A number of side events will be held together with the World Circular Economy Forum 2019. These side events include networking activities around a specific topic related to the circular economy, or this year’s theme the next era of the circular economy and scaling up the transition. Most of the side events will take place on Wednesday, 5 June in the Helsinki capital area, some already during the forum.

Please note that a registration is necessary to each side event.
The World Circular Economy Event is by invitation only. 

Monday 3 June

Cleantech Venture Day

Cleantech Venture Day is the biggest cleantech investment event in the Nordics. Meet the top Nordic cleantech companies, investors and other key enablers and join us to make your next big deal.

Time: 15.00-19.30
Location: to be confirmed
Organisers: Avanto Ventures, Helsinki Metropolitan Smart & Clean Foundation, City of Helsinki

Tuesday 4 June

Cleantech Venture Day

Cleantech Venture Day is the biggest cleantech investment event in the Nordics. Meet the top Nordic cleantech companies, investors and other key enablers and join us to make your next big deal.

Time: 8.30-17.45
Location: Finlandia Hall, Veranda (Mannerheimintie 13e, 00100 Helsinki)
Organisers: Avanto Ventures, Helsinki Metropolitan Smart & Clean Foundation, City of Helsinki

 

Smart & Clean Pool Party

Come join the conference crowd for a night of music and mingling in Helsinki. The party will be a fun evening of music and mingling, but also offering showcases of the best Smart & Clean solutions from the Helsinki metropolitan area.

Time: 18-21
Location: Allas Sea Pool (Katajanokanlaituri 2a, 00160 Helsinki)
Organiser: Helsinki Metropolitan Smart & Clean Foundation

Wednesday 5 June

Bear’s Den

Six companies will get the chance to pitch and convince our panel of judges about their business plans in the Bear’s Den.  The name Bear’s Den derives from the grilling the companies will receive from our panel, and from you, the audience. The companies will not know in advance the questions they’ll be asked.

*Part of “Circular Forerunners”– a group of WCEF2019 side events focusing on business and financing.

Time: 14.00-15.30 
Location: Klaus K Hotel, Bulevardi 2-4, Helsinki
Organiser: Kasvu Open

 

Boost growth in product manufacturing: 10 reasons why you should sell outcomes instead of products (product–as–a-service model) 

The event is addressed to CEOs and industrial leaders who are driving growth strategies in product manufacturing. Through inspiring case examples and small group discussions we will share experiences about the product–as–a–service business model as a driver for growth. You are warmly welcome to join the event to learn from others and share your own experiences about this transformation that is already disrupting today’s industrial markets. 

*Part of “Circular Forerunners”– a group of WCEF2019 side events focusing on business and financing.

Time: 14.00-16.00 
Location: Klaus K Hotel, Rake-sali, address: Bulevardi 2-4, Helsinki 
Organiser: Kasvuryhmä (Growth Collective Finland)

Circular Economy Development in Eco Industrial Parks 

The main objective of the event is to provide a forum in which to discuss and exchange experiences about developing the Eco Industrial Parks. After a short introductory segment, the focus will be on the international panel together with the presenters and the attendee. 

*Part of “Circular Forerunners”– a group of WCEF2019 side events focusing on business and financing.

Time: 14.00-15.30
Location: Oodi Helsinki Central Library, Töölönlahdenkatu 4, 00100 Helsinki
Organiser: Digipolis Oy 

 

Circular Forerunners Networking

Meet the most interesting Finnish and international companies, investors and other stakeholders working in the circular economy and bioeconomy fields. There is also an opportunity to book meetings via the app in advance and take part in some interesting discussions around the theme tables.  The event is targeted at attendees of all five WCEF2019 side events under the title “Circular Forerunners”.

*Part of “Circular Forerunners”– a group of WCEF2019 side events focusing on business and financing.

