Startups are an important part of the Crazy Town community. On March 11, 2026, Startup Mixer – Investor Edition gathered startups, investors and ecosystem players at Crazy Town Pendoliino in Tampere.
The idea behind the event was simple: no competition, no winner. Just open discussion, mentoring and new connections.
The result was a room full of active conversation between founders, investors and ecosystem actors. When the groundwork and curation are done properly, the discussions quickly move from small talk to real opportunities.
Curated startups looking for funding and partnerships
Thank you to all the startups who participated. Our team had selected eight startups currently looking for funding and partnership opportunities:
Aveksana – Your AI Research Partner, from ideation to impact.
Code Ananas™ – AI-powered mobile app to ease up your daily food bubble: recipes, shopping lists, data and more!
Efimind – Your second brain: Always-on AI that understands what matters to you and brings clarity to your life
Elexive – A platform for leadership teams. Your data, AI insights, and human expertise
KeloTwin – Digital services to property owners to enhance risk management and quality of construction utilizing AI
MailMoo – AI-powered GTM engine automating prospecting and personalized sales outreach.
Trusted Cofounder – Digital infrastructure designed for the Finnish startup ecosystem.
Qaicu – An internal AI assistant delivering accurate answers and actionable insights across company operations
No competition – focus on mentoring and real conversations
Unlike many pitching events, the Startup Mixer did not aim to select a winner. The goal was to create an environment where startups could receive direct feedback and advice from experienced investors and peers.
This approach was appreciated by participants.
“Event was a big success and I really like the concept of not choosing a winner but sharing advice and more mentoring type approach!” – Kustaa Valtonen, Finest Love VC
“I just wanted to send my thanks to you and the team for the event; it was very beneficial in surprising and unexpected ways. My next steps became super clear, and I have already made big progress in just a few days. Seeing and chatting with other founders at my same stage was really enlightening.” – Curtis Thomas, Trusted Cofounder
Investors and ecosystem players in the room
Investors participating in the event included Pasi Pohjala, Kustaa Valtonen and Juha Miettinen, among others. Discussions and Q&A sessions showed strong interest from both sides – investors looking for promising teams and startups eager to receive feedback. Another perspective came from Sanni Pöntinen, who looked at startups based on their societal impact of their use of AI.
The event also attracted ecosystem actors. We heard that event demonstrated that Tampere needs more curated, high-quality encounters between startups and investors.
Why curated matchmaking matters and social capital matters?
One of the clearest takeaways from the event was that curated matchmaking works. Validated startups presented their work, and the level of expertise was high. The Q&A sessions were lively and showed genuine interest between investors and founders.
The conclusion was clear – startup ecosystems benefit from relaxed but well-curated meetings where startups, investors and ecosystem actors can talk openly.
When the preparation and briefing are done well, the conversations quickly lead to meaningful connections.
The official program ended at 17:00, but discussions continued until 19:00 at Telakka. That is where something equally important happens: social capital is built. For many entrepreneurs, relationships, trust and shared learning become the most valuable currency.
Join the Crazy Town (startup) community
Thank you all that made the event work, plus special thanks to Mikko, Tommi and Pavel for making it happen.
Crazy Town welcomes startups, founders and investors to its community.
-> If you are building a startup, you can apply for Startup Membership at Crazy Town.
–> You can also join upcoming events and programs such as Startup Deal Vantaa, where startups and innovative companies connect with Vantaa-based SMEs.
