgery, solar cells, and virtual and augmented reality displays. Photonics plays a significant role in developing future technologies!

Launch: Silicon Valley for Energy Transfer, Cocktail gathering
Venue: Mindsquare
Moderators: Minna Martikainen & Mika Grundström
By Collaborators and University of Vaasa. What do we want to achieve? What do we need? WHO do we need (national and international collaborators)? What are key steps by 2030 to make this happen?

On demand:
Guided Tour: Hall of Fame ”The region’s innovations and know-how”
Venue: Exhibitions, Bock’s Village

 STREAM: Youtube/Wasafuturefestival/streams

TECHNOLOGY @ NORDIC & Mexico Day, with ambassador and business delegation

Schedule of personal Business meetings on Thursday with Ambassador

Breakfast, Wasa Innovation Center: Mindsquare

AI for business
Venue: Mindsquare
moderator: Stefan Lindström
Tero Ojanperä, Silo.AI
Atte Jääskeläinen, SITRA
Antti Vasara, CEO, VTT
Harri Kulmala CEO, DIMECC
Paula Erkkilä, CEO, Chamber of Commerce in Ostrobothnia
Antti Kurvinen, Member of Parliament

Productivity in order
Venue: Mindsquare
Moderator: Stefan Lindström
Ville Vertanen, CEO, Statistics Finland
Timo Jaatinen, Head of Office, Ministry of Labor and Economic Affairs
Hannu Krook, CEO, S Group
Timo Korkeamäki, Principal, Aalto University
Minna Martikainen, Principal, University of Vaasa
Matias Mäkynen, Member of Finnish Parliament

The Importance of the Real Economy: Wille Rydman, Minister of Economic Affairs, WIC Innovation Award,
Scholarship for Young Entrepreneurs by Christoffer Häggblom
Venue: Mindsquare

Ambassador Rojo Mexico presentation

Lunch break, Bock’s Corner Brewery

THEME: Kvarken and Modern Export Industry Policy
Venue: Mindsquare
The event is aimed at political influencers and decision-makers, but it is also open to a wider audience.

Growth and security in Pohjola (ENG)
Moderator: Sarah Väre
The language of the event is English; questions can be asked in Nordic languages ​​and in English. Simultaneous interpretation from English to Swedish.

Coffee and mingle

Introduction
Sarah Väre, Growth Manager, Kvarken Council EGTC

Welcome
Rickard Carstedt, Regional Councillor of Region Västerbotten
Anna-Kaisa Pusa, Mayor of Kurikka and Deputy Chair of the Board of Kvarken Council EGTC
Kjell Skoglund, CEO of Finnish-Swedish Chamber of Commerce 

A Northern perspective – challenges and opportunities for collaboration in the North
Wegger Christian Strømmen, Norwegian Ambassador to Finland 

Finland needs an inspiring vision for its future: a Nordic approach
Martin Paasi, Memeber of Parliament, Chairman of the Board for Finnish Economists, financial specialist at Nordnet and founder of consulting company Recubator

Nordic and Arctic Security – convergent connectivities?
Niklas Eklund, Professor at the Department of Political Science at Umeå University and deputy chief of Arctic Center (Arcum)

Plan B for the Nordics
Risto E.J. Penttilä, CEO, Nordic West Office

Nordic Connector – how to finance a fixed link over Kvarken
Kim Wikström, Professor, Laboratory of Industrial Management, Åbo Akademi  

Panel discussion
What challenges and opportunities does the new geopolitical situation create in the Nordics and the Arctic region? How about our NATO membership? What does politics and the business sector need to act on now? 

Wegger Christian Strømmen
Risto E.J. Penttilä
Martin Paasi
Niklas Eklund
Kim Wikström

Reflections and conclusion
Tua Takasu, Project Manager, Finnish-Swedish Chamber of Commerce 

The latest version of the program can be found here: https://www.kvarken.org/en/events/wff2024

Guided Tour: Hall of Fame ”The region’s innovations and know-how”
Venue: Exhibitions, Bock’s Village

16:15 Seminarie del 2: Shaping tomorrow in the Nordic countries
Venue: Right Wing

16:15 Talare & Inspiratör Anna Hellerstedt, tidigare vd för Hufvudstadsbladet ab, Samfundet Folkhälsans tillträdande vd

16:30 Talare & Insipratör Malin Påhls-Hansson, Projektledare Doings.se

16:45 Talturer från studentaktiva samt organisationer

17:00 Paneldiskussion: “Så här skapar vi möjligheter för karriär i Norden”
Anna Hellerstedt & Malin Påhls-Hansson tillsammans med moderator Anna Bertills

17:15-17:30 Avslutande diskussion

Nordic Defence Industry (Special invitation only)
Venue: Mindsquare
Janne Jaakkola, Chief of defence and commander of the Finnish Defence Forces
Anders Gardberg, CEO, Saab Finland Oy
Tuija Karanko, general secretary, Defense and Aerospace Industry PIA ry
Wegger Christian Strømmen, Norwegian Ambassador for Finland
Esa Rautalinko, CEO, Patria
Joachim Finkelman, director for DI Försvar & Sikkerhed
Carsten Hasenfuss Danmarks Nordisk försvarsattache

Music from Mexico 
Venue: Bock’s Corner Brewery
Mexican Classic Guitar musical performance 

Dinner, Bock’s Corner Brewery, pre-booking required, anne.suomalainen@bocksbrewery.com
Price for WFF guests 64€/person (norm. 75€) incl. 2 drinks, appetizer table, hot food table, dessert table, coffee/tea

 STREAM: Youtube/Wasafuturefestival/streams

Breakfast, Wasa Innovation Center: Mindsquare

Nordic Connector (invitation only, RSVP 31.7)
Venue: Right Wing
Nordic logistics – energy – industry – softpower – security integration: New Nordic world.

