Slush 2025 reconfirmed its role as a central platform for European innovation, bringing together over 6,000 start-ups and thousands of investors from more than 100 countries in Helsinki. The event, known for its strong focus on networking and collaboration between ecosystems, was accompanied by the presentation of the new edition of Atomico’s State of European Tech, one of the most authoritative barometers of the state of the sector in Europe.
According to the report, the European technology sector is estimated to be worth around $4 trillion, accounting for 15% of the continent’s total GDP. After a period of adjustments between 2023 and 2024, the market is showing signs of stabilisation, accompanied by an increase in capital allocated to investments. In the venture financing landscape, the deep tech and artificial intelligence sectors remain key players, together accounting for over a third of annual investments. Among the main areas identified as priorities are the need to accelerate decision-making processes, develop solutions designed from the outset for a global market, simplify operational structures and strengthen public-private partnerships.
Italy participated with a delegation of more than 50 start-ups, coordinated by ITA Italian Trade Agency, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Embassy in Helsinki. The national presence was complemented by regional contributions from the Puglia Region, represented by ARTI Puglia, and the Marche Region, both present with start-ups and innovative companies active in the most dynamic sectors of the moment.
During the inauguration of the Italian mission, Ambassador Nicola Todaro Marescotti emphasised the country’s growing role in the European technology landscape, stating: “Slush offers significant opportunities for both investors from around the world and start-ups that are here to present their ideas. My invitation to investors is to look to Italy: there are many ideas and a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
Among the Italian companies present, a representative selection includes: Dymension, a simulation platform for complex industrial systems; Hcomm, neurosensory and phygital solutions for training and retail; Icarus Technology, artificial intelligence systems for health and continuous patient care; MLR, a digital content certification platform for media, institutions and broadcasters; Profiter, AI-based predictive models to optimise the pharmaceutical supply chain and logistics; Social Things, AI, cloud and human-computer interaction technologies with applications in edtech, smart living and insurtech; Supernova, digital and interactive solutions for museums, cultural institutions and brands.
Italy’s participation also attracted international attention, particularly from the Japanese delegation led by Masayuki Hara (Tokyo Metropolitan Government), who shared his thoughts on the interactions that took place during Slush and the importance of Finnish cultural reception programmes. In an interview, Masayuki Hara stated: “The Sisu Launchpad programme allowed us to understand Finnish culture and ways of thinking right from the start, facilitating collaboration once we arrived at Slush. The interaction with the Italian delegation was particularly significant: we received an extraordinarily warm welcome, which impressed many members of the group. The ability to build authentic relationships is the basis of any international collaboration.”
The combination of structural analysis, thanks to Atomic data, and the relational dynamics observed during the event suggests that Slush is increasingly evolving into a geopolitical as well as technological platform. Collaborations between ecosystems, institutional delegations and informal exchanges now play a growing role in building joint growth paths.
In this context, Italy has demonstrated a coordinated and mature approach, based on cooperation between start-ups, national institutions, local authorities and the diplomatic network. Slush 2025 thus comes to a close as an event that, in addition to providing a snapshot of the state of European technology, confirms the country’s desire to play an active and structured role in the growth of innovation across the continent.
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