Polar Bear Pitching India Connects Startups with Top Investors

Originating in Oulu, Finland, Polar Bear Pitching involves entrepreneurs pitching their ideas while standing in an ice hole carved into a frozen lake, inspired by the Finnish practice of "Avanto" (ice swimming).

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The Polar Bear Pitching India Chapter, a globally renowned Finnish event, made its grand debut at the Embassy of Finland in New Delhi on 29 January 2025, offering Indian startups a unique platform to pitch their ideas to top investors from India and Finland—all while standing in freezing ice water.

Organized by Business Finland, Business Oulu, and the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), the event celebrated the resilience and creativity of Indian entrepreneurs, merging Nordic endurance with Indian ingenuity to foster international collaboration.

Originating in Oulu, Finland, Polar Bear Pitching involves entrepreneurs pitching their ideas while standing in an ice hole carved into a frozen lake, inspired by the Finnish practice of "Avanto" (ice swimming). This unique format symbolizes innovation, determination, and mental resilience, essential traits for succeeding in the global startup ecosystem.

H.E. Kimmo Lähdevirta, Ambassador of Finland to India, remarked, “The Polar Bear Pitching India Edition is an exciting way to showcase the strong partnership between Finland and India, especially in fostering innovation and entrepreneurial growth. Bringing this unique Finnish concept to India feels like the perfect match—it blends the best of Nordic innovation with the drive and energy of Indian startups. Events like this are all about building connections, exchanging ideas, and opening doors for startups to thrive, whether through talent mobility or collaboration with top investors. Such initiatives benefit both countries, paving the way for mutual growth and stronger business ties.”

Ms. Gitta Perez, Director, Middle East & India (Region Head), Business Finland, added, “Business Finland is thrilled to bring the best of Finland to Delhi: sauna, ice hole, and the buzzing startup scene. Polar Bear Pitching session is all about thinking big, pushing boundaries, and having a bit of fun while doing it—that’s what makes it so special. Finland is dedicated to nurturing bold ideas and building a global community of changemakers, and I’m confident this event will spark some incredible collaborations – while pitching in +7-degree Celsius water and unwinding afterwards in +70-degree Celsius sauna. All in the middle of Delhi.”


Eight innovative Indian startups participated in the Polar Bear Pitching India Chapter, presenting groundbreaking ideas across diverse sectors such as healthcare, space technology, artificial intelligence and IoT. The participating startups were:

  • Mykare: Innovating in the healthcare space with patient-centric solutions.

  • Roomindo: Redefining living spaces with smart technology.

  • Fuselage Innovations Pvt Ltd: A leading drone-tech startup specializing in UAV solutions for multiple industries.

  • Banzan Studios: Delivering cutting-edge solutions in gaming and creative tech.

  • Coexin Technologies Healthcare Pvt Ltd: Transforming healthcare with AI-driven technologies.

  • Tessat Space Pvt Ltd: Driving innovation in space technology and satellite systems.

  • Vi INNOVATIONS Private Limited: Specializing in IoT solutions for smarter living.

  • Enmasse Electronics: Pioneering advancements in electronics and embedded systems.

The winning startup, Fuselage Innovations Pvt Ltd, led by Devan Chandrasekharan, earned the exclusive opportunity to attend the Polar Bear Pitching event in Oulu, Finland, on 27 February 2025, with travel sponsorship provided by KSUM. They will now showcase their innovative idea on a global stage alongside other international entrepreneurs.

Additionally, the startup that wins the Polar Bear Pitching competition in Oulu, Finland, will receive a cash prize of €10,000, further boosting their entrepreneurial journey and providing financial support to scale their innovative solutions.

The judging panel included Business Finland, along with other prominent investors, tech leads and experts, from noted companies like Infosys, Cyient and AWE Funds. Startups were evaluated based on criteria such as innovation, scalability, and market potential.

The three-hour event highlighted:

  • Welcome and Opening Remarks by Ambassador to India H.E. Kimmo Lähdevirta, emphasizing the importance of Finland-India collaboration and the global significance of Polar Bear Pitching. 

  • Special Address by Ms. Gitta Perez, Director, Middle East & India (Region Head), Business Finland, focusing on Finland’s role in fostering innovation and startup growth. 

  • Keynote Address by Mr. Vishal B Kadam, Head - Corporate & Global Linkages, Kerala Startup Mission, on the scope of cross-border investment opportunities and Nordic innovation. 

  • Introduction to Polar Bear Pitching by Business Oulu through a pre-recorded message, showcasing its impact and highlights. 

  • A riveting Startup Pitching Competition, where participants pushed their endurance and creativity to the limits.

  • Results Declared by the Ambassador and Winner Announcement, including an invitation to the Polar Bear Pitching event in Oulu, Finland (February 2025)

  • Closing Remarks by Ms. Shreshta Sharma, Talent Manager, Business Finland


The event’s success underlines the importance of fostering global collaboration and showcases the entrepreneurial spirit of Indian startups on an international stage.

For all the talented individuals with an interest to pursue a career in Finland, more comprehensive information can be found on living and working in the country, as well as available career opportunities, on the Work in Finland website.  

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