SIGNATURE
SIDE EVENT
Y Science 2026
Life science innovation and entrepreneurship
Helsinki, Finland, Messukeskus
November 18th 2026
Y Science is an annual event that brings together the curious scientific community and the business world to inspire concrete actions, innovation and contributions to society in the field of life sciences.
"Y Science is one of the best events to get in touch with a diverse set of the top-notch researchers and science-based startups from the Nordics."
— Michael Lütolf, Creathor Ventures
2026 Programme
Stage Programme*
10.30-14.30
Venue 5, Siipi, Messukeskus
10:30 - 10:45 Opening
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TBC
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10:45 - 11:57 Health & Pharma
Host: Eeva Siika-aho - CEO, Think Company
Talks
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From Underestimated Science to Investable Companies: The Women´s Health Opportunity
Anastasyia Markvarde - Head of EIR Accelerator and Women´s Health Advocate
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Roche Fireside Chat
Lisa Slater - General Manager, Roche Finland
Gustav Henriksson - Head of Swiss Business Hub Nordics, Switzerland Global Enterprise
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Orion Veturi
Tim Holmström - Director Target Science, Orion Corporation
Pharma Pitching Competition
Teams
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TrueScreen - Otto Kari
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Switchpoint Bio - Samuel Myllykangas
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Visienco - Edwige Guinet
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LifeGlue - Laura Kuittinen
Jury
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Marko Kuisma - Partner, Innovestor Life Science
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Pascale Dychter - Deputy Head of Mission and Science Counselor, Embassy of Switzerland in Denmark
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Jenni Bernoulli - Director Strategic Partnerships and R&D, Orion Pharma
Student Pitch
Emma Bourgogne - Aalto-Helsinki iGEM team
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12:02 - 12:52 Food Systems
Partner Presentation: Laura Forsman - Lead at Viikki Food Design Factory, University of Helsinki
Host: Chiara Facciotto, Program Manager - EIT FAN Helsinki Hub at Viikki Design Factory, University of Helsinki
EIT Food Accelerator Network (FAN) - Helsinki Hub Showcase
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Brew Bites - Monika Černiauskaitė
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Grouse Fibre - Shivon Dean
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HOW Pectin - Andrii Shkliar
- MARCO - Lucas Fructus
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Matria Biotechnology - Öykü İrigül Sönmez
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MycoVibes Biotech - Katarzyna Nowak
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Onima - Juan Londono Leon
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PACK AWAY - Nina Lazarczyk-Bilal
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Z1RO - Alexander Sobolenko
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Öseen - Kaisa Aab
Pitch from one of the EIT Food´s RisingFoodStar teams: NoMy - Ingrid Dynna
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12:57 - 13:45 Forest and Nature Tech
Host: Mikko Pohjola - Head of Viikki Wood & Forest Innovation Hub, University of Helsinki
Keynote
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TBC
Duncan Mayes
Forest and Nature Tech Pitching Competition
Teams
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NIDO Contech - Loretxu Garcia Arraztoa
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Nucylium - Sabrina Viitasaari
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Multifolia - Evgeny Lopatin
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Lauka Biotech - Mikko Tikkinen
Jury
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Peter Vesterbacka - Entrepreneur and Investor, Former Mighty Eagle of Rovio
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Alina Sippolainen - Accelerator Lead and Ecosystem Advisor, A'Pelago
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Pouria Kay - Founding Partner, Atlan
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Terhi Vapola - Founder and Managing Partner, Creencode VC
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13.50 - 14.20 Science to Business Runway
Host: Avlokita Tiwari - Venture Associate at Helsinki Innovation Services Ltd
Fireside Chat
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From Lab to Startup: What Does it Really Take to Commercialize Research?
Karolina Punovuori - Co-Founder and CEO, MultivisionDx
Avlokita Tiwari - Venture Associate, Helsinki Innovation Services Ltd
R2B Runway Pitches
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TCR-GO - Nesma Ibrahim
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KUDOS Cellular Twins - Minttu Polso
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ReBiont - Tero Puustinen
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DOPAGuard - Tatiana Danilova
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Mitoguarder - Brendan Battersby & Sarah O'Keefe
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IndiviChip - Tiina Sikanen
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14.20 - 14.30 Pitching Competition Awards & Closing
Awarding the winners of the two pitching competitions and closing the event.
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*The programme is subject to change and will be updated accordingly prior to the event.
Please note that there will be a dedicated networking area throughout the event in Venue 6 from 10:30-14:30.
Pitching Competitions
Are you already on the path of turning your discovery into action? Our pitch competitions are for you!
In 2026, Y Science will host two pitching competitions:
All finalists will receive pitch training from experienced communication specialists before the event, as well as a ticket to attend Slush and the opportunity to showcase their idea to potential investors.
Why (Y) Science
We're here to bring forth the value of science-based business, and encourage scientists to embrace a different way of thinking about impact. Y Science invites all those enthusiastic about life sciences and commercialization of research for a moment of mutual enlightenment.
The event originates from a collaboration between Slush and the University of Helsinki. In 2026, the event is organized by the Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE together with Helsinki Innovation Services Ltd., Orion Pharma, Viikki Food Design Factory, Viikki Wood and Forest Innovation Hub, Luke, and Swissnex.
Y Science is a Signature Side Event at Slush, the biggest startup conference in the Nordics.