Our story began as a modest vision of two university students in Jyväskylä over 15 years ago. Now, it has grown into a small group of business events that bring together top leaders, thinkers, and decision-makers from around the world. Founded in 2009, Nordic Business Forum has expanded into the Business Forum Group, which now also includes Amsterdam Business Forum, Oslo Business Forum (taking place in the same week as NBF) and Thinkers50.
The largest event of the group is Nordic Business Forum in Helsinki, which has become one of Europe’s leading business conferences. Even though a large part of the audience comes from Finland, the amount of international guests has been increasing significantly. The 2026 edition will welcome its biggest international audience (well over 3,100 people) ever.
Here, we’ve gathered a few tips about Helsinki (and Finland) for all our international guests to help make your experience as smooth as possible.
1. Welcome to Nordic Business Forum 2026
On the 16th and 17th of September, NBF 2026 will gather over 8,000 leaders, entrepreneurs, and senior decision makers from more than 50 countries. The event will take place in Helsinki, Finland—a city known for its forward-thinking mindset and vibrant business scene. Despite its northern location, Helsinki is also well connected to major European and international hubs.
The venue, Messukeskus (Helsinki Expo), happens to be the biggest and best-known convention center in Finland. It’s located in Pasila district, making it easily accessible directly from both Helsinki Airport and the Helsinki City Center. We always recommend using public transportation for commuting to the venue and you can explore the options directly at hsl.fi.
More detailed tips on getting to the Venue:
- From Helsinki Airport (HEL): Take the I or P train directly from the airport train station to Pasila Station (approx. 27–30 minutes). Messukeskus is a short 300-meter marked walk from Pasila Station. You will need an ABC zone ticket.
- From Helsinki City Center: Commuter trains leave Central Railway Station every few minutes for Pasila (a 5-minute train ride). Trams 7 and 9 also run directly to Messukeskus. You will need an AB zone ticket.
- Public Transportation App: Download the HSL App before arriving. It is the easiest way to buy single or day tickets and search for live routes. Tap-to-pay via debit/credit card or smartwatch is also supported across HSL transit.
Remember that you need to change your ticket into an Event Badge to access the event. You can either get it from our pre-check-in or from the Messukeskus (Helsinki Expo) venue upon arrival. For full badge pick-up details, check our official event information site.
2. Basics about Helsinki
Why Helsinki? In short, Jyväskylä got too small for our event. And of course, as Finland’s capital, Helsinki has plenty to offer. The city is home to about 700,000 people, but is surrounded by two other large cities, Espoo and Vantaa, and several small municipalities that together create an area of about 1,6 million people—about one-fifth of the total population in Finland.
Helsinki combines Nordic minimalism with an innovative startup culture. It consistently ranks among the top global cities for sustainability, safety, and quality of life. For international business travelers, Helsinki is both a gateway to the Nordic market and a thriving hub for tech, clean energy, and design.
Top reasons to love Helsinki:
- High quality of life: Clean air, safe streets at all hours, excellent public services, and walkable neighborhoods.
- Sustainability leader: Extensive green spaces, renewable public energy, and a high-efficiency public transit system.
- Innovation hub: Home to vibrant deeptech startups, world-class R&D centers, and global talent.
3. Practical Tips for International Visitors
Virtually everyone in Finland speaks fluent English, and public signage in Helsinki is usually in Finnish, Swedish, and English. There is zero language barrier to worry about! While Finnish is notoriously difficult to learn on a short trip, trying out a phrase or two is always met with a warm smile.
Here a few very simple words, you can try:
- Hello = Hei!
- Thank you = Kiitos!
- Yes / No = Kyllä / Ei
- Cheers!: Kippis!
Other general things good for you to know:
- Currency: Euro (€). Finland is almost cashless. Credit/debit cards and mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are accepted everywhere—from high-end dining to small market stalls. Cash is often not accepted.
- Tipping: Tipping is not part of Finnish culture, as service charges are included in bills. If service is exceptional, rounding up the bill is appreciated but never expected.
- Adaptors & Power: Standard European Type C and F plugs (230V, 50Hz).
