Slush puts Lyon startups in the spotlight on the international tech scene
At Slush, the Lyon region showcases its startups, entrepreneurs, and tech ecosystem to international investors and partners. The event provides a strategic platform to raise the profile of innovative Lyon-based ventures across Europe.
Slush 2026: an international event for startups looking to scale
An event taking place in Helsinki on November 18-19, 2026
On November 18-19, 2026, Slush will bring together entrepreneurs, startups, and international investors in Helsinki to explore innovation and funding opportunities for high-growth companies. The event is one of the world’s leading venture capital gatherings. For its 2026 edition, the organizers expect more than 12,000 attendees, 25,000 meetings, and 200 speakers.
Since its launch in 2008, Slush has established itself as a leading event for startups seeking funding and investors looking for new opportunities. For several days, Helsinki becomes one of the key meeting points for the global startup ecosystem.
A format designed around founders, investors, and tech media
One of Slush’s defining features is its focus on face-to-face meetings. Its networking platform and dedicated meeting spaces allow founders to identify investors, schedule meetings in advance, and maximize connections throughout the event. The program also combines conferences, meetings between investors and entrepreneurs, and numerous events taking place alongside the main conference.
This concentration of key players makes Slush a particularly strategic startup event in Europe for companies preparing to raise funds or looking to accelerate their international growth.
The Lyon delegation at Slush 2025
Slush Starter: a springboard to Helsinki for Lyon startups
An initiative led by the CCI Lyon Métropole Saint-Étienne Roanne with the support of ONLYLYON Invest
To connect the Lyon ecosystem more directly with the opportunities offered by Slush, the CCI Lyon Métropole Saint-Étienne Roanne has been running a program for several years to select and prepare startups from the region.
A historical co-founder of the initiative alongside the CCI, ONLYLYON Invest is now a partner and sponsor. The agency notably takes part in the selection jury and helps identify innovative companies with the potential to showcase the Lyon region’s expertise internationally.
For ONLYLYON Invest, this initiative has two key objectives: to strengthen the international profile of Lyon and its region and to build connections with French and international investors, helping expand funding opportunities for companies already established or in the process of setting up in the region.
Nine startups selected to take part in a major fundraising event
Following a competition that attracted around 40 applications, nine startups and innovative SMEs were selected for the 2026 edition: Allergen Alert, Diadeep, Elecsyor, Revcoo, AUSPRA, Bloomd, H&B Materials, NAWU Diagnostic, and Wallace Technologies.
Four of them were also selected as standout companies: Allergen Alert, Diadeep, Elecsyor, and Revcoo. They will notably benefit from half a day of dedicated exposure at a startup booth in Helsinki.
The diversity of the delegation highlights the connections between the region’s tech startups and industrial expertise, spanning AI applied to healthcare, robotics, industrial decarbonization, advanced materials, diagnostics, and energy storage.
Tailored preparation to strengthen pitching, networking, and fundraising strategies
Preparation begins several months before the trip to Finland. The nine companies receive support including group and individual coaching, fundraising preparation, increased visibility, and access to Slush’s matchmaking platform. Once in Helsinki, the four standout companies will also benefit from dedicated exhibition time. The CCI estimates the overall value of this support at €3,000 per company.
The objective is to ensure that entrepreneurs arrive in Helsinki with clear positioning, a compelling pitch, and a well-prepared networking strategy, enabling them to turn these two days into tangible business opportunities.
Among the nine selected companies is Allergen Alert, which specializes in a portable solution for the rapid detection of food allergens. Already supported by ONLYLYON Invest in its search for an industrial site in the Lyon region, the company illustrates the continuity between establishing a local presence, growing within the region, and connecting with new international networks.
This approach is fully aligned with ONLYLYON Invest’s mission: connecting companies with strategic stakeholders and partners that can help accelerate their growth in the Lyon region.