Maria 01

Can machines make us more human? AI can enhance deeply human capabilities like empathy and collaboration - it can even support human-to-human interactions and teamwork. At first, we thought AI would do the mundane, repetitive tasks for us, leaving the creative thinking to humans. But then it took over creativity, and finally empathy and collaboration as well. Are there any capabilities AI could never replace? Will it replace humans completely? AI can support leaders in decision-making, empowering them to reflect, challenge their beliefs, identify biases, and weigh decisions against their core values. Yet, AI will never have its own desires or values. It cannot make decisions independently—or, ethically, it shouldn’t. Beyond technical capabilities, futures consciousness and the ability to adapt and innovate will set the standard for future resilience. AI’s influence extends far beyond business—it’s reshaping society. That’s why responsible innovation and open public conversations are essential. How will we address technology’s ethical boundaries and the societal values it should uphold? European companies are uniquely positioned to lead in ethical AI, human-centered design, and inclusive innovation. But with this responsibility comes a need for introspective discussions on our shared futures and priorities. These are some of the powerful topics we covered last week with Lauri Paloheimo, Chris Petrie, Jaakko Kaikuluoma and Sarita Runeberg, in the first-ever podcast by Maria 01. Inspired by the conversation, I’ve written a blog post to synthesize our discussion and the background research: ✨The Future of Work and Human-AI Collaboration: Will AI Replace or Enhance Human Potential? ✨ Let’s build a future where technology supports what makes us human, rather than replaces it. 👉 Dive into our new series of blogs and podcasts to uncover more insights. Links in the comments! #AI #Foresight #FutureOfWork #HumanAICollaboration #Maria01 #FuturesConsciousness #Innovation #Startups #Resilience

✨Maria 01 members are in the spotlight again! Two trailblazing companies, Innomost and Megical (hightrust.id) have captured recent headlines for their innovative solutions. 🚀Innomost is pioneering sustainable materials by turning birch bark, a common industrial byproduct, into eco-friendly raw ingredients for products like cosmetics, paints, and adhesives. With rising demand for green alternatives, they’re partnering with major cosmetic brands to help replace plastic and petroleum-based components. Led by seasoned CEO Tiina Bensky, Innomost is primed for growth as industries embrace sustainable solutions. 🌱 🚀On the tech front, Megical has launched hightrust.id, a bank-independent authentication tool for secure access to services like Suomi .fi, Kela, and Verohallinto. This innovative solution lets users access digital services by loading an official ID onto a smartphone, removing the need for additional devices. Approved by Liikenne- ja viestintävirasto Traficom / Transport- och kommunikationsverket Traficom, hightrust.id is also available at no cost—a fantastic alternative for secure, mobile-based authentication. Links to the news articles can be found in the comments section! 👇 #Megical #Innomost #Maria01 #innovation #Startup #StartupCommunity #Impact

✨ Maria 01 Monthly Recap — October ✨ October was filled with exciting events and remarkable achievements for our community! Here’s a look back at some of the highlights from the past month at Maria 01: ⚡ We were thrilled to host the Maria 365 Startup Showcase and Afterparty! The event brought together startups, investors, and community members for a day of inspiring pitches, networking, and collaboration. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and made it an unforgettable experience. ⚡ We also launched our podcast, "M01 Rocketeers"! You can already explore the first episode. Stay tuned for more! ⚡ We welcomed 9 new startups into our growing ecosystem, each bringing innovative ideas and fresh perspectives. ⚡ Congratulations to Swarmia for being recognized as one of The Hottest Startups in Helsinki 2024 by WIRED Their software engineering intelligence platform is making waves in the industry. ⚡ We’re proud to celebrate DataCrunch.io on raising a $13M Seed round to create Europe’s first AI cloud hyperscaler powered by renewable energy, leading the way for a sustainable tech future. ⚡ Kudos to Megical for their recent milestone, as their Hightrust ID solution joins Finland’s official electronic identification ecosystem. ⚡We had the honor of hosting delegations from Japan, Hungary, China, and Finland, strengthening our global partnerships and expanding opportunities for our community. 🎃 Finally, we wrapped up the month with a Halloween-themed Afterwork, featuring thrilling startup horror stories from our members! Want to keep up with the latest news from Maria 01? 📬 Subscribe to our newsletter for monthly updates, events, and member highlights – link in the comments!

🌟 Slush is just around the corner, and we're gearing up with some exciting plans! 🍵Next week, we’re hosting a Community Breakfast to share insider tips on how to make the most of Slush! The morning kicks off with insights from Noora Saksa, COO and CFO at Slush, sharing her top strategies for navigating the event. Joining Noora for a lively panel discussion will be William Hammersley, Co-Founder & COO at Supersight, and Kimmo Irpola, Partner at Trind Ventures. Don’t miss this chance to learn how to make impactful connections, pitch with confidence, and maximize Slush for your startup’s success! Register via the link in the comments! 🚀 Maria 01 will also be at Slush! If you're a startup, an investor seeking new opportunities, or simply curious about our work, book a meeting or drop by our booth to connect. Find more details on our Slush page—link in the comments. 📢 Joining us at the Maria 01 booth will be these innovative startups: AIATELLA, eMabler, Open EV Charging Platform, FlockIn Oy, Flow Computing, Fundis Application, Narvi Payments, and Saidot. #Slush #CommunityBreakfast #PanelDiscussion #Maria01 #StartupCommunity #Event

