University Business Forum 2027

University Business Forum 2027 embraces entrepreneurship in its broadest sense: as the ability to recognize opportunities, turn knowledge into action, build solutions and create value for society. Through the theme Entrepreneurship 360°, UBF2027 explores the qualities that turn ideas into impact: Curiosity, Courage and Change.
University Business Forum 2027 -logo.

Event information

Time

Thu 28.01.2027 08:30 - 13:00

Venue location

Saalasti Hall, Linnanmaa campus

Location

Linnanmaa

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Universities are increasingly expected to create societal impact, foster collaboration with industry, and turn research into tangible solutions, innovations and new ventures. At the same time, working life calls for entrepreneurial capabilities from everyone: students, professionals, professors, pioneers, teachers and researchers alike. How do we cultivate the Curiosity to see opportunities, the Courage to act on them, and the ability to turn action into meaningful Change?

Join us for rediscovering and redefining entrepreneurship. UBF2027 is an experience filled with entrepreneurial inspiration, networking, latest research and collaboration opportunities.

This half-day event is free of charge. The language of the event is English.

Register for UBF2027 here


Preliminary program

08:30-09:00 Coffee, registration and networking
09:00-10:45 Presentations on university's new business ideas at Saalasti Hall

  • Petteri Alahuhta, Vice Rector for Cooperation
  • Zach Shelby, Serial founder, investor, advisor
  • Veera Tapionkaski, Founder & CEO building Zun-H
  • Mika Nevalainen, Professor, Radiologist, Founder of Oulun Ultra
  • More to come

10:45-11:00 Moving to Tellus, coffee
11:00-12:00 Thematic sessions, which bring relevant competences and research as well as success stories forward from the University of Oulu and its stakeholders. More info coming soon!

  • Session 1: Entrepreneurship for everyone: from entrepreneurship education to work life and business skills
  • Session 2: Professional entrepreneurship: exploring entrepreneurship among experts and professionals
  • Session 3: Research to business: creating value from research
  • Session 4: Entrepreneur, you’re not alone: finding support for you

12:00-13:00 Keep the discussion going! Lunch at Saalasti Hall

UBF is the University of Oulu’s main event for industry–university collaboration and is now being organized for the 8th time. The event has annually attracted around 150–250 participants on-site at the Linnanmaa campus. In recent years, over one-third of the participants have come from the university, another third from companies, and the rest from the public sector.

Previous speakers have included, for example, professional board member Kaisa Hietala, Juha Vidgrén (Ponsse), Sari Heinonen (OP, now at LähiTapiola), Katarina Segerståhl (Aava, now running her own consultancy), Markku Heikura (Finnish Tax Administration), Subho Mukherjee (Nokia), and Sasu Tarkoma (Helsingin yliopisto).

Register for UBF2027 here

Past UBF events

2025: AI-powered human performance for research, innovation and business
2024: People, planet, profit
2023: Future proofing and future boosting
2022: Power to renew
2021: Sustainable future

Created 3.9.2026 | Updated 30.9.2026