WTC Turku

WTC & EEN afternoon: Czech and Slovak markets
2024-12-11 14:00 - 15:30 (Europe/Helsinki) | Vierailukeskus Joki, Lemminkäisenkatu 12B, Turku, Suomi
Are you interested in exploring new business opportunities in Central Europe? Join us on Wednesday-afternoon, December 11th, 2024, for an inspiring in-person event at Vierailukeskus Joki, where we dive into the dynamic markets of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.
This event is designed for everyone looking to start or grow their business in these markets. Whether you’re a seasoned exporter or just starting out, this session will provide valuable insights to help you succeed.
Program highlights:
🕑 14:00 Welcome by WTC Turku & Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Finland
🕒 14:10 Guest Speakers:
– Martin Nastišin, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Slovak Republic: Doing Business in Slovakia – Good Idea!
– Jana Arhio, Economic and Trade Specialist, Embassy of the Czech Republic: Czech Republic, a Good Place to Do Business
– Mika Lautanala, Chief Advisor, Business Finland: Czech Republic and Slovakia – Europe’s Growth Markets
🕓 15:10 Discussion & Networking
🕔 15:30 Event ends
The event is free of charge but requires prior registration here.
Don’t miss this opportunity to network, gain market insights, and connect with experts!

Export Opportunities: Spain and Italy
2024-12-16 10:00 - 10:45 | Online
Join us for a quick webinar with laser focus on Spain and Italy. WTC Turku Partner Columdae, an export and business expansion expert, will be sharing insights on sectors, approach and business cultural issues in these countries.
Program:

Welcome and introduction of Columdae (5mins) by Kari Mäkeläinen, Columdae Senior Consultant
Business opportunities in Spain: sectors, approach, business cultural issues (15 mins) by Miquel Ros, Columdae Senior Expert, Spain
Business opportunities in Italy: sectors, approach, business cultural issues (15 mins) by Claudio Pellegatta, Columdae Senior Expert and Account Manager, Italy
Q & A (10 mins)

This webinar is free of charge and open for everyone interested in learning more about doing business in Spain and Italy. Register here and you’ll receive the webinar link prior to the event:
REGISTER BY CLICKING HERE.
Columdae offers a Preliminary Assessment of Business Opportunities to each participant free of charge. If you wish to book a meeting, please select the appropriate option in the registration form or contact Kari Mäkeläinen, kari@columdae.com.

Tanzania BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT FORUM
2025-02-13 09:00 - 16:00 | Vierailukeskus Joki, Lemminkäisenkatu 12B, Turku, Suomi
PROGRAMME
12th February 2025
– Pre arranged B2B meetings: Tanzania and Finland hosts at venue of their choice
13th February 2025
09.00-09.30: Welcome Coffee
09.30-09.45: Opening Remarks (Ambassador and Guest of Honour)
09.45-10.45 Short presentations by Tanzania and Finland Cooperation and investment opportunities in mining, forestry, Energy, ICT and women-led businesses.
10.45-12.00: B2B / Speed Meetings Session 1
12.00-12.30: Light Lunch
12.30-13.00: B2B / Speed Meetings Session 2
13.00-13.30: Q&A,
13.30-14.00: Resolutions/Way forward and Closing words
14.00 -16.00: Honorary Consulate’s 10th Anniversary Reception
14th February 2025
Study Tour(s)
Registration and further information: vesa.viitaniemi@outlook.com

Start-Ups and Students - Pitching Event and Competition
2025-04-08 09:00 - 12:15 | Vierailukeskus Joki, Lemminkäisenkatu 12B, Turku, Suomi
This morning session Green Transition with New Way of Thinking brings together innovators, students, and academic experts for this unique competition and pitching event focusing on harnessing technology for environmentally sustainable future in maritime and logistics.

9.00 Opening Remarks

Ulla Keino, President, CEO and a founder of the Intelligence Hunt Concept
Markku Mylly, SVP Safety and Security, SeaFocus

9.05 From Start-up to a Successful Up-and-Running Business

Captain Henrik Ramm-Schmidt, CEO and Founder, NauticAi Ltd

9.35 Six minutes Pitching

Presentation of the case assignment solutions in six minute/each by the student finalists.
NOTE! You can also participate remotely!
Opening the online poll for voting.

