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Talent Boost Summit 2026

Busy crowd networking

Date
October 7, 2026
Time:
8:30 am - 6:00 pm
Location:
Finland, Uusimaa
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Join the biggest annual event on international talent attraction, recruitment and retention.

The next Talent Boost Summit will take place on October 7, 2026 at Finlandia Hall, in the heart of Helsinki.

 

Talent Boost Summit is Finland’s largest annual business and expert event focused on international talent, innovation and growth. In 2025, the event brought together nearly 900 participants, with almost 500 attending in person.

 

The event is aimed at: 

  1. Companies
  2. Stakeholders
  3. Decision-makers
  4. Labour migration and attraction ecosystem leaders internationally

 

It brings together leading companies, key stakeholders and  public sector representatives to discuss how to attract, recruit and retain international talent – and how to harness international expertise to drive business growth, internationalization and innovation.

 

Come make the future of Finland and the world together with us!

Event program

MAIN STAGE – VERANDA 2

Hosts: Megha Goswami & Kristaps Kovalonoks

 

8:30–9:30 Registration & networking over coffee  

 

9:30–9:40 Welcome & agenda by hosts

 

9:40–9:55 Opening speech: “Time for Radical Solutions: Let's turn Finland into Talent Bioreactor”
Inka Mero, CEO, Voima Ventures Oy

 

10:00–10:20 Keynote::  “Why Finland’s Next Growth Phase Will Be Built by International Teams”
Amel Gaily, Entrepreneur and Advisor

 

10:25–10:45 Keynote: “How Global Talent and Innovation Shape Finland’s Future Competitiveness”
Tuomas Saikkonen, CEO, Vilpe Oy

 

10:50–11:30 Panel discussion: “Human Capital as the Greatest Asset in Times of Transformation and Uncertainty ”
Panelist:

  • Risto Vuohelainen, Executive Director, Business Finland
  • Joonas Mikkilä, Senior Advisor, Technology Industries of Finland
  • Ted Apter, Special Advisor, Suomen Ekonomit
  • Mikko Räsänen, Senior Adviser, Confederation of Finnish Industries EK
  • Owain Hopeaketo, Project Manager, Tekniikan akateemiset TEK
  • Susanna Huovinen,  Deputy Managing Director, Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities

Panel host: Laura Lindeman, Senior Director, Work in Finland / Business Finland.

 

11:30–13:00 Complimentary lunch 
During the break, attendees can network and visit the exhibition area.  



13:00–14:30 Afternoon sessions

The afternoon program consists of three themed rooms (Veranda 1, Veranda 2 & Veranda 4) with two 40 min sessions each. Attendees can change the topic rooms during the 10 min break between the sessions at 13:40–13:50. 

VERANDA 1

Theme: Labour market in 2030

 

Part 1 13:00–13:40 (40min)
Topic: Future trends

Hosts: Megha Goswami & Kristaps Kovalonoks

 

Keynote: “What is the Promise For the Future in Finland?”
Elina Kiiski-Kataja, Director, Foresight & Training, Sitra the Finnish Innovation Fund

 

Panel discussion: “Innovation and growth through internationalization in the society”
Panelists:

  • Elina Kiiski-Kataja, Director, Foresight & Training, Sitra the Finnish Innovation Fund
  • Mikko Möttönen, Quantum professor, Aalto University
  • Jorden Senior, Research Team Leader, VTT

 

Break / transition window 13:40–13:50

 

Part 2 13:50–14:30 (40min)
Topic: Integration today – Making Finland home for international talent

Hosts: Megha Goswami & Kristaps Kovalonoks

 

Opening words
Mari Taverne, Service Director, the City of Tampere
Glenn Gassen, Director of Migration Affairs, the City of Helsinki 
Representing the cooperation of Finland’s six largest cities: Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Tampere, Turku and Oulu.

