Slush 2024, Helsinki, Finland

Freight Caviar had the privilege of attending Slush 2024, held in Helsinki, Finland.
It is the world's largest venture capital gathering, representing over $4 trillion in funds.

While the Freight Festival (F3) in Chattanooga highlights advancements in freight tech, Slush is a global stage where the world’s largest venture capitalists, groundbreaking startups, and innovative ideas converge.

The focus of the event is to get funding around tech.
I wanted to find out why should Slush be on your radar for next year's events.

The event hosted over 13,000 participants in the midst of a snowstorm, drawing people from all over the world.

It had everything—from NVIDIA's founder Chris Malachowsky sharing insights on how the company started at Denny’s restaurant to Alfonso De Los Rios of NowPorts delivering a keynote about how much easier it is today to code and solve customer problems with AI compared to 10 years ago. NowPorts, a digital freight forwarding company valued at around $1 billion, is reshaping freight transparency in Latin America.

Supply Chain Titans

From my perspective, enterprise incubators are increasingly shifting towards creating their growth-focused venture capital funds. At Slush, Maersk Growth, Swiss Post, and the owners of IKEA, INGKA Investments we're all new acquaintances that I wasn't previously aware of.

There were around 15 venture capital firms specifically investing in freight & supply chain, along with over 200 professionals from the industry.

I had the chance to ask one of the VCs investing in freight tech what they believe is changing in the industry. Their response: "We’re transitioning from subscription-based SaaS to task-based pricing models, allowing companies to pay only for what they use."

Slush Side Event

While Slush itself was a spectacle, the real magic unfolded for me at a side event hosted by Dynamo Ventures, Maersk Growth, and INGKA Investments. This breakfast gathering brought together 200 global supply chain enthusiasts, creating a relaxed atmosphere for meaningful conversations.

(Dynamo Ventures, based in Chattanooga, Tennessee—the same city that hosted F3—made it feel like a small world, having them in Finland!)

Slush is 100% business-focused and full of work, but the people you meet here are laid-back and open to genuine conversations. It’s a rare opportunity to get to know others beyond surface-level networking. I can highly recommend the side-events.

Startups...

The supply chain startups at Slush were awesome!

Here are some of the trends in startups I witnessed:

• Sustainability platforms focused on carbon tracking and reduction.
• AI agents optimizing communication and logistics workflows.
• Cellular-based location tools offer precise tracking without expensive hardware.
• Fuel optimization systems leveraging satellite data to cut costs and emissions.
• Drone-based inventory management, automating warehouse operations with unmatched efficiency.

The startups are not showcasing their tech in booths, but we're eagerly setting up matchmaking with investors. You most likely won't randomly bump into anyone at the event.

Is Slush Worth It?

Should you attend Slush?
Yes—if you need investment, advice from a specific expert, or to grow a stronger network.
But preparation is key. Slush requires a clear understanding of what problem the event will solve for you and who will help you to unfold it.
While the keynotes are excellent, they make up only 10% of the real action in my own opinion.

If you’re considering attending next year or have any questions about the event, feel free to reach out or drop a comment below.