Slush

Connects founders with investors and ecosystem partners through startup events, while not providing direct grants.

Slush is a Finnish not-for-profit startup event organizer owned by the Startup Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening Helsinki's startup ecosystem. Founded in 2008 as a 250-person gathering, it has grown into an annual two-day event in Helsinki attended by tens of thousands of founders, investors, and ecosystem actors. Slush's stated mission is to help found and grow impactful companies by inspiring entrepreneurship, facilitating company-building, and connecting founders with investors, co-founders, and mentors.

Slush does not award grants or non-dilutive funding. Its flagship program, the Slush 100 pitching competition, offers an equity investment from partner VC firms — not a cash grant from Slush itself. Profits from the event are reinvested into the Startup Foundation to support broader ecosystem work. Slush should be classified as an event-organizer nonprofit, not a grant-making funder.