Hong Kong–Tampere Afternoon: Business in Motion

A Slush Week Business Side Event in Tampere City

What happens when Hong Kong meets Tampere? Business starts moving.

During Slush Week, we are bringing the Hong Kong business and innovation ecosystem to Tampere for an afternoon of market insights, company showcases and new connections.

Meet representatives from HKSTP, HKTDC and InvestHK, alongside tech companies travelling from Hong Kong to Tampere — and connect with Nordic companies, innovators and business leaders interested in international growth.

Hear first-hand insights from Timo Kantola, former Consul General of Finland in Hong Kong, who recently concluded his posting. Drawing on his direct experience of Hong Kong and its business environment, he will share practical tips and perspectives with Finnish companies — followed by an opportunity for open discussion and interaction.

Hong Kong also offers a gateway into the Greater Bay Area (GBA) — one of the world’s most dynamic innovation and technology ecosystems. The Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Guangzhou cluster has ranked #1 globally in WIPO’s Innovation Cluster Ranking for two consecutive years, in 2025 and 2026.

This is an opportunity to look beyond the market from a distance — and meet the people who can help you explore it.

What to expect:

• Discover Hong Kong
  Get first-hand insights from HKSTP, HKTDC and InvestHK on the Hong Kong market, business environment and opportunities for Nordic companies.
• Connect with the GBA
  Explore how Hong Kong can serve as a bridge to the wider Greater Bay Area — connecting companies with one of the world’s leading innovation clusters.
• Turn opportunities into action
  Learn how the EU-funded Leap4Growth project can provide practical support for Central Baltic SMEs growing in Hong Kong and the GBA.
• Meet companies from both sides
  Hear from Nordic and Hong Kong companies about technologies, business cases and opportunities for collaboration.
• Make new connections
  From 14:30 onwards, stay for informal networking with Hong Kong and Nordic companies, ecosystem organisations and other guests.

Programme

12:30–12:40 | Welcome & Opening
Kick off the afternoon as Hong Kong meets Tampere during Slush Week.

12:40–13:00 | Hong Kong & the Greater Bay Area: Market Opportunities
Hear from HKSTP about Hong Kong, the GBA and the opportunities waiting for Finnish companies.
Gary Kwong, Senior Manager, Key Sector Accounts, Startup Ecosystem

13:00–13:15 | Hong Kong from the Front Line
Timo Kantola, former Consul General of Finland in Hong Kong, shares practical insights and first-hand perspectives from his recent posting

13:15–13:30 | Leap4Growth: From Opportunity to Action
Discover how the EU-funded Leap4Growth project can help Finnish companies turn market interest into concrete business opportunities in Hong Kong and the GBA.

13:30–14:30 | Company Showcase: Hong Kong Meets Tampere
Meet tech companies travelling from Hong Kong and hear from Finnish companies about their international ambitions, experience, and opportunities for collaboration.

• Company 1: LeafIoT
• Company 2: HK LEADUS
• Company 3: Jana Energy
• Company 4: Flowmedik

14:30–15:00 | Networking & Business Exchange
Now it’s your turn. Meet new people, continue the conversations and explore where Hong Kong and Tampere could take your business next.

15:00–15:30 | Final Conversations & Departure
One last chance to connect before we wrap up at 15:30.

Backed by:

• Business Tampere
  EU-funded Leap4Growth project
• Hong Kong Delegation & Ecosystem Partners
• HKSTP | HKTDC | InvestHK | Hong Kong tech companies

Come with questions. Meet the ecosystem. Find your next opportunity.