International growth starts with the right connections – meet the creative business experts joining SHINE!

Organised by Creative Finland, SHINE! is built around meaningful encounters. The right conversation can open the door to a new market, help develop a business or lead to a new partnership.

Selected companies have three minutes to present their business and international ambitions, followed by feedback from investors and experts. Alongside the pitches, there is plenty of time for meetings, mentoring and networking.

Connections to new markets

Joining from Bahrain, Safa Sharif is an entrepreneur, business growth coach and startup mentor with experience across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East. Khawla Alshaikh works in strategic partnerships and ecosystem development at AstroLabs, which supports international companies entering and growing in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

At SHINE!, Safa and Khawla will meet companies, share market insights and help build new connections between Finland and the Gulf region. Khawla is particularly interested in meeting companies in gaming, audiovisual, media and fashion.

International creative business networks

From Denmark, Rasmus Wiinstedt Tscherning, Founder and CEO of Creative Business Network, has spent years building international networks around creative entrepreneurship. Creative Business Network connects creative businesses, investors, mentors and other industry professionals across more than 80 countries.

At SHINE!, Rasmus will meet companies, provide feedback after pitches and bring an international perspective on creative business growth and entering new markets.

An entrepreneur and investor perspective

From Finland, Anna Sofia Piha, Founder and CEO of Abraca and one of the founders of FiBAN Creative Angels, brings first-hand experience of leading creative growth companies, raising investment and expanding internationally. She is also an experienced startup competition jury member.

At SHINE!, Anna Sofia will provide feedback to pitching companies and bring both an entrepreneur’s and an investor’s perspective to international growth.

Apply to pitch – or join us to network

SHINE! Showcase is looking for creative businesses with international growth ambitions. Pitching companies are selected through an open call and by invitation.

You don’t have to pitch to take part. Join us to meet international and Finnish investors, mentors and experts, connect with other creative businesses and make new connections.

Pitch applications close 9 September 2026.
General registration closes 15 September 2026. Sign up.

SHINE! Showcase
1 October 2026 | Tampere, Finland

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Free to attend. The event will be held in English.

Creative Businesses. Global Ambitions.

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