10.35 Networking and Counting the Votes

Future collaboration possibilities and creating the excitement on stands with companies willing to support the concept award.
Our evaluation committee will give their votes. Online votes will be calculated.

11.30 Announcement of the Winner in the Student Segment

11.45 Announcement of the Winner in the Start-Up Segment

12.00 Award Ceremony

12.15 End of the Programme
Further information and registration: 8.4. Start-ups:Students

WTC & EEN afternoon: Expand your business to DACH region
2025-04-09 14:00 - 16:00 | Business Turku, Tykistökatu 4, Turku, 20520, Finland
Please note that this event is in English.
Expand Your Business to the DACH Region – Why Austria is the Ideal Gateway
Are you considering expanding your business to the German-speaking markets with over 100 million potential customers? Austria offers an excellent starting point, combining strong innovation in ICT, Tech & Mobility, Green Tech, and Life Sciences with a business-friendly environment and attractive public funding opportunities. Its central location and well-established cross-border trade networks make market entry smooth and efficient.
We invite Finnish companies to explore how Austria can support your international growth. Hear from experts, learn from real success stories, and get practical insights on market opportunities.

Event information:
WHAT: WTC & EEN afternoon: Expand your business to DACH region
WHERE: Business Turku, Tykistökatu 4, 20520 Turku
WHEN: Wednesday, 9.4.2025 at 14.00-16.00

Program:
14.00 Welcome WTC & EEN
14.10 Presentations

Welcome words, Johannes Axnix, Präsident, Handelskammer Finnland Österreich, FINNCHAM Austria
Discover Austria: A Thriving Business Hub in the Heart of Europe, Gerlinde Gahleitner, Director, Austrian Business Agency-Invest in Austria
Vienna – Your Gateway to 190 million Customers, Jan Riepl, Regional Manager, Vienna Business Agency
Testimonial – Nurminen Logistics, Zeyba Agalarova, Business Development, Vienna

15.30 Networking with coffee
16.00 End of the event

The event is organized in cooperation with Austria Business Agency and Vienna Business Agency.
The event is free of charge but requires registration via this link.

Akateeminen & WTC Book Club meeting April
2025-04-23 15:00 - 16:30 | Akateeminen Store, Yliopistonkatu 27, Turku, 20100, Suomi
This event is in English.
The next Akateeminen & WTC Turku Book Club meeting is on Wednesday, 23rd April at 15.00. As previously, we’ll meet at the Akateeminen store in Turku (Yliopistonkatu 27, 20100 Turku).
WHAT: Akateeminen & WTC Turku Book Club
WHEN: Wednesday 23.4.2025
WHERE: Akateeminen, Yliopistonkatu 27, 20100 Turku
In our last meeting, the group seleceted the book we’ll be discussing next and we’re reading Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. The book is available for purchase at the Akateeminen Turku store.
These are the other books we considered:

Think Like a Monk

The Anxious Generation

Your Pocket Therapist

Don’t forget that during the book club meeting at the store, Akateeminen offers the participants a 20% discount on books, stationery and artists’ supplies.
The book club meetings are in English and most books we’ll read will be mostly available only in English.
And as always, the meeting is of course free of charge and open to everyone. Just register by clicking here so that we know you’re joining us!

Clarity = Growth
2025-05-22 15:30 - 16:30 | Business Turku, Tykistökatu 4, Turku, 20520, Finland
Clarity = Growth: A keynote about customer experience by Tuija Seipell
Thursday 22.5.2025 at 15:30-16:30
Business Turku, Tykistökatu 4 B (ElectroCity), Turku

Business Turku and WTC Turku have a pleasure to host Tuija Seipell’s keynote “Clarity = Growth”:

Complicated and confusing is easy; clear and simple is difficult. Yet sustained growth requires clarity in all aspects of the business – especially in customer experience, both B2B & B2C. Tuija’s presentation highlights thought-provoking examples and insights that drive real change – not just awareness and understanding, but actual behavioural transformation.

Tuija Seipell (www.tuijaseipell.com) is a Canadian keynote speaker, business advisor and editor. She was born and educated in Finland but has lived in North America for the past 40 years, the last 33 of them in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She works globally, but mostly in Europe and North America. She’s a passionate advocate of customer experience and emphasizes the crucial role of emotions in business. She speaks and conducts workshops also on branding, strategy, leadership, trends, creativity, and storytelling as a business tool.

