This document describes the growth of Slush, an annual startup event in Finland, from a small local gathering to a major international conference. It notes that Slush helped change perceptions of Finland and attracted high-level political figures. The document then discusses plans to launch a similar event in Japan called Slush Tokyo, with the goals of making it a global, open, and cool event that could help excite Japan about startups and brighten the country's future.

1. Something amazing is happening in Japan

2. I came to Japan in 2013

3. …and saw this

5. I was surprised, because I was
used to this…

7. 2008 – 2010
“What if Finnish entrepreneurs
gathered yearly?”

8. Slushy, very small
warm and cozy …

9. … but the right
people were
there already.

10. • Finnish attendees: 300
• International: 0
• Investments: 0

11. Talkoo spirit - 結（ゆい）
Building something for the
community pro bono

12. 2011 – 2012
Students start running Slush
“Let’s call international VCs”

16. PRIME MINISTER OF FINLAND JOINS

17. • 3500 attendees
• 560 startups
• 47 VC funds
• Many foreign VCs invested!

18. 2013 – 2014
Let’s make VCs and startups meet each
other!

22. PM FINLAND WEARS HOODIE ON STAGE

23. VICE PREMIER OF CHINA

24. PRESIDENT OF ESTONIA

25. PRIME MINISTER OF UK

26. KING OF SWEDEN

27. RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER

28. SOUTH KOREAN PRIME MINISTER

30. • 14.000 attendees
• 1.400 startups
• 150 VCs
• 690 journalists
Investments in 2013-2014: 280 MEUR!

31. FINLAND HAS CHANGED
… A LOT

34. 2015
“Then what…”

37. Excited people in Tokyo!

38. So why are we doing this?

39. ”Wouldn’t it be great if
Japan would be super
excited about startups?”

41. 1. Global

42. First major all-English
startup event in Japan

44. 2. Open

46. 招待制
VIP area

47. 3. Cool

50. Global
Open
Cool

56. • 3217 attendees
• 250 startups
• 100 investors
• Over 300 journalists

57. Then, other English startup
events start to appear

61. The future of Japan looks bright

62. Thank you!
@asonninen