Consulate General of Finland in Los Angeles

Yesterday, we brought a little Finnish sauna diplomacy to LA Tech Week by hosting Sauna Before Slush, an investor meetup connecting investors and founders from Finland and California to explore innovation, investment opportunities, and the world’s leading startup event Slush, followed by sauna and cold plunging! As Tatu Rouhiainen said while sharing his journey from Slush volunteer to startup founder: “Slush made me a founder.” A great reminder that innovation ecosystems aren’t just about funding companies, but also about inspiring people to build them. And as we say in Finland, titles and hierarchies are left at the sauna door. Sometimes the best connections happen outside the boardroom! Thank you to our wonderful speakers for sharing their insights and experiences: Tatu Rouhiainen, Aria Cyrus Safar, Jesse Heikkila, Christina K, Venture Investor, and Tom A.. And a huge thank you to our partners Slush, Finnair, and Los Angeles Venture Association, and everyone who joined us for the evening! Next stop: Slush in Helsinki, November 18–19! Defne Keser Matteus Einiö Casimir Rönnlöf Javier Roig Victor Ejiji Darren Eng Minna Laajava Sanna Andersson Katja Kotala Anna Kajanus Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) #SaunaBeforeSlush #Slush2026 #LATechWeek #SaunaDiplomacy #FinnishInnovation

🇫🇮🇺🇸Finland and Washington State are strengthening ties and creating new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and shared growth.

Looking for a world-class education, innovative learning environment, and high quality of life? Join the Study in Finland Webinar on October 13 to discover why Finland continues to attract students from around the world. The upcoming webinar is aimed at prospective students across North and South America and offers a chance to learn more about Finnish universities, degree opportunities, and student life in one of the world's leading education systems. 🔗 Registration and details: https://lnkd.in/gW94sxRb

This week, Consul General Minna Laajava hosted a lunch meeting with former California Assembly Speakers Anthony Rendon and Herb Wesson, former Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes, and the Consuls General of Belgium, Poland, and Croatia. Our discussion on California politics, AI, and the upcoming midterm elections was both fascinating and insightful.

Let's give a warm welcome to our new trainee, Julius Kukkonen! 👋 ’’Greetings from Los Angeles! My name is Julius, and I’m the current Team Finland Knowledge EDUFI trainee at the Consulate General of Finland in Los Angeles. In June, I graduated from the University of Helsinki with a Master of Social Sciences degree. I also have previous international experience from working at the Embassy of Finland in Oslo, as well as from exchange studies in Stockholm and Montréal. In the United States, I’ve only been to New York before, so I’m excited to explore the City of Angels and get to know the area in the months to come. In my free time, I enjoy running, going to the gym, reading, and spending time with music. There’s a lot I want to see and do while I’m here, and I’m sure the next six months will fly by!’’ #FinlandinLA #edufi #TeamFinlandKnowledge #Internship #Työharjoittelu #trainee

It has been an exceptionally warm start to the fall, and it has also been a busy month here at the Consulate General of Finland in Los Angeles. Let’s take a look back at some of our September highlights! 🇫🇮🇺🇸 Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen and Governor of California Gavin Newsom signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Finland and the State of California to strengthen commercial and economic ties. The MoU will deepen and expand cooperation, innovation, and bilateral dialogue between Finland and California. 🚀 We hosted a Finnish Founders & Friends event in San Francisco, bringing together startup founders and like-minded people for a morning of conversation and connections in a relaxed atmosphere. 🌱 We attended the U.S. Green Building Council Summit, where Finnish company Carbon Free Technologies presented its work. Discussions focused on sustainability and building a carbon-free future. It was an informative event and a great opportunity to connect with others working toward a more sustainable future. 🇪🇺 We joined the Europe in the Park event in San Francisco, where we showcased some of Finland’s everyday luxuries – from the Finnish maternity package and clean water to saunas, nature, and happiness. It was a great success, and many of our visitors left the event as new fans of Finland! 📡 Our team attended 6G workshop hosted with the City of Los Angeles, NTIA and industry representatives. Discussions focused on the future of wireless connectivity, innovation, and opportunities related to cellular technology showcases and utilization in Los Angeles during and after the Olympics. 🎬 We attended a screening of Finland’s submission for the next Academy Awards. Squirrel, directed by Markus Lehmusruusu, is a wonderfully fun and thought-provoking film. Best of luck on its journey to the Oscars! 🩹 Our team also participated in regular first aid training. It was a highly valuable session, ensuring that we are well prepared to provide emergency first aid in a range of situations. Image 1: Agaton Strom #FinlandinLA

Meet our new intern, Jenni Haataja! "Hi! I’m Jenni, and I’m excited to join the Consulate General of Finland in Los Angeles as an intern this fall. I am currently pursuing a Master's degree in Administrative Sciences at the University of Lapland, with a focus on foreign, security, and defence policy. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to complete my graduate internship at the Consulate and gain hands-on experience in diplomacy and international relations. During my first few weeks here, I have already been involved in interesting projects and learned a lot about California, the United States, and their political systems. Having previously studied abroad in Canada, life in North America feels familiar to me, but I am especially excited to experience more of the West Coast and everything it has to offer. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, exploring local food scenes, and spending time outdoors, especially with my dog. My other hobbies include yoga, gym, and reading. Since arriving in Los Angeles, I have already discovered outdoor yoga at the Santa Monica Pier and enjoyed walking and cycling along the beach paths. Over the upcoming months, I look forward to exploring more of Los Angeles’s diverse neighborhoods and unique atmosphere. Museums, independent bookstores, theme parks, and scenic hiking trails are all on my bucket list. I also hope to attend a country music concert while I'm here. I look forward to making the most of my time in California and experiencing all that the state has to offer 🇺🇸🇫🇮🌴" #FinlandinLA #Internship #Työharjoittelu #trainee

Finnish companies interested in the US market and cooperation opportunities in Southern California! Come and hear what City of Riverside Economic Development can offer companies – and how the cooperation between Business Lahti and City of Riverside can open up new connections across the pond. 📅 Wednesday Oct 7, 2026 ⌚ 18.30–19.30 Finnish time 💻 Online, Microsoft Teams 🌍 The webinar is in English Register here: https://lnkd.in/g8xgZkzj Get an overview of Riversides business environment, expertise and connections in the region, and collaboration opportunities directly from representatives of the City of Riverside and the University of California, Riverside (UCR). You will also hear about the opportunities that the Lahti–Riverside cooperation offers to Finnish companies and about the upcoming visit from Riverside to Finland! Speakers include: Antti Suikkanen, Business Lahti – Lahti–Riverside cooperation Jessica Gonzales, City of Riverside Economic Development – The City of Riverside and its Operating Environment Dr. Matthew Barth, University of California, Riverside – UCR Expertise and Collaboration Opportunities There will be time for questions and open discussion, so you can also bring up themes that interest your company.