Tuija’s clients include diverse global and multinational organizations, such as Harley Davidson, Nike and Europarc Federation, as well as cities and other government entities, but also medium-size and smaller organizations including startups. For the past almost 20 years, she was also the editor of The Cool Hunter (www.thecoolhunter.net), one of the world’s oldest and most widely read online publications about design, architecture and experience, followed during her editorship by more than 1.5 million readers each month.

We warmly welcome you to join us for an inspiring event on customer experience! The event is free of charge, but requires advance registration here: REGISTER.

Setting Up in the USA: an introduction to practical business, tax, and immigration legal matters
2025-05-27 09:00 - 10:45 | Business Turku, Tykistökatu 4, Turku, 20520, Finland
Historically, the United States has represented one of the world’s most business-friendly environments. International companies seeking to grow beyond their home markets have looked to expansion in the United States as an excellent way to grow their businesses and customer bases. But setting up operations in the United States is not as easy as one might expect. There are important cultural and legal differences between Finland and the United States that must be considered as part of the decision-making process leading up to the start of operations in the United States.
This is a symposium for anyone interested in the basic considerations a company or an entrepreneur would need to take before entirely moving operations to the United States or establishing a subsidiary office in the United States. With the current political climate in the United States, the calculus for considering a US office may have changed. Furthermore the US immigration system is notoriously opaque, and so incorporating an immigration strategy for executives, managers, specialized knowledge workers, or specialty occupation workers must be factored into considerations related to entry into the US market.
Program:
9.00 Welcome words WTC Turku
9.05 International Employment Situations from the Perspective of Taxation and Employer Obligations

What factors determine taxation of salary in international employment situations?
Does the employer have any specific obligations when an employee is working abroad?
What should be taken into account regarding pensions and social security?

9.25 Setting up in the USA

State legislation vs Federal legislation
Immigration law
Being an employee in the USA
How to set up operations in the USA

10.15 Q&A, coffee and networking
10.45 Event ends
The event is open to everyone and free of charge, but please let us know that you’re joining by registering here.
Speakers:
Attorney Alex Isbell has been practicing US immigration law exclusively for 20 years and a core part of his practice is advising entrepreneurs and companies seeking to move people and operations to the United States. Working with Business Turku, Turunkauppakamari and Asianajotoimisto Edelle, he will provide interested parties with an overview of critical aspects of the business entity creation process in the United States, the importance of seeking accounting and taxation advice during the process of considering a move to the US, and of course the primary immigration channels that would be used to turn an idea about a US presence into the reality of a US presence.
Ronja Jokinen assists Edelle’s clients particularly with assignments related to tax and corporate law, as well as the execution of corporate restructuring. In addition, Ronja has previous experience in matters such as tax and social security issues related to international employee mobility, employer obligations, and family and inheritance law.
Krista Siro has acted as an advisor in numerous domestic and international mergers and acquisitions. Her role in an M&A transaction often begins already at the letter of intent negotiation stage and continues until the deal is successfully completed. Krista advises clients on a wide range of issues related to corporate restructuring and drafts documents required for mergers and demergers, among other things. She especially enjoys handling assignments with an international dimension. Krista drafts various international agreements, such as distribution, agency, procurement/sales, and non-disclosure agreements.

WTC & EEN afternoon: Spanish market
2025-06-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Vierailukeskus Joki, Lemminkäisenkatu 12B, Turku, Suomi
Join us for an afternoon focusing on Spain and how to expand your business to this market. The event is meant for everyone who is interested in learning more about the Spanish business landscape and is considering starting business operations in Spain.
WHAT: WTC & EEN Afternoon: Spanish market
WHERE: Visitor and Innovation Center Joki, Lemminkäisenkatu 12 B, 20520 Turku
WHEN: Tuesday 10th June, 14.00 – 16.00
PROGRAM:
14.00 Welcome by WTC Turku & Enterprise Europe Network (EEN)
14.10 Presentations

Starting Up, Setting Up and Rising Up in Spain, José Nuño García, Economic and Commercial Counselor at Spanish Embassy in Finland
Growth Without Guesswork: Talenom’s Guide to Spanish Market Entry, Anton Grönholm, Talenom

15.30 Coffee and networking
16.00 Event ends
The event is open for everyone and free of charge, but requires an advance registration here: REGISTER.

