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.
Access here the agenda and detailed information about the event!
Circle Economy brought together entrepreneurs, financiers, policymakers and development institutions to explore one key question: what can be solved through finance, and what requires broader systemic change?
With just weeks to go, registration is filling up fast for "Scaling Circular Investment: From Barriers to Opportunity", the final CircularInvest event taking place on 15 October 2026 at Maison Grand-Place in the centre of Brussels, a side event to the European Week of Regions and Cities.
How can we unlock the finance needed to scale the circular economy? Join CircularInvest at this World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) Accelerator Session and explore practical solutions for redirecting capital towards circular business models.