🎙️ Maria 01 Launches Its First Podcast: M01 Rocketeers! 🎙️ Ever wondered how the brightest minds in the startup scene envision the future? In our new Futures Tales series, we dive into the cutting-edge world of emerging tech and visionary ideas, exploring intriguing future scenarios and discussing the paths ahead. What we do today shapes tomorrow. And how we imagine the future influences our actions in the present. By exploring possible futures we expand our futures consciousness—the ability to understand, anticipate, and engage with potential futures. This mindset empowers us to see our role in creating change and prepare for what lies ahead. Engaging diverse voices in the futures dialogue is essential. Startups are uniquely positioned to tackle the world’s biggest challenges, making them true agents of change. In our first episode, we dive into the Future of Work: How will humans and machines collaborate? Could an AI twin simplify the busy lives of startup founders? Is retraining essential, and can AI support us in that journey? And what distinct human qualities will remain irreplaceable? 🌟Our guests for this episode are: 🚀Jaakko Kaikuluoma, CEO & Co-founder at Teamspective⁠. Teamspective is a solution for organizational performance management in three domains: employee engagement, performance management and collaboration. 🚀Chris Petrie, CEO & Co-Founder at Kwizie.ai. Kwizie is the best tool for creating gamified quiz tests from video with AI. 🚀Lauri Paloheimo, Co-Founder & Head of Change at Pandatron⁠⁠. Pandatron is a leader in AI-driven coaching and change management, providing innovative, personalized support to organizations. You can find links to Spotify and YouTube in the comments. Join us as we embark on a journey to explore the possible, plausible, and preferable futures! ✨ #Maria01 #podcast #FuturesTales #FuturesConsciousness #FuturesDialogue #StrategicForesight #StartupCommunity

Slush 2024 is right around the corner, and we’re excited to help you make the most of it! Join us on November 6 at Maria 01 for an exclusive Community Breakfast: Slush Insider Tips. Noora Saksa, COO & CFO at Slush, will open the morning with invaluable insights on boosting your Slush experience. The event will then continue with a panel featuring: - Noora Saksa, COO & CFO at Slush - William Hammersley Co-Founder & COO at Supersight - Kimmo Irpola, Partner at Trind Ventures Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or startup enthusiast, this breakfast is an invaluable chance to gain insight, connect with the Maria 01 community, and meet other professionals across the startup ecosystem. Mark your calendar, and let’s make Slush 2024 your most productive yet! Register via the link in the comments. #Maria01 #Slush2024 #Community

At Maria 01, we believe the sky's the limit for ambitious startups, and our members continue to reach new heights! We’re incredibly proud to highlight two of our amazing members, whose recent achievements have caught the spotlight: DataCrunch.io and Swarmia! 🌟 Swarmia has been recognized as one of the WIRED hottest startups in Helsinki! Their innovative approach and dedication to driving progress in software development have earned them a well-deserved spot on this prestigious list. 💡 DataCrunch has just secured significant funding and was featured in TechCrunch for their ambitious vision of becoming Europe’s first AI cloud hyperscaler powered by renewable energy. This funding marks a huge milestone in their journey to transform AI infrastructure across the continent. Links to the articles can be found in the comments below 👇 Congratulations to both teams—we can’t wait to see what’s next! 👏 At Maria 01, we’re thrilled to see our community members reaching new heights and pushing boundaries in their respective fields. 🚀 These achievements are a testament to the incredible talent and innovation that thrive within our ecosystem. #Maria01 #StartupSuccess #HelsinkiStartups #Innovation

With significant shifts on the horizon for Tesi's investment strategies, the potential impacts on Finland's startup scene cannot be overlooked. Thank you, Talouselämä and Sanna Pekkonen, for shining a light on this crucial topic and giving us the opportunity to share our perspectives and concerns. As Tesi plans to radically reshape its investment activities, we recognize some positive steps but also significant concerns that could impact Finland’s thriving startup ecosystem. Here are the three key challenges: 🚀 Decreased Early-Stage Investment: The proposed changes risk reducing the number of early-stage investors in Finland, making it harder for new investment funds to emerge. Early-stage investments are vital to a dynamic startup ecosystem, and it’s crucial to maintain stability and predictability in the funding landscape. 🌱 Lack of Dedicated Funding for Green Transition: Without a designated funding share for green transition investments, there’s a risk that the volume of such investments will decline. To position Finland as a leader in green technology and innovation, we must ensure adequate investment flows into this sector. 🌍 International Growth Requires Expertise: Global expansion is essential for Finnish startups, and it demands networks and expertise. While local investors have traditionally offered this support, the same cannot be assumed of state-backed investors. We must bolster our startups’ ability to scale internationally with all possible support. At Maria 01, we believe in safeguarding the strength and diversity of Finland’s startup scene. Let’s work together to ensure a sustainable future for Finnish innovation! 💡 #FinlandStartups #Investment #GreenTransition #InternationalGrowth #VC https://hubs.la/Q02V437H0

📢 Exciting opportunity alert: We’re looking for a Partner Account Manager to join our team! Apply via the link in the comments 👇 #StartupJobs #Hiring #OpenPosition #Partnerships #Maria01

🚀 Why should startups prioritize PR when expanding internationally? 🌍 In our latest blog, we bring you valuable insights and tips from industry leaders, gathered at a recent Maria 01 Community Breakfast event featuring Salli Leinonen, Mari-Leena Kuosa and Malathy Eskola. They offered expertise on how startups can leverage PR as a powerful tool for sustainable growth and successful market entry. As startups set their sights on new markets, it’s easy to focus solely on product development or sales and marketing strategies. But without the right visibility, even the most innovative solutions can struggle to gain traction. This is where PR comes in. A well-crafted PR strategy not only amplifies your story but also builds credibility and trust with new audiences. It helps you position your brand, attract investors, and foster relationships with key industry players. In a global market, these connections can make all the difference between thriving and getting lost in the crowd. ✨ You can find the blog link in the comments 👇 #PR #journalism #media #startup #StartupEcosystem #Maria01 #StartupEvent