Akateeminen & WTC Turku Book Club meeting August
2025-08-19 15:00 - 16:30 | Akateeminen Store, Yliopistonkatu 27, Turku, 20100, Suomi
The August Akateeminen & WTC Turku Book Club meeting is on Tuesday, 19th August at 15.00. As previously, we’ll meet at the Akateeminen store in Turku (Yliopistonkatu 27, 20100 Turku).
WHAT: Akateeminen & WTC Turku Book Club
WHEN: Tuesday 19.8.2025
WHERE: Akateeminen, Yliopistonkatu 27, 20100 Turku
In our last meeting, the group seleceted the book we’ll be discussing next and we’re reading Moral Ambition by Rutger Bregman. The book is available for purchase at the Akateeminen Turku store.
Don’t forget that during the book club meeting at the store, Akateeminen offers the participants a 20% discount on books, stationery and artists’ supplies.
The book club meetings are in English and most books we’ll read will be mostly available only in English.
And as always, the meeting is of course free of charge and open to everyone. Please just let us know in advance that you’re joining us by registering here.

WTC & EEN morning: Singapore market
2025-08-26 09:00 - 11:00 | Business Turku, Tykistökatu 4, Turku, 20520, Finland
Join us for a morning focusing on Singapore and how to expand your business to this market. The event is meant for everyone who is interested in learning more about the Singapore business landscape and is considering starting business operations in Singapore.

WHAT: WTC & EEN morning: Singapore market
WHERE: Business Turku, Tykistökatu 4B, 20520 Turku
WHEN: Tuesday 26th August, 9.00 – 11.00

PROGRAM:
9.00 Welcome words by WTC Turku & Enterprise Europe Network (EEN)
9.10 Presentations

Business Opportunities in Singapore, Ms. Irma Ylikangas, Counsellor, Innovation and Trade Affairs, Embassy of Finland, Singapore

Nexus of High-Growth, Stability and Innovation: Singapore as the Gateway to Southeast Asia, Mr Andy Lua Regional Director, Europe (Nordics), International Operations, Singapore Economic Development Board

10.15 Q&A
10.30 Coffee and networking
11.00 Event ends

The event is open for everyone and free of charge, but requires an advance registration here: REGISTER.

Webinar: Business Opportunities in the USA and Canada
2025-10-08 10:00 - 10:45 | Online
Join us for a quick webinar on business opportunities in the US and Canada. Both countries are open for business and offer a lot of opportunities for Finnish companies. We will hear how to tackle the current tariff situation in the US, and what kind of practical and cultural issues there are about entering those two markets. As speakers, we welcome the international experts from WTC Turku partner Columdae.
– Welcome and Introduction of Columdae by Claudio Pellegatta, Columdae Senior Expert and Account Manager (5 mins)
– Current business opportunities, challenges, business culture, and market approach in the US and Canada by Kari Mäkeläinen, Columdae Senior Consultant (15 mins)
– Columdae’s services in the US and Canada: direct customer search, partner search, market research, trade show scouting by Claudio Pellegatta (10 mins)
– Q&A (10 mins)
Columdae expert speakers will cover the current tariff situation in the US, and share practical insights into market entry – from cultural considerations to hands-on strategies that work in North America.
The webinar is open for everyone but requires advance registration here.

Akateeminen & WTC Turku Book Club meeting October
2025-10-09 15:00 - 16:30 | Akateeminen Store, Yliopistonkatu 27, Turku, 20100, Suomi
The October Akateeminen & WTC Turku Book Club meeting is on Tuesday, 19th August at 15.00. As previously, we’ll meet at the Akateeminen store in Turku (Yliopistonkatu 27, 20100 Turku).
WHAT: Akateeminen & WTC Turku Book Club
WHEN: Thursday 9.10.2025
WHERE: Akateeminen, Yliopistonkatu 27, 20100 Turku
In our last meeting, the group seleceted the book we’ll be discussing next and we’re reading Unstressable by Mo Gawdat and Amy Law. The book is available for purchase at the Akateeminen Turku store.
Don’t forget that during the book club meeting at the store, Akateeminen offers the participants a 20% discount on books, stationery and artists’ supplies.
The book club meetings are in English and most books we’ll read will be mostly available only in English.
And as always, the meeting is of course free of charge and open to everyone. Please just let us know in advance that you’re joining us by registering here.

