For the fourth time, Työn Taitajat (Talents for the future programme in the city of Oulu) is organizing the World’s Biggest Virtual Company Visit in collaboration with companies promoting the circular economy in Oulu, along with the University of Oulu, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, and Educational consortium OSAO. The event is also supported by the Oulu Circular Economy Cluster, Oulu Innovation Alliance, International House Oulu, and Taikasatukulma.
The World’s Biggest Virtual Company Visit was first piloted in 2022 in the ICT sector in partnership with Nokia. Since then, the yearly visit has been organized for the tourism and hospitality industry as well as the construction sector. The event has attracted thousands of participants from across Finland, from Ivalo to the Helsinki metropolitan area, and even from abroad.
Featuring Oulu-Based Companies Advancing the Circular Economy and Sustainability
As of this article’s publication, over 5000 participants have already registered for the fourth edition of the World’s Biggest Virtual Company Visit.
The goal for the 2025 event is to raise awareness of the circular economy and its career opportunities. As in previous years, the event will feature tailored content for children and young people of different ages, as well as for university students and international professionals.
The participating companies each contribute to the circular economy in unique ways, supporting a more sustainable future on regional, national, and international levels. This year’s lineup includes Carbon Wise, Hauru, Macon, Mallaamo, and The Warming Surfaces Company. Additionally, Hauru’s intelligent waste management solutions involve Tecinspire, IProtoxi, and Wastebook.
The companies represent various fields such as the sharing economy, printed electronics, sustainable energy solutions, material recycling, and smart waste management. They also work to promote carbon-smart solutions and offer a range of national and international services that support the circular economy and help mitigate climate change.
“We’re excited to work together with other companies to promote real-world applications of the circular economy and to create a positive outlook for the future. This is a great opportunity to give visibility to our solutions and our halia® brand, particularly among young people. We believe that an event of this scale can inspire innovation and even spark interest in technology, motivating people to pursue careers in this field,” says Sanna Rousu from The Warming Surfaces Company.
For educators, children, and young people, this virtual event provides an equal opportunity to explore industries, companies, and professions that might otherwise receive little attention in everyday life – despite their growing significance in the future.
Visits to Educational Institutions
Educational consortium OSAO is participating as an educational visit destination for the third time, while Oulu University of Applied Sciences and the University of Oulu are joining for the second time. These institutions will showcase their education programs and courses related to the circular economy and sustainable development.
Pre-Event Assignments by Taikasatukulma
This year, the pre-event assignments for early childhood education and elementary school students will be created by the Oulu-based startup Taikasatukulma. Taikasatukulma provides entertaining, inspiring, calming, and educational stories on various themes. Their audio stories are already being listened to over 115,000 times per month on YouTube and Spotify.
Strong Collaboration in Oulu
The 2025 visit is also supported by International House Oulu, the Oulu Circular Economy Cluster, and Oulu Innovation Alliance (OIA), all of which are dedicated to ensuring skills development and employment opportunities.
“Oulu Innovation Alliance is committed to securing a skilled workforce for the region’s future. We are continuously working at the forefront of new expertise areas and innovations,” explains Soile Jokinen from BusinessOulu.
Participation
The event is open to everyone and free of charge. It will be broadcasted live on the City of Oulu’s YouTube channel on 7th May. The session in English language takes place at 3.15 – 4.00 pm. All the registered participants will receive a direct link before the event day.