Crossborder business LAB
Hope to see you next time! Stay tuned for updates on the 2026 event.
Bringing businesses together – A networking event for Finnish and Norwegian businesses
Join us for an event that brings together local businesses from Finland and Norway to network, collaborate, and build partnerships across borders!
Crossborder Business LAB focuses on companies in the tourism industry and related sectors. Our goal is to support cross-border collaboration, foster new connections, and open opportunities for long-term partnerships.
Now being held for the third time, this event has been highly appreciated in previous years.
What to expect?
- Opportunities to network and discover new partners
- Fresh ideas and perspectives to develop your business
- Practical tools and strategies to grow your business in the border region
Who is this for?
The main target group is tourism companies and businesses working at the tourism interface.
Focus areas include:
- In Finland: Utsjoki and Inari-Saariselkä
- In Norway: East Finnmark, Karasjok, and Porsanger
Event language
The event will be conducted in English to facilitate communication across borders.
Costs and practical details
- The event is free of charge and includes lunch and dinner. Drinks are not included.
- Travel and accommodation are at your own expense.
Accommodation
Accommodation is at your own expense, and you are free to choose your preferred accommodation option. If you need information about the options near by, you can infrom us in the registration form.
We recommend booking your stay well in advance.
In co-operation:
Meet the participating companies:
The map is being updated as new registrations are received.
You can click the icon in the top right corner of the map to open a larger view.
Program for 2025
All times in Finnish time (EET)
Wednesday 14.5.
11:30 Company presentation and visit at Giellajohka in Kaamanen
Lunch
Independent transfer to Hotel Guossi, Karigasniemi (approx. 30 min)
13:45 Welcome to Crossborder Business LAB 2025 at Hotel Guossi in Karigasniemi!
Company introduction: Hotel Guossi
B2B speed dating
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- Quick meetings to pitch your company and to get to know the other companies
16:30 Workshops:
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- Local accessibility
- Mapping the local services & new possibilities in co-operation and product development
19:00 Dinner at Hotel Guossi
Pub open, time to relax and network
Thursday 15.5.
9:00 Workshop results and next steps
10:30 – 16:00 Excursion tour from Hotel Guossi to 3-4 Karasjok companies including lunch and bus transportation.
The excursion will include visits to Engholm Husky, Min Ája and Sápmi park.
16:00 Return to Hotel Guossi. Have a safe journey home!
Stay tuned for 2026 registration updates!
Please note that you will not receive a confirmation email after registering via this form.
Instead, a message below the registration form will confirm that your registration was successful.
The event was founded in 2023 when representatives from Northern Lapland and Eastern Finnmark recognized the need to revive grassroots cross-border collaboration after the quiet years of the pandemic.
The name Crossborder Business LAB reflects this focus on cross-border cooperation between local businesses. Additionally, the acronym LAB comes from Local Arctic Business. The word LAB also refers to a laboratory—symbolizing experimentation and the creation of something new.
Over the years, the event has evolved based on participant feedback, placing an even stronger emphasis on business collaboration, networking, and practical opportunities for companies to work together across borders.
After each event, participant feedback is collected to further develop the event year by year.
Previous events:
May 2025: Karigasniemi, Finland
May 2024: Bugøynes, Norway
May 2023: Utsjoki, Finland
Previous events
Pictures from 2025 and 2024 events
EU data privacy notice –
Crossborder Business LAB
The privacy notices in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (EU 2016/679) can be found on the Municipality of Utsjoki's website (available in Finnish and Northern Sámi): www.utsjoki.fi
The registration form collects participants' personal data for the purpose of organizing the Crossborder Business LAB events. The following personal data will be collected:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Organization/Company
By submitting this form, the participant provides their personal data voluntarily.
Legal basis for processing
The processing of personal data is based on the participant's consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR). Participants have the right to withdraw their consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.
Data storage and security
The collected data will be stored securely and will only be accessible to designated personnel responsible for organizing the event. Personal data will be retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill the stated purpose, after which it will be securely deleted.
Data sharing and transfers
No personal data will be disclosed to third parties or transferred outside the European Economic Area (EEA).
Data controller
The data controller for this register is:
Municipality of Utsjoki, Economic Development Unit
Address: PL 41, 99981 Utsjoki
Email: elinvoima@utsjoki.fi
Data subject rights
Participants have the right to:
- Access their personal data and request a copy of it.
- Request rectification of incorrect or incomplete data.
- Request erasure of their data in accordance with GDPR.
- Object to or restrict processing under certain conditions.
- Lodge a complaint with the Finnish Data Protection Ombudsman if they believe their data protection rights have been violated.
For inquiries or to exercise data subject rights, please contact data controller: elinvoima@utsjoki.fi