Time: 16.00-18.30
Location: Amanda, Etelä-Esplanadi8, Helsinki
Organiser: Business Finland 

 

How to respond to changing consumer needs and move towards circular economy business models

Consumers are demanding that companies be sustainable and move towards a circular economy. This puts pressure on corporations but also opens up possibilities to engage consumers in building new business models. For example, how have Mudjeans and Fjong built their business around consumers’ willingness to participate in circular economy business models? Come and hear real-life stories from those who have already started and spar with our venturing experts on how to get started yourself. 

*Part of “Circular Forerunners”– a group of WCEF2019 side events focusing on business and financing.

Time: 14.00-16.00
Location: Avanto Ventures, Mechelininkatu 3d, 00100 Helsinki
Organiser: Avanto Ventures

 

Sustainable Materials Changing The World

Sustainable materials offer huge business potential for solving global challenges. The networking afternoon showcases Finland’s most promising sustainable materials including innovative bio-based materials that can replace plastics and new solutions for textiles and packaging. You will be able to meet the key people behind these innovations in prearranged one-to-one meetings. This in an exclusive invitation-only networking reception. Please sign up now, as space is limited. 

*Part of “Circular Forerunners”– a group of WCEF2019 side events focusing on business and financing.

Time: 14.00-16.00
Location: Etelä Esplanadi 8, Amanda 
Organiser: Business Finland

 

Circular Economy in Middle East and North Africa

Water scarcity, low oil prices, environmental challenges… The Middle East & North Africa (MENA) is facing various challenges today and is shifting towards a circular economy. It’s time to act! The circular economy is not only a key solution to these challenges, it is also an economic driver that generates jobs for the young population. 

During this official WCEF2019 side event, opportunities and challenges of the circular economy in MENA will be discussed and how the relationship between Finland and MENA can be harnessed. The event is free for Arabian Finnish Business Forum-AFBF members, for non-members the participation fee is 50 Euros. 

Time: 14.00-17.00 
Location: Scandic Seurahuone, Kaivokatu 12, Helsinki (to beconfirmed)
Organiser: Arabian Finnish Business Forum-AFBF ry 

Circular Business Models: from theory to practice

There is increasing acknowledgement that business models are vital to the circular economy. There is growing literature on how new business models can – at least theoretically – promote greater circularity. It is time to put the theory into practice! At this event, leading European research institutes will share their first-hand experience of working with companies to develop and implement circular business models. The audience will participate in discussions on outstanding business innovation needs and challenges, and on how best to collaborate to co-create solutions. 

Time: 9.30–12.30 
Location: Holiday Inn Helsinki City Centre, Elielinaukio 5, 00100 Helsinki
Organiser: ECERA – the European Circular Economy Research Alliance 

 

Digitally Circular Networking Event 

Digitally Circular brings together digital experts, business leaders and circular economy professionals and startups to discuss the future of circular economy. The objective of the meetup is to accelerate circular economy development by connecting people with different backgrounds to communicate and share ideas.

Time: 16.30-19.00
Location: EIT Digital, Aalto Open Innovation House, Maarintie 6, 02150 Espoo, Otaniemi
Organisers: Taival Advisory Oy, EIT Digital, EIT Raw Materials, EIT Climate-KIC and Aalto University

 

 

Thursday 6 June

Improving resource efficiency through industrial symbiosis – Opportunities for SMEs

This event, co-organised by the European Resource Efficiency Knowledge Centre – EREK, seeks to answer questions such as: What are the key drivers for success in industrial symbiosis and how to resolve possible barriers? What can we learn from each other to succeed even better? What’s in it for businesses and especially SMEs?

Time: 8.45-17.00
Location: Metropol Hietaniemi, Hietaniemenkatu 14, Helsinki, Finland
Organisers: Motiva Oy and European Resource Efficiency Knowledge Centre – EREK

Contact

Are you interested in arranging a side event during the WCEF2019? Please contact Ms Kirsi Pönni, kirsi.ponni(at)sitra.fi.