- Connectivity: High-speed public Wi-Fi is widely available and free in cafes, airports, trains, and public spaces.
- Safety & Emergencies: Dial 112 for all emergency services. Pharmacies are marked as Apteekki.
- September Weather: Later September brings autumn temperatures (typically around 10–15°C / 50–59°F – but sometimes also warmer). Helsinki is a coastal city, so expect cool breezes
- and light rain showers. Pack layers, a windproof/waterproof jacket, and comfortable walking shoes.
4. Top Networking Tips to Apply in Finland
When connecting with local leaders or Nordic delegates at NBF, keeping a few cultural norms in mind will help you build trust quickly:
- Punctuality is non-negotiable: Arriving on time (or 2 minutes early) is a sign of fundamental respect. Being 5 minutes late without prior notice is considered unprofessional.
- Direct, honest communication: Finns value transparency and skip excessive small talk. “Yes” means yes, and a verbal commitment is taken as seriously as a signed agreement. Don’t mistake brevity for coldness—it is simply efficiency.
- Low hierarchy & equality: Business culture is flat. You can easily strike up a casual conversation with C-level executives, founders, or public figures without rigid protocol. Address people by their first names.
- Preparation wins: Finns respond best to well-researched, clear, and actionable proposals rather than high-level sales pitches.
- Sauna culture: If invited to a post-event sauna session, take it as a compliment! It is a central space for relaxation and authentic connection in Finnish business life. Remember: saunas are a calm, non-sexual space meant for unwinding.
5. Why Doing Business in Finland Makes Sense
“I finally feel I can come as I am,” is something you often hear in Finland. That authenticity is visible everywhere: in our direct way of speaking, in the fact that CEOs are approachable at events, or even in spotting the president taking the tram.
Finland’s business culture emphasizes collaboration, openness, and trust. We don’t just innovate for profit, but to make an impact—whether that’s through ethical AI, clean energy solutions, or diversity-driven business models. You may not always notice it at first glance, but cutting-edge systems run quietly in the background: from nationwide digital energy tracking to climate-predicting digital twins.
Helsinki has become Europe’s most digitalized economy, home to quantum research, deeptech innovation, and global success stories like Oura. With 11 unicorns from Finland alone (out of 80+ across the New Nordics), the country’s startup scene is vibrant and well-supported by government funding, accelerators, and VC networks that consistently outperform European peers.
The Finnish government is also serious about supporting growth: corporate tax rates are being reduced to 18%, with a 25% flat rate for key international employees. Combined with cost-efficient R&D capabilities, Finland offers one of Europe’s most competitive environments for scaling innovation.
For practical guidance on company setup, hiring, tax, and IP, you can turn to Helsinki Partners’ vetted network of service providers to help.
6. Get Guidance from Helsinki Partners
Behind the scenes of Helsinki’s international business landscape stands Helsinki Partners—the city’s investment promotion and marketing agency. Their mission is simple: to help international companies and investors succeed in Helsinki.
Whether you’re looking to expand your operations, find new business opportunities, or you’re an investor exploring the investment landscape, Helsinki Partners provides tailored support free of charge. Their team of advisors has strong local networks and can connect you with the right people, from corporate leaders to researchers and public officials. In practice, they can help with for example market insights, investor matchmaking, and introductions to universities, innovation clusters, and venture capital networks.
Bonus: Tips for Exploring Helsinki in Your Free Time
Of course, no trip to Helsinki is complete without exploring the city itself. If you have the time, these are some things for you to do:
- Iconic sights: Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, Helsinki Cathedral, and the lively Market Square (Kauppatori).
- Smart travel: Hop on a city bike or use the excellent tram/metro system to explore different districts.
- Food & drink: Try traditional Finnish cafés, new Nordic restaurants, or local breweries, many of which are perfect for informal business conversations.
- Culture & leisure: Visit the Design District, discover local museums, or relax in a sauna (an essential part of Finnish life). For evening entertainment, live music and theaters offer plenty of options.
- Take the time to explore! You’ll quickly see why Helsinki consistently ranks among the world’s most liveable and innovative cities.
