Warm Cloud over the Cool Planet (Workshop)

Join us at Startup Sauna for Upright Project Founder Story, an evening with Annu Nieminen, co-founder and CEO of Upright. Annu started Upright in 2017, after studying Information Networks at Aalto, to build a model that quantifies the real-world consequences of companies. Upright is a Helsinki-based technology company. Its AI engine sizes sustainability impacts, risks and opportunities from scientific research, not just what companies report about themselves. Today it is used by 300+ companies, investors and advisors. Upright's data also powers TIME and Statista's World's Most Impactful Companies 2026 list. In this founder story, we'll get into how Upright came together, what it takes to build this kind of company from Helsinki, and what the journey looks like when the problem is bigger than a product. Come by, bring your questions, and get inspired. Snacks and refreshments will be served.

Join Aaltoes and Icebreaker VC for a fireside chat with Urho Konttori, founder of Varjo and Distance, moderated by Riku Seppälä, General Partner at Icebreaker VC. Bringing together founder experience and an investor’s perspective, we’ll explore what it takes to raise funding while building a hardware startup.⁠ What makes hardware fundraising different from software? What do investors look for in hardware founders? Come hear insights from both sides of the table and learn about hardware funding whether you are looking at a career as a founder or an investor, or you are just curious. The conversation will be followed by a traditional Q&A and networking.