Author Archives: Sakari Mesimäki

I'm a PhD student in Social Anthropology at the University of Cambridge. My doctoral research explores Finnish startup professionals and how they have sought to apply the tools of entrepreneurship to ethical purposes beyond profit.
A conference stage surrounded by a crowd of people and dramatic stage lighting.

Renouncing and Returning to Shareholder Value

As pandemic restrictions began to ease in late 2021, the annual Finnish startup conference Slush made its return as an in-person event. Held for the first time in 2008, Slush grew through the 2010s to become a major international startup event with tens of thousands of attendees—a symbol of the “success story” of Finnish startup culture and a focus of national pride and economic hope. (read more...)