Eerika Savolainen
We catch up with Eerika Savolainen, CEO of Slush, a nonprofit aimed at helping founders change the world. We chat about behind-the-scenes operations at Slush, a focus on deep tech, sustainabilty in events, maintaining diversity and inclusivity, and what the future of Slush holds.
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Ahead of Slush’s much-anticipated 2023 edition in Helsinki, Finland, Eerika shared her journey from volunteer to CEO, including the ins-and-outs of running Slush year-round, and her vision for the future of the event.
Leadership Journey: From Volunteer to CEO
Eerika takes us on her journey from stumbling upon Slush during her finance studies to becoming its CEO. A testament to the organic growth and opportunities within the Slush community, Eerika’s trajectory highlights the significance of curiosity and seizing unexpected chances.
Adapting and Innovating: Navigating 2020’s Challenges
Slush faced the daunting challenge of canceling its main event in 2020 due to the pandemic. However, rather than succumbing to setbacks, the team pivoted to launch Node by Slush, an online community for founders. Eerika shares the lessons learned from this experience, showcasing the team’s resilience and adaptability.
Year-Round Commitment: The Inner Workings of Slush
In addition to the main annual event in Helsinki, Slush operates as a year-round endeavor. Eerika sheds light on the continuous efforts of the 48 full-time team members and the 1,600 volunteers, emphasizing Slush’s commitment to maintaining a startup mentality throughout the entire year.
Innovative Platforms: Enhancing the Slush Experience
The evolution of the Slush platform is a fascinating aspect of the conversation. Eerika delves into the growth and key features of the online products, emphasizing the focus on matchmaking improvements, increased meeting capacity, and the extension of features beyond the main event.
Slush 100: Catalyzing Early-Stage Startup Success
Eerika provides insights into the Slush 100 competition, a platform for early-stage startups to connect with leading VCs and investors. The partnership with VCs, the 1 million euro equity investment for the winner, and the exclusive entry for companies founded in 2020 or later underscores Slush’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of startups.
Find Eerika:
- LinkedIn: Eerika Savolainen
- Twitter / X: @eerikasav
Find Ben on:
- LinkedIn: Ben Costantini
- Twitter / X: @bencostantini