Driving Resilience for SMEs: Supply Chain and Transportation
2025-11-05 15:00 - 17:00 | Online
We are pleased to announce a free webinar which will be especially relevant for the European WTCs and their SMEs business networks.
Driving Resilience for Small & Medium Firms: Expert Insights and Solutions in Supply Chain and Transportation

November 5th, 2025
14:00 -16:00 (CET), which is 15:00 -17:00 Finland time
Online Zoom Webinar

In the spotlight:
‘RESC4EU’ Project, a European initiative aimed at helping SMEs build supply chains that are both resilient and sustainable.
The project involves 10 partners from seven countries: Germany, Latvia, Poland, Ireland, Spain, Austria, and Norway.
Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (Bremen, Germany) and Fraunhofer IGCV play a central role in developing the digital tools that underpin RESC4EU’s support for SMEs.
RESC4EU supports SMEs across 14 key industrial sectors, including agri-food, textile, renewable energy, cultural and creative industries, mobility and automotive, health, digital, electronics, retail, tourism, energy-intensive industries, aerospace and defence, construction, and civil/cybersecurity.
All services within the Project are offered free of charge and fall into three main categories:

Assessments – Tools to evaluate a company’s supply chain structure and digital readiness.
Digital Tools
Training & Networking

Speakers:

Keynote: Dr. Piotr Warmbier, Expert in Risk Analysis & Management for Sustainable Supply Chains, BMW Group
Representatives of the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics; Fraunhofer IGCV; School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society

Participation: Free of charge (prior registration is obligatory)
Registration link: https://umfrage.wfb-bremen.de/index.php/519938?lang=en
After successful registration, one will receive a confirmation email with a link to the webinar.

Webinar: Infectious Disease Diagnostics in Namibia and Southern Africa – Markets, Needs, and Funding Opportunities
2025-11-12 09:00 - 10:30 | Online
Date: 12 November 2025
Time: 9:00–10:30 (EET)
Location: Online (Teams)
Welcome to explore the opportunities Namibia and Southern Africa offer in the field of infectious disease diagnostics.
This webinar will highlight the region’s most acute diagnostic needs and share practical insights from Kalervo Väänänen’s work in Namibia. A new Finnish cultural and science institute, the Finnish Southern Africa Cooperation Institute (FSAI), was recently established in Namibia. The institute’s growing local network helps identify trusted collaboration partners. In addition, Finnpartnership offers funding opportunities for long-term cooperation and pilot projects.
The event is free of charge but requires registration.
Agenda:
Opening words
WTC Turku, Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) & Women’s Health Hub Finland
Diagnostic needs and opportunities in Namibia and Southern Africa
Kalervo Väänänen, Chair of the Board, FSAI
Finnpartnership’s funding opportunities for international collaboration
Jessica Lehdonvirta, Program Officer, Finnpartnership
Q&A – discussion and questions
Summary and next steps
Tailored Finnpartnership funding consultations for companies
A diagnostics-themed event in Namibia next spring
Organizers:
Finnpartnership, Finnish Southern Africa Cooperation Institute (FSAI), Enterprise Europe Network, WTC Turku, and Women’s Health Hub Finland

Akateeminen & WTC Turku Book Club meeting November
2025-11-20 15:00 - 16:30 | Akateeminen Store, Yliopistonkatu 27, Turku, 20100, Suomi
The November Akateeminen & WTC Turku Book Club meeting is on Thursday, 20th November at 15.00. As previously, we’ll meet at the Akateeminen store in Turku (Yliopistonkatu 27, 20100 Turku).
WHAT: Akateeminen & WTC Turku Book Club
WHEN: Thursday 20.11.2025
WHERE: Akateeminen, Yliopistonkatu 27, 20100 Turku
In our last meeting, the group seleceted the book we’ll be discussing next and we’re reading Africonomics – A History of Western Ignorance Bronwen Everill. The book is available for purchase at the Akateeminen Turku store.
Don’t forget that during the book club meeting at the store, Akateeminen offers the participants a 20% discount on books, stationery and artists’ supplies.
The book club meetings are in English and most books we’ll read will be mostly available only in English.
And as always, the meeting is of course free of charge and open to everyone. Please just let us know in advance that you’re joining us by registering here.
