In March 2017, #nordicmade companies took over SXSW at the #nordicmade booth.  With a helpful boost from the Rising North fund, the #nordicmade program included a pitch night, an investor dinner, a partnership with the John Lennon Educational Tourbus and a SaunaBus from Finland. However, it was a challenge for the Nordics to stand out in a sea of thousands …

The purpose of chatbots is to aid in interaction with digital systems. But although the idea for chat bots is as old as the invention of the computer, users are often disappointed by what chatbots can offer. Should your company use chatbots, or should your development resources be used elsewhere? – Reply with “1” for English. Reply with “2” for …

Now in it’s sixth year, Europe’s largest interdisciplinary festival, Tech Open Air, is uniting the international tech and creative scene in Berlin on July 11-14th after World Tour stops in cities like L.A., Tokyo and Austin, with 20,000 attendees from around the world expected to join.  Tech Open Air (TOA) enters its 6th and largest edition to date with four …

Bitcoins are seemingly making a convincing case for a digitized, decentralized currency, and the world is excitingly falling into the lockstep. If thoughts over bitcoins have ever crossed your mind and evoked a curiosity in you to know it up and close, this infographic is what you’re looking for. Bitcoin is the brainchild of Satoshi Nakamoto, who published a white …

Last weekend, Sweden’s first travel hackathon, Startup Weekend Travel Edition, took place in Stockholm. The event was arranged by the global entrepreneur network, Startup Weekend, with Amadeus as the main sponsor. During 54 intense hours, over 60 participants developed business ideas for the travel industry, while networking with leading decision makers, as well as industry and innovation experts. During the …

Imagine smart homes or self-driving cars that communicate with each other. Or the day when doctors and teachers use virtual and augmented reality at hospitals and schools. Imagine trains, drones and cars forming transport systems that are safe, efficient and environment-friendly. Just imagine? Oh, you no longer have to. This all will be reality when 5G becomes our next standard …

Last weeks Arctic 15 three day event succeeded in offering a glimpse into the bright future of the Nordics as hundreds of investors, startups and corporates converged once again in the familiar old industrial complex of Kaapelitehdas the ‘Cable Factory’ in western Helsinki. Arctic 15 has grown steadily since its first event in 2011 and has a strong impact on …

The largest ever European blockchain conference, BlockShow Europe 2017 was held in Alte Kongresshalle, Munich. With 560 attendees, 26 exhibitors, and 26 speakers, and over 60 startups attending. Led by Elizabeth Lumley, the managing director at Rainmaking a thought-leader in fintech, the event covered a number of hot topics ranging from practical application of Blockchain technology to aspects of running …

bSaka founders Matilda Waldner, Kicki Hallberg, and Sandra  Ny met while work as sheep-shearers in Stavanger, Norway.  They found they shared an entrepreneurial mindset, and 6 years later had founded their first company, along with their friend Henrik Moricz, a lifestyle brand and clothing line designed to offer environmentally friendly and timeless clothing. In their personal lives, the founders are …

AWE is a Danish startup working on specializing in location based 3D audio augmented solutions.  Recently AWE participated in SXSW (South by Southwest) in Austin, Texas. It was our first time at the huge festival and conference for interactive media, music and film.  Below, we share a few tips about how to find a platform for your business and best …

Evon Söderlund, originally from Malaysia, and her husband Jussi Söderlund founded Huone, the world’s first event hotel, in Finland a couple years ago. Since then they’ve hosted more than 4,000 events for smaller and larger groups in uniquely designed rooms, and won several awards. Now the company is expanding. Evon and her team just opened their hotel in Singapore on …

Do you want to build a successful hackathon team? Meet five Ultrahack teams and learn how it’s done! Hackathons are often considered as a playground for developers, but even the most brilliant execution is not enough: the concept and how you validate your solution are equally important. And without a proper pitch, the judges and investors might not to see the …

Bitcoin underwent a lot of ups and downs in its brief history and, Investoo has made a a complete guide to bitcoin for those who need a speedy update on the bitcoin trading ecosphere. However for those who are quite familiar with bitcoin, here is their run down of major crashes during the early years of this digital currency experienced …

For the last few years, the Nordics have tried to gain a foothold at SXSW, the unparalleled tech festival that collectively  brings  over $300 million to the city of Austin, Texas, every March.  Every year, over 80,000 registrants stream into the conference, trade shows, and festivals.  Past keynote speakers have included President Barack Obama, and this year saw Joe Biden, …

Nordic countries have been heralded as the next Silicon Valley – and the numbers don’t lie. The investments in Danish start-ups doubled from 2014 to 2015, while Finland’s start-up gaming industry alone had a turnover of almost $2 billion USD in 2014. Clearly, the start-up scene is booming in the Scandinavian region. By Grant Polachek However, if you’re starting a …