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A'Pelago Initiative 2024

Business Camp for the Archipelago Sea

August 15–16, Kasnäs

Last year's Initiative was a thrilling success. Welcome to A’Pelago Initiative 2024 — explicitly curated for action-driven changemakers, entrepreneurs, and investors

It’s time to come together again to rethink business strategies beneficial for the Archipelago Sea Region and set priorities for the future to reclaim the sea as a tight crew. This year, our goal is to gather together again an exclusive group archipelago advocates.

Reclaiming the Sea comes from Rethinking Business

At this year's first A'Pelago Event, Winter Camp, the participants came up with a tagline: 'Reclaiming the Sea - Rethinking Business’. To reclaim the sea, we must do things differently. We need to rethink our businesses and the way we consume. We need to rethink value chains and how we interact with the sea.

Adopted as this year's Initiative topic, 'Reclaiming the Sea - Rethinking Business’ is not just a seminar tagline. It is a call to present new concepts and ways for business that contribute to the vitality of the Archipelago Sea Region. So join us in the initiation of new ways for businesses that pave the route to reclaiming the seas.

The potential of the Archipelago Sea Region is vast. Only a fraction of it is common knowledge. Our aim at the event is to bring forward new business initiatives that enable us to reclaim the sea and restore its biodiversity. For this, Kasnäs, located in the Kimito Archipelago, is a picture-perfect location!

Why we get together in the Archipelago

Create New Initiatives Through Collaboration

In an increasingly polarized world, we see that gathering diverse viewpoints in the same space is more important than ever. Creating archipelago initiatives with a positive impact for the future requires interaction that embraces the power of collaboration and inclusion.
We believe that a shared vision and values have what it takes to create fresh narratives for a better future. That's why A’Pelago Initiative is a forum for acceptance, trust, sharing brave ideas, and creating new initiatives.

The Think Tank to Action Approach

Vibrant discussions are at the heart of A’Pelago Initiative. The dynamic approach of the events aims to encourage intersectional collaboration and generate co-created initiatives. The selection of participants is a vital factor that shapes the success of the Initiative. Diverse backgrounds and expertise contribute to increased awareness and knowledge of the event topics, challenging assumptions of the present and nurturing future opportunities.

Ecosystem

The A’Pelago ecosystem is formed by a group of action-driven changemakers, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policymakers, each with a unique connection and ability to create a positive impact on the Archipelago Sea Region.
The Initiative events have brought together a diverse group of exceptional experts with the Archipelago Sea Region in their hearts. The ecosystem is fully committed to delivering results beneficial to the sea region.

A'Pelago Experience

Are you ready to experience the upcoming A’Pelago Initiative in one of the world's largest archipelago areas?
Kasnäs is situated in the heart of the Finnish Archipelago and is a venue known for its unique location, accessible by sea from Hanko or Turku. Kasnäs offers good local food, many activities, breathtaking sea views, and pine forests. It is also easy to travel to Kasnäs by public transport or car from Turku or Helsinki.

First announced voices of A'Pelago Initiative 2024

Keynote speakers

Jannica Haldin

Special Advisor with focus on spatial protection, ecosystem restoration and biodiversity, HELCOM Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission

Hannu Krook

CEO and Chairman of the Board, SOK

Ron Tardiff

Ocean innovation Work Lead, Ocean Action Agenda, World Economic Forum

Stefan Lindström

Ambassador - Digitalization and new technologies, Ministry for Foreign Affaires

Mika Leskinen

ESG Influencer, Chief Investment Officer, S-Pankki

Anna Törnroos-Remes

Associate Professor, Environmental and Marine Biology, Åbo Akademi

Carl Haglund

CEO, Veritas

Luis de Miranda

Philosopher, University of Turku

Dani Lindberg

Sustainability Manager & DPO, Viking Line

Leonard Breukers

Board Member, Nordic Sustainability Reporting Standard

Tanja Liljeqvist

Hotel Manager, Kasnäsudden Oy

Erika Strandberg

Municipal Director, Kimitoön

Mårten Skogö

Partner node.vc | Co-founder Tobii & Tobii Dynavox

Sonja Jaari

Project Manager, John Nurmisen Säätiö

Ossi Korpela

Managing Director, Porsche Finland

Beppe Rosin

CEO, Meriaura

Kristiina Kukkohovi

Managing Director, Visit Archipelago Turku

Jussi Sepponen

General Manager and OEM Director, Mercury Marine in Europe, Middle East & Africa

Spinverse

Director, Open Innovation, Spinverse

Ville Heikkinen

Partner, Butterfly Ventures

Moderators & facilitators

Milla Unkila

Head of communications, BIODIFUL, University of Turku

Timo Ketonen

Partner & Co-founder, A'Pelago Experience

Patrik Anckar

Partner & Co-founder, A'Pelago Experience

Program

Day 1 - August 15

Let’s start the event by exploring the vast potential the participants have in reclaiming the sea and discovering new ways for sustainable business development. To begin the dive into reclaiming the sea with new business strategies, we’ll first adopt the concept of mental sustainability. After this, we’ll examine how adaptability and joint innovation are essential assets to best find, facilitate, and execute ways to reclaim the sea through the power of new business initiatives.

Get ready to gain initiative ideas from thrilling sub-themes and sessions such as Value-Chain Innovation, Customer Experience, Rethinking Mobility, and more. Finally, after Day 1, we will kick off the evening program with dinner, offering everyone the opportunity to deepen connections within the A’Pelagist Community. The evening program is open to all Day 1 ticket holders, including dinner and live archipelago music by Janne Engblom Band.

8:00

Registration & Welcome Coffee

Start sessions 9-9.30

Welcome to Kasnäs and Kimito

The Status and potential of the Baltic Sea

The Mental Prerequisites for Reclaiming the Sea 9.30-10.30

It's about Will

It's about Facts

It's about Mindset

It's a Must

Rethinking Customer Experience and Value Chains 11.10-12.00

Steering consumers towards more sustainable choices

Can a portfolio investor make an impact?

Small steps matter

12.00–13.30

Networking lunch in the archipelago views to create

Rethinking Business Models 13.30-15.00

Green shipping as a choice

On the way to cruising with a clean conscience

Smaller environmental impact means more business

The transformation of driving habits

The Future of Boating

15.00–15.45

Joint Discussion: Rethinking Business to Reclaim the Sea

16.00

Wrap-Up of the Day

A'Pelago Evening Experience

16–17.30

Happy Hour Meet-Up Activities

18.00

Archipelago Dinner & Tunes

Day 2 - August 16

The second day is designed for investors, innovators, and startups who can nurture and scale up the future Finnish Sea Region Champions. This year’s Day 2 is divided into two categories: Investor View and Start-Up View. The morning sessions will focus on macro-level investor discussions on the future of Sea Region Scale Ups in Finland. After this overview, we’ll take deep dives into what is going on in the Finnish sea region start-up ecosystem. You will also hear the pitches of the companies participating in the A’Pelago Accelerator program.

So please book your ticket and prepare to join us at A’Pelago Initiative 2024!

8.00

Registration & Welcome Coffee

Opening Session: Rethinking our Sea - The Sea of Innovation Potential 9.00-10.45

Status quo of world blue economy start-up building (remote)

Sea economy ecosystems to scale-up opportunities

Value chains from the sea-shore to the store

Science based startups in the blue ocean

11.00–12.00

Networking lunch in the archipelago views to create

Rethinking Funding and Startups 12.00-15.30

12.00

Pitch Sessions with A´Pelago Accelerator Startups

Short Break & Coffee

15.00–15.30

Investor and Innovator Discussion: The Future of Business Solutions Reclaiming the sea - New Perspectives for investors and Innovators

16.00

Wrap-Up of the Initiative 2024

Event information

More detailed attendee information can be found here. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Accommodation at Initiative Venue Hotel Kasnäs

Our Initiative Venue is Hotel Kasnäs (Kasnäsintie 1294, 25930 Kasnäs). Boat dock spots or caravan lots at the venue can be booked via Kasnäs' website.

To make your A'Pelago Initiative experience wholesome, A’Pelago has negotiated an exclusive price for accommodation at Hotel Kasnäs during A’Pelago Initiative 2024 for the night of August 15-16. Please reserve your accommodation here (reservation page).

Nights before and after the event at Hotel Kasnäs are booked via Hotel Kasnäs' website.

Other Accommodation Options

Other nearby accommodation premises include Ullman's Villa, Hotel Merikruunu, and Strandhotellet.

Rental holiday homes in Kemiönsaari can be found on Airbnb.com, Vrbo.com, Lomarengas.fi, and tori.fi.