28.1.2027 University Business Forum 2027
University Business Forum 2027 embraces entrepreneurship in its broadest sense: as the ability to recognize opportunities, turn knowledge into action, build solutions and create value for society. Through the theme Entrepreneurship 360°, UBF2027 explores the qualities that turn ideas into impact: Curiosity, Courage and Change.
Universities are increasingly expected to create societal impact, foster collaboration with industry, and turn research into tangible solutions, innovations and new ventures. At the same time, working life calls for entrepreneurial capabilities from everyone: students, professionals, professors, pioneers, teachers and researchers alike. How do we cultivate the Curiosity to see opportunities, the Courage to act on them, and the ability to turn action into meaningful Change?
Join us for rediscovering and redefining entrepreneurship. UBF2027 is an experience filled with entrepreneurial inspiration, networking, latest research and collaboration opportunities.
This half-day event is free of charge. The language of the event is English.
When and where?
Thu 28.01.2027 at 8:30-13
Saalasti Hall, Linnanmaa campus
Preliminary program
08:30-09:00 Coffee, registration and networking
09:00-10:45 Presentations on university's new business ideas at Saalasti Hall
Petteri Alahuhta, Vice Rector for Cooperation
Zach Shelby, Serial founder, investor, advisor
Veera Tapionkaski, Founder & CEO building Zun-H
Mika Nevalainen, Professor, Radiologist, Founder of Oulun Ultra
More to come
10:45-11:00 Moving to Tellus, coffee
11:00-12:00 Thematic sessions, which bring relevant competences and research as well as success stories forward from the University of Oulu and its stakeholders. More info coming soon!
Session 1: Entrepreneurship for everyone: from entrepreneurship education to work life and business skills
Session 2: Professional entrepreneurship: exploring entrepreneurship among experts and professionals
Session 3: Research to business: creating value from research
Session 4: Entrepreneur, you’re not alone: finding support for you
12:00-13:00 Keep the discussion going! Lunch at Saalasti Hall
UBF is the University of Oulu’s main event for industry–university collaboration and is now being organized for the 8th time. The event has annually attracted around 150–250 participants on-site at the Linnanmaa campus. In recent years, over one-third of the participants have come from the university, another third from companies, and the rest from the public sector.
Previous speakers have included, for example, professional board member Kaisa Hietala, Juha Vidgrén (Ponsse), Sari Heinonen (OP, now at LähiTapiola), Katarina Segerståhl (Aava, now running her own consultancy), Markku Heikura (Finnish Tax Administration), Subho Mukherjee (Nokia), and Sasu Tarkoma (Helsingin yliopisto).