The future of circular investment is taking center stage in Helsinki as CircularInvest joins the global startup and tech community at this year’s Slush Event, recognised as one of the world’s leading gatherings for innovators and investors.
On Monday, 17 November, CircularInvest will host a dedicated side session during the event: Circular Connect – The Circular Economy Investment Case. The session aims to highlight why circularity is not only environmentally necessary but also increasingly attractive for investors seeking resilient, future-proof opportunities.
The event will bring together practitioners, investors, and city representatives to explore how circular business models can drive strong returns while addressing pressing sustainability challenges. Speakers include Dora Fazekas (Innova+, CircularInvest Coordinator), Kaisa Spilling (ARKI135), Jukka Hakola (Business Helsinki), and Nic Gorini (Spin Ventures). A central feature of the programme is a panel discussion moderated by Alisa Mick (MiXi), examining whether the Circular Economy can be considered a marketable and impactful financial asset.
The session concludes with a networking opportunity designed to help CircularInvest beneficiaries and partner projects connect directly with investors. This will allow participants to explore potential collaborations, discuss investment readiness, and strengthen the circular innovation ecosystem.
The side event is co-organised by CircularInvest (Circular Cities and Regions Initiative – CCRI), Arabian Kiertotaloushubi – Arabia Circular Hub Helsinki, MiXi Center, and Business Helsinki.
Date: Monday, November 17th, 2025
Time: 15:00 – 16:30 CET
Location: ARKI 135 Circular Hub, Hämeentie 135A, 4th floor, Helsinki
Agenda:
15:00 – Doors open: Arrival & coffee
15:10 – Welcome remarks – Kaisa Spilling (ARKI135) & Jukka Hakola (Business Helsinki)
15:20 – Shaping the Next Generation of Investment – Dora Fazekas (CircularInvest)
15:25 – Circular Economy as an Asset Class?
Panel discussion moderated by Alisa Mick (MiXi), with investors including Fredrik Blomquist (FundForward), Iida Miettinen (Ensto Invest), Heli Kerminen (Tesi).
15:50 – Nic Gorini (Spin Ventures) - Keynote
16:00 - Networking
Meet standout companies from CircularInvest and the ARKI 135 Circular Programme in a relaxed setting and explore potential collaborations and investment opportunities.
The Circular Investment Readiness Network (CIRN) continues their series of sessions to support circular economy projects in overcoming development and financial challenges. The next session will take place on 25 February and Guus Ter Haar, Director of Impact at Circle Economy, will be introducing the networking session.
ReLab AB converts mixed post-consumer plastic waste into high-value raw materials. Through this circular strategy, it aims to provide a solution to the negative environmental aspect of plastic waste, while contributing to circularity and sustainability.
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Recirculate Systems aims to reduce single-use waste by linking reusable items directly to payment transactions through app-free, POS-integrated technology. Founder & CEO Ali Hood shares how the startup is transforming circularity and scaling its impact with support from CircularInvest.
