For a third time, Nordmatch brought together Nordic cultural managers, agents, artists and professionals to share ideas, provide insight on contemporary topics, and to spar about new creative ventures, this time on a wintery two-day bout in Tampere.

The two-day conference included a heavily-packed programme of cases as well as a chance to refine project ideas and practice pitching with international mentors. The case presentations ranged from topics such as architecture and design to music and technology, including tools and projects such as the Culture Score Card –tool (DK), and Biophilia, a project combining science and technology in music (IS).

By the second day, the atmosphere among participants was cheerful. Surely for many, the conference provided an ideal opportunity to network and form friendships in a Nordic context.

Spirits were kept high by a belly-dancing routine in between presentations

It all comes down to pitching

One of the most anticipated parts of the conference was its finale, the pitching competition where 3000 euros was ready to be handed out for the best idea. Participants were invited onstage to pitch their ideas for a panel of potential investors. The panel comprised of representatives from Finnish Business Angel Network (FiBAN), the Finnish crowdfunding site Mesenaatti.me, as well as Nordic Culture Point. Each pitching participant was allowed only 1 minute to present their idea and time for questions from the panel. The panel also provided feedback after each pitching. Although time-taking and feedback were at times brutal, the audience welcomed each participant with loud applause. Everyone wanted contestants to succeed, not fail, in their pitch.

The event's moderator, Liisa Sounio, presenting the panel

Many of the pitched ideas included Nordic heritage projects, which is indicative of the strong, cultural bond shared between the Nordic countries. Other ideas included cultural projects and products or services about storytelling, mental health and environmental conservation. Eventually, the coveted prize went to Iceland, with an idea of a finance museum; an interactive place where the audience would learn about finance literacy. Although the panel was looking for a project with clear business potential, one of the panelists, Pauliina Seppälä from Mesenaatti.me, encouraged all participants, especially non-profit culture projects, to try crowdfunding channels for financing.

NordMatch in the future?

At the end of the conference, before the audience went their separate ways either back home, or to study visits around Tampere, the event organizers provided a round of thank yous and final words.

Anki Hellberg-Sågfors

Main organizer Anki Hellberg-Sågfors from Produforum directed a plea to the audience: to give ideas and wishes about how the next NordMatch should take form. Where and how would you like to see NordMatch manifest in the future?

Text: Kristine Matilainen
Pictures: Kristine Matilainen