 

Panel Discussion

Panelists:

  • Teemu Haapalehto, Director for Economic Development, the City of Espoo
  • Markku Lahtinen, Director, Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce
  • Sofia Lähdeniemi, Head of International Relations, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences 
  • Jutta Linna, Senior Adviser, International Affairs, Akava
  • Jenni Gallagher, CHRO, Fazer
  • Juan Alcaide, international talent

VERANDA 2

Theme: International collaboration, synergies and future of global mobility

 

Part 1 13:00–13:40 (40min)

Topic: How could Europe join forces in the Talent competition? 

Host: Katri Niskanen, Government Counsellor, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment

 

Keynote: EU Talent Pool – first Union-wide platform for international recruitment
Bianka Debussche Valkovicova, Policy Coordinator, DG EMPL, European Commission

 

Keynote: Connecting European Opportunities with Indian Talent – the European Legal Gateway Office in India
Dr. Surabhi Singh, Country Coordinator for India, International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) 

 

Break / transition window 13:40–13:50

 

Part 2 13:50–14:30 (40min)

Topic: Future vision and current experiences of Talent Attraction, Retention and Recruitment

Host: Jannika Saario, Group Manager, Work in Finland / KEHA Centre

 

An expert panel discussion

Panelists:

  • Dan Rosenberg, Director of Talent, Copenhagen Capacity
  • Kristi Veskus, Head of Work in Estonia, Enterprise Estonia
  • Santeri Ojala, Head of International Operations, Work in Finland

VERANDA 4

Theme: Talents, entrepreneurship, and growth companies – Foundations of Finland’s future

 

Part 1 13:00–13:40 (40min)

Topic: Unlocking Entrepreneurship as a Driver of Growth, Talent Retention and Regional Vitality 

Host: Roham Malekzadehbagheri

 

Opening Words: “How Migrant Entrepreneurs Drive Growth and Strengthen Finland’s Economy” 
Sonja Antosalo, Specialist, Suomen Yrittäjät

 

Keynote: “Why Now Is Not the Time to Settle”
Antonia Eneh, CEO, Elva and Board Member of Wave Ventures

 

Break / transition window 13:40–13:50

 

Part 2 13:50–14:30 (40min)

Topic: Igniting Finland’s Next Phase – The Power of Growth Companies

Host: Hanna Riski, Senior Advisor, Confederation of Finnish Industries EK

 

Opening words: “Alternative future to Finland’s growth”
Karoliina Lehtonen, Head of Impact, Growth Collective (Kasvuryhmä)

 

Panel Discussion

Panelists: 

  • Karoliina Lehtonen, Head of Impact, Growth Collective
  • Antonia Eneh, CEO, Elva
  • Jyri Engeström, Partner, Lifeline Ventures

 

14:30–15:15 Coffee break & networking in the lobby

MAIN STAGE – VERANDA 2

15:15 Political Panel: Talent Retention and the Future of Labour Migration

Panel host: Alec Neihum

 

Participating political parties: 

  • National Coalition Party: Arto Satonen
  • Green League: Mari Holopainen
  • Christian Democrats in Finland: Susanna Kokkonen
  • Swedish People’s Party (RKP): Anders Adlercreutz
  • Left Alliance: Gashaw Bibani
  • Social Democratic Youth (SDP):Julia Väänänen

16:05 International Employer of the Year Award 2026 ceremony
Host: Niko Hiltunen, National Competition Director, JCI Finland

  • Remarks by winning companies 
  • Award certificates given by Minister Matias Marttinen 

16:35 Closing remarks
Matias Marttinen, Minister of Employment, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment   

 

16:50 Feedback QR code 


17:00 Afterwork networking & cocktails 

Music by DJ Panic and performance by Style Dance Industry

 

Media corner: Available in Veranda 4 during breaks and mainstage program. 

Organizers

Talent Boost Summit 2026 is organized by Work in Finland in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.

 

For more information and partnership opportunities please contact:

Ville Rautio

Manager Talent Boost Network and Diversity

050 349 6816

Vesa Liesivuori

Development specialist

029 502 6620

Keynote speeches of 2025