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An official WCEF2026 Accelerator Session · Gandhinagar, Gujarat

WCEF2026 accelerator session

Finland
Day

a WCEF2026 accelerator session

A working day on circular systems, and the partnerships that build them.

Date
Thursday 17 September 2026
Venue
The Leela Gandhinagar
Sector 14, above Gandhinagar Railway Station, Gandhinagar 382014
Format
In person in Gandhinagar — the online window has closed
Status
A WCEF2026 accelerator session
Organised by
Embassy of Finland, New Delhi

Why this day

Past the introductions, into the system-level problems.

This event is an accelerator session at the World Circular Economy Forum 2026 (wcef2026.com). WCEF2026 will gather forward-looking thinkers and doers and present the game-changers in the circular economy. The forum will be held from 15 to 18 September 2026 in Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, India. WCEF2026 is organised jointly by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), operating under the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change of India, together with global and local partners. Free of charge, open to all online.

On social media, you can follow the event with #WCEF2026.

Finland Day is the national showcase alongside that forum. Building on São Paulo 2025, this edition skips the primer. The sessions go straight to the complex, system-level challenges where Finnish and Indian companies can build something together, and to the financing, policy and ecosystem questions that decide whether pilots become industry.

What the day sets out to do

  • Position Finland as a leader in circular solutions and systems innovation
  • Open business exchange and partnerships between Finnish and Indian actors
  • Show sector-specific innovations that scale beyond one market
  • Work through financing, policy and ecosystem enablers
  • Deepen Finland–India collaboration in high-impact sectors

Four themes

Where the conversations go deep.

Each theme runs as a 45-minute deep dive with Finnish and Indian speakers, followed by a networking break with themed B2B tables.

Maritime

Circular maritime systems & sustainable ports

Circular shipbuilding, retrofitting and lifecycle management. Smart, low-emission ports. Waste-to-value in maritime logistics, with Gujarat as the anchor hub.

Energy

Energy and the built environment

Grid balancing and efficiency. Biofuels, SAF and hydrogen. Circular business models, advanced materials and faster, lower-waste building methods.

Sport

Sports & circular infrastructure

Sustainable venues and event operations, circular materials in facilities and equipment, and sport as a platform for public engagement in Gujarat.

Emerging tech

Emerging technologies enabling circularity

Data infrastructure, connectivity and advanced materials applied to circular systems, from cloud platforms and networks to tyre technology and engineering services.

Programme · one day

From breakfast to reception.

All times are India Standard Time. Speaker names will be confirmed and this programme updated by 31 August 2026.

08:0009:00

Arrival & networking breakfast

Informal networking, coffee with a Finnish touch, and the first pre-arranged B2B introductions.

09:0009:30

Opening: Finland & India, partners in circular transformation

Welcome remarks and two high-level keynotes setting the frame for the day.

09:00Keynote: Finland's circular economy leadershipH.E. Ms. Sari Multala, Minister of Climate and the Environment, Finland
09:15Keynote: Why India, and why GujaratDr. Jayanti S. Ravi, Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue Department, Government of Gujarat
09:3010:15

Deep dive 1: Circular maritime systems & port ecosystems

Gujarat's ports are among the most dynamic in India, and the maritime sector is under pressure to decarbonise and rethink lifecycle impacts. Indian port stakeholders and Finnish maritime leaders look past efficiency gains towards system-level change.

09:30Moderator's opening: why circularity in the maritime sector is the need of the hourMs. Rai Chakrabarti, Senior Adviser, Trade Promotion, Embassy of Finland, New Delhi

From a Finnish prism

09:32Global standards for maritime circularity: how Finland is adopting circular best practice in the maritime sectorMr. Sanjay Sharma, Country Head, Lamor
09:39Circular waste management as port infrastructureMr. Anssi Mikkola, Founder, RiverRecycle
09:46Lifecycle optimisation and circular business models: closing the loop in modern shippingMr. Sachin Kulkarni, Head of Marine Business, South Asia

From an Indian prism

09:53Building green gateways: circular practices across India's port networkDr. Monica Chavan, Deputy General Manager, JSW Infrastructure
10:00