Our Program
Polar Bear Pitching Day Conference
Start your Polar Bear Pitching day with a deep dive into growth and innovation at our Day Conference! We have secured local and international speakers to bring you a program with invaluable insights.
With a very special edition for Oulu2026, our Day Conference topic ”Cultural Capital in Startup Growth” will be dedicated to exploring the role of culture and creativity in startup growth.
During the Day Conference you will also have the opportunity to book meetings with other participants through our matchmaking tool and have a big lunch break for additional networking.
Avanto Competition is open to public for Oulu2026!
Watch the selected contestants show their determination to the whole world by getting into the Avanto (fin. ”ice hole”) and pitching their startup.
Polar Bear Pitching Afterparty
After seeing startup entrepreneurs get into the Avanto to pitch in front of the investors all the formal social norms of doing business are shattered! Polar Bear Pitching Afterparty is the culmination of the day, where you can truly celebrate the innovation. Music, karaoke and entertainment will warm you up after the freezing experience and set you up for good networking to wrap up the day.
This year, learn air guitar from last year’s winner, Aapo Rautio on stage and enjoy Deborah Jones performing her original song Queens and Kings.
Polar Bear Pitching Side Events
Polar Bear Pitching week is filled with free side events providing many opportunities to explore the local ecosystem! Make sure to book your travel accordingly and make it to all of them.