Oulu2026 Business Club
Network for micro and small-to-medium enterprises
Oulu2026 Business Club connects companies with the opportunities of the European Capital of Culture year. Members benefit from the growing Oulu2026 business network and have the opportunity to boost their business with the momentum of the cultural capital year.
Oulu2026 Business Club is…
- A network and platform aimed at accelerating business as well as developing services and products.
- Collaboration, partnerships, and brand development among companies and other actors operating in the Oulu2026 area.
- Inspiration, member events, and benefits.
- National and international visibility and new business opportunities driven by the European Capital of Culture year 2026.
Club Membership
Membership is valid from the time of joining until December 31, 2026.
Membership includes:
- Invitations to all Business Club member events and occasions during 2025-26.
- Mention of the member company on the Oulu2026 website.
- Access to the members-only section of the website.
- Customized visibility solutions and priority for event-specific visibility packages at Oulu2026 events.
- Opportunity to book commercial speaking slots at Oulu2026 academies.
- Internal marketing opportunities within the network: hosting club events or organizing your own event, company visits, and communication targeted at members through the business community team.
- Opportunity to apply for commercial use rights of the Oulu2026 brand without additional costs.
Events
Members of the Business Club will receive invitations to all member events and networking opportunities during 2025-2026 after joining. Invitations will be sent via email, and registration links will also be published on the member site.
The program will be updated.
Member events in 2025
- Kulttuurin kipinä Gala Evening on November 6, 2025, for Business Club members and Arctic Food Lab network companies.
- Invitation-only events, visits, and smaller club events starting from June 2025.
- Benefits at partner-organized events (discounts or free tickets).
- Visits organized and hosted by member companies: unique experiences and adventures.
Member events in 2026
- Three major events in accordance with the themes of Capital of Culture Year:
- winter: Brave Hinterland
- summer: Wild City
- autumn: Cool Contrasts
A detailed list of member events and registrations can be found through the member pages.
Membership fees
The membership fee is determined by the size of the company.
- Less than 10 employees or less than 2 million EUR turnover: €480 + VAT
- Less than 250 employees or less than 50 million EUR turnover: €3,200 + VAT
The membership fee is a one-time payment billed upon application processing.
The goal of the Business Club is to create conditions for a positive business culture climate change that improves the operational conditions of companies across the entire Oulu2026 area in the long term.
#oulu2026 #oulu2026businessclub #kulttuuriilmastonmuutos #culturalclimatechange
Commercial Use of the Oulu2026 Brand
The Oulu2026 brand is a registered trademark, and its commercial use must always be contracted with the Oulu Cultural Foundation and a license fee paid. Unauthorized commercial use of the brand is prohibited.
If a company is already a member of the Business Club, no additional license fee is charged. However, a usage rights application must still be submitted.
Submit the usage rights application using the attached form. The application must describe the plan for utilizing the brand.
The usage rights are confirmed by a separate agreement signed by representatives of the Oulu Cultural Foundation and the applicant company.
FAQ
Who is the Business Club for?
All companies, organizations, and private entrepreneurs operating in the Oulu2026 area can join as members.
How much does club membership cost?
The price is determined by the size of the company.
- Less than 10 employees or less than 2 million EUR turnover: €480 + VAT
- Less than 250 employees or less than 50 million EUR turnover: €3,200 + VAT
Club membership includes invitations to all member events and, for example, member-priced tickets to our partners’ events and other benefits, as well as visibility opportunities at Oulu2026 events exclusively for club members. The license fee for the commercial use of the Oulu2026 brand is also included in the membership fee (note that a separate application must always be made for the commercial use of the brand).
The membership fee is a one-time payment made in a single installment. The fee is billed after the application is processed and approved
Why do you have to pay for membership?
All membership fees are used to maintain the Business Club and cover event costs, for example. Club membership includes an invitation to all member events organized in 2025-2026. Additionally, we continuously negotiate new member benefits, such as ticket discounts or discounts on our partners’ services, and build club activities. The Business Club’s activities are not part of the cultural program.
You can read more about the activities and funding of the Oulu Cultural Foundation, for example, here: Frequently Asked Questions.
What events are coming up for members? How can I join?
In 2025, one larger and about three smaller events exclusively for members will be organized. Additionally, network members can organize their own events, with participation coordinated through the Oulu2026 business cooperation team.
In 2026, three experiential main events will be organized, with content revolving around the main themes of the cultural capital year. In addition to the main events, there will be smaller B2B events hosted by partners, to which Business Club members and stakeholders will be invited.
Event invitations and registration instructions will be sent by email to the contact person provided at the time of joining. Event details and registration instructions can also be found on the Business Club member page.
Member events are generally always free of charge for participants..
Can my company organize its own event for the Business Club network members?
Member companies can utilize the network and invite other members to, for example, site visits, product testing, after-work events, or other informal gatherings. We encourage members to actively benefit from and seek new partnerships and collaboration opportunities within the network!
Member information is not disclosed to third parties. Invitations to events aimed at other members are forwarded through the Oulu2026 business cooperation coordinator (nina.taipaleenmaki@oulu2026.eu).