IBM @ SLUSH

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SLUSH is a student-driven Finnish origin initiative where every attendee has an unique experience, which broadens the understanding of the event’s concept in total. It is a mixture of a business event and a festival, where business is the priority, but it ends up being a party. From a 300 persons assembly, it has now grown to be a true global event with over 20.000 attendees. More SLUSH events are merging, also in several parts of the world, where young, next generation of entrepreneurial and enthusiastic talents are looking to take their startups to the next level with their business idea.

For first-time marketing attendees, SLUSH was an amazing experience. Compared to normal corporate customer events, the attendee enthusiasm and energy was overwhelming. This is a great place for IBM to be and offer our technology and programs for these future developers, start-ups and potential ecosystem members.

In the front, naturally we have the IBM Cloud, where we offer: Build your next app with IBM Cloud for free. This is the easiest way to get started and develop your business apps and functions to the next level with the help of AI and endless of other technological capabilities.

Have you heard about the global challenge Call for Code, where IBM is the founding partner? If not, it is time to sign up to the IBM Developers Newsletters and start the ongoing dialogue on topics of your interest: Blockchain, AI, IoT, Open Technology etc. You can choose as many as you like.

Are you looking to expand your network and reach new customers? Why not partner with IBM or as we say: Startup with IBM. With IBM as a partner, you will have access to free IBM Cloud credits.  The Startup with IBM program can put your business on the path to transformative growth. The IBM Ecosystem has many fantastic growth stories. Why not sign up and be the next success story?

SLUSH is an unique experience and addition to my own experience, I want to share also comments and insights from two IBM Nordic Business Leaders.

Denny Angelsø, Nordic Director, Commercial Clients and IBM Business Partner Ecosystem

After many energetic, productive meetings and sessions here at SLUSH, my head is buzzing! Europe’s software industry is now growing at least five times faster than the rest of the European economy and here at SLUSH the Nordic countries are part of leading this. Venture capital is not the biggest challenge any more, recruiting and cultivating talent is the main challenge. If we are to solve some of the world biggest challenges, we need a diverse highly skilled talent pool to be part of building the Nordic tech companies. 46% of women interviewed by Atomico, have experienced discrimination in the European tech industry. This cannot happen, we must nurture an inclusive company culture based on empathy and flexibility, to attract and retain talent. Since many big companies are struggling to work out how to win back trust, there is an opportunity for smaller companies to stand out by giving users clear, truthful information on how their personal data will be used. I met several companies and initiatives moving in this direction and I am looking forward to continuing all the initiatives that has started here at SLUSH!

Ella Haapiainen, Commercial client unit and Partners, Country Lead, IBM Finland

Impressive #Slush18 experience. I met several startups operating in different industries from agriculture to traffic, weather etc. It´s always amazing to see creativity to solve a problem and identifying biz opps, as well as limitless belief to excellence. There is focus on driving value from data, which is no doubt the right path. What caught my attention though is that more than before start-ups consider making business with data: produce ”raw data”, compose & refine it, and sell the data to the value chain´s stakeholders … who then can do analysis, develop value add services, enrich models/products/services etc. Note, this isn´t about personal or consumer data. Data is collected via patented sensors and devices, which have exceptional capabilities in terms of how/where data is collected & transferred. Start-ups had spent time in thought and defining the problem. I find this intriguing and potentially lucrative business. Had a chat with couple of investors if growth potential is limited and hence company´s valuation is somewhat limited. Sure, could be. Yet I think there could be something in here. If you have data, which has required serious skills and intelligence to collect and is valuable to the value chain …. here we go. Let´s see. I´ll follow this “trend” closely.

I wish you all the very best for 2019 and hope to meet you again at SLUSH 2019.

For any further questions do not hesitate to contact me at:  anne.koivu@fi.ibm.com