President Sauli Niinistö: Greetings to the meeting/Arctic dimensions
Defence Minister of Finland Antti Häkkänen: Greetings to Nordic Connector meeting
Minister Joakim Strand/Director Mathias Lindström : Progress of Nordic Connector
Experienced designer, CEO Esa Eranti: Standard solution with variations. Timetable&costs,
Finnish Defence Forces headquarter security colonel Jaakko Jurvelin: logistics and NATO aspects

Comments: Ambassador of Norway Wegger Christian Strömmen, Västerbotten region counselor Rickard Carlstedt, Mayor of Rana Geir Waage, Nurminen Logistics CEO Olli Pohjanvirta, Member of Parliament, Ville Skinnari, Umeå stad Hans Lindberg, Vasa city Tomas Häyry, Equinor Analyst Simen Sögn-Larssen, Gasgrid CEO Olli Sipilä, Fingrid Chairman of Board Hannu Linna

Forerunners in Healthcare: Potential of Big Data and AI
Venue: Mindsquare
The role of Big Data and artificial intelligence in early-stage diagnostics and treatment, Lasse Lehtonen, Director of Diagnostic Services, Professor, Helsinki University Hospital

Artificial intelligence in healthcare: evidence, potential and risks, Enni Sanmark, Research Director, MD, PhD, HUS, University of Helsinki

Moderator: Suvi Einola, Chief Strategy and Development Officer, PhD, Wellbeing Services County of Ostrobothnia, SoteInnoHub

+ The HOLOBIONTIC exhaled air analyzer assisted by Wasa Innovation Center will be presented live.

Commentator: Kim Berg, Member of Finnish Parliament

Pioneering in health care: Preventing the exclusion of young people (FIN)
Venue: Mindsquare
Moderator and initiator: Anne Salovaara-Kero, chairman of the board, Ostrobothnia Welfare Region

THEME: The future and success of Ostrobothnia is linked to how our young people are doing.
VISION: The healthiest children, young people and families live in Ostrobothnia! How do we get there? There must be cooperation across sectors and municipal boundaries. Come and listen to experts on the subject!
Expert speeches and panel:
Anders Adelercreutz, Minister of Education
Siv Kola, head of child and family work, Ostrobothnia Welfare Region
Inger Damlin, President, Finlanssvenska lärarförbundet
Joonas Turtonen, criminal police constable, Ostrobothnia Police Department
Triinu Varblane, NordicHub Manager, Export Advisor, Viexpo

Comment speech: Kim Berg, Member of Finnish Parliament

Regional leadership in natural sciences: New learning environments (FIN,SWE)
Venue: Mindsquare
Minister of Education, Anders Adlercreutz
Jan Holmgård, Sursik school: Studying natural sciences on a ship
Miikka Mattila, Kuulampi school: Interest in mathematics and genuine competence on the rise with videos and a mobile phone.

Lunch break, Bock’s Corner Brewery

Breakdance performance
Jussi Sirviö dance school Saiffa

CULTURE 3.0

Kvarken EGTC – Culture 3.0 frontrunner in Europe (ENG, FIN)
Venue: Mindsquare
Sanna Bondas and Suvi Aho, City of Vaasa
KIC program’s pioneering role for the region
prof. Pier Luigi Sacco
Ambra Trotto, director, EIT Culture & Creativity
Ragnar Siil, Creative Industies, Tallinn
Rosa Meriläinen, Secretary General, KULTSA ry

Local case studies: New sports culture, new work culture, new entrepreneurial culture

Coffee break
Venue: Mindsquare

Culture 3.0: Artificial Intelligence in visual arts (FIN)
Venue: Mindsquare
Jukka Hautamäki
“”Neural daemons with sugary divinations”. Artificial Intelligence in visual art.”
The lecture is part of the Vauhdittamo project of the Finnish Cultural Foundation.

Culture 3.0: Art and culture as builders of a sustainable city (FIN, SWE)

How art and culture are contributing to and influencing active citizenship, sustainable communities and the strengthening of identity. THEME is discussed through three examples and there is a discussion about the role of art and culture as part of a sustainable city.
Case Cooperative 3E, Kirsi Koivuporras
Case Night of the Arts, cultural producer Geir Byrkjeland
Katukulttuuri ry / Sandra Marins.

After the case examples, a joint discussion (30 min). The moderator is Sanna Bondas, director of culture and library activities.

Guided Tour: Hall of Fame ”The region’s innovations and know-how”
Venue: Exhibitions, Bock’s Corner Village