How did your journey as a volunteer at sTARTUp Day begin, and what has motivated you to continue over the years?

My journey as a volunteer at sTARTUp Day began in 2020. Laura invited me to join the team, saying they were looking for new members. She had been talking for a while about how great the sTARTUp Day team was and the exciting things they were doing. I started from scratch and joined the creative team without prior experience at such a large event. It was an exciting challenge that immediately drew me in and felt like something I was naturally suited for. Those first few months and initial tasks made me feel like I was on the right path and had found where I truly belonged.

Since 2022, I’ve been responsible for the seminar program. However, during my first year, I undertook several additional tasks while organizing the seminars. I helped the creative team with various activities and was also involved in organizing Investor Day. It was an intense period where I wore multiple hats and gained experience across different areas.

What has kept me going all these years are the people. If you don’t have an amazing group of people around you who share the same motivation and mission, things just don’t move forward. It’s the energy and enthusiasm of the team that truly keeps me motivated.

What have been the biggest challenges in organizing the seminars, and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges in organizing the seminars was the lack of structure. With just a few months left before the event, the seminar manager had accepted almost anyone who wanted to give a seminar without clear agreements. I had to clarify the situation and cancel several seminars. Thankfully, everyone understood, but it took a lot of time and energy to sort it out and create a system for the future.

Another challenge was managing the logistics and execution of the seminars, especially when partner expectations were high and often vague. For example, one year some partners were unhappy with the location of their booth, and they felt that the seminar did not attract enough attendees. However, it’s important to remember that we cannot force people to attend seminars – engaging content is up to the presenter.

One year, there was also an issue where the number of signs directing people to the seminar rooms was reduced, causing confusion. I had to quickly print additional signs and put them up myself. The following year, I created a detailed map of where signage was needed, and the rooms were clearly marked, making it much easier for everyone to find their way.

What valuable skills and knowledge have you gained from working in the sTARTUp Day team?

This has been the only place where I’ve gained real leadership experience – during the event, I usually manage six volunteers. Additionally, I’ve learned to work with a diverse group of people and find solutions that satisfy everyone, as collaborating with partners requires a lot of flexibility.

The first year was a huge learning curve because there was no clear system and I had to build everything from scratch. For instance, seminar registrations were initially just stored in random emails. The following year, I set up a unified system where registration was chronological, greatly reducing problems later. I also struggled with the schedule initially – many seminars had awkward gaps due to random time allocations. In the next year, I created a standardized schedule where all seminars started at the full hour and lasted 45 minutes. This made the entire day run smoother. I’ve learned that the best lessons come from making mistakes, and over time, I’ve developed a system that works well.

These skills have been invaluable in my current job as well. Organizing different events, planning, managing, and adapting to various tasks has become much easier because I already have experience managing a large-scale event like sTARTUp Day. It has given me confidence and the ability to apply my experience and systematic approach to my everyday work.

Is there a particularly memorable moment that left a lasting impression on you?

The most memorable speaker for me was Pekka Hyysalo – we all cried in the audience as he shared his story. It was one of those rare moments where everyone was deeply moved. That’s a memory I’ll never forget.

Another unforgettable moment was meeting Laura Dekker, who sailed around the world solo. Her story was incredibly inspiring and left a strong impression on me. I also have fond memories of the sTARTUp Night at Lodjakoda, where we sang karaoke with the team, and had a great time together. I’ll never forget the late nights spent preparing those final details for the event, making sure everything was ready for the morning. These bonding moments with the team are special and contribute to the unique spirit of sTARTUp Day.

What motivates you to return every year, and what do you hope for the future?

It’s always felt like a natural progression for me – the sense that I’m part of something bigger. Year after year, it seems obvious that I’ll be back, and without sTARTUp Day, it would feel like something is missing. However, last year made me realize it might be time for a change. Initially, I thought it would be my last year, but after the event, I felt I wanted to do it again. This time, though, I’ve decided it’s time to pass on my role properly and hand over a well-structured system so the new team member won’t have to start from chaos like I did.

If I could take on any role at sTARTUp Day, I’d be interested in working on the production side, especially in the early phases where systems are created and the vision for the event is set. I’d also love to try organizing Investor Day again – even though the format is well-established, it would be exciting to approach it from a fresh perspective. Perhaps it’s time to explore something new, but sTARTUp Day will always have a special place in my heart.

What advice would you give to new volunteers considering joining the team?

My main advice is to be proactive and participate in as many activities as possible.

Ask questions, seek opportunities, and try to contribute beyond your specific task. There’s always a need for help setting up and organizing before the event. If I had only done what was initially assigned to me in my first year, I probably wouldn’t have continued the following year – it’s the willingness to take initiative has given me the most valuable experiences.

I’ve learned that sTARTUp Day isn’t a place to just 'be present' – you must show up fully and take responsibility. Often, the team only gets five hours of sleep during the event, but the energy and adrenaline make it fly by. Once the festival is over, you can finally rest. I recommend making the most of every experience and being open-minded because volunteering at sTARTUp Day can offer priceless skills and personal growth.

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Whether you’re looking to challenge yourself, build connections, or be part of something bigger, this is your chance. Applications are open until December 6th, so don’t wait — apply now and become part of our incredible team. Let’s make the next sTARTUp Day unforgettable — together!