How to Build the World's Best from Zero: The Bet Called Slush | Panathēnea 2026

How do you build one of the world's most influential startup events from scratch? At Panathēnea 2026, Noora Saska, CEO of Slush, joins Seb Johnson, Founder of Scaling Europe, for a conversation on the story behind Slush and what it takes to build a global platform that shapes entrepreneurship. What began as a student-led initiative in Finland has grown into one of the world's most respected gatherings for founders, investors, and startup operators. Drawing on her experience leading Slush, Saska shares lessons on building community, maintaining high standards, scaling with purpose, and creating an event that has become a cornerstone of the global startup ecosystem. Together, Saska and Johnson explore the power of long-term vision, volunteer-driven culture, ecosystem building, and why Europe has an opportunity to create globally significant institutions—not just globally significant companies. Whether you're a founder, community builder, investor, operator, or technology enthusiast, this session offers valuable insights into building organizations that create lasting impact. Panathēnea is an international festival bringing together founders, investors, scientists, artists, and innovators to explore the future of technology, entrepreneurship, and culture in Athens. The 2026 edition welcomed more than 11,500 participants from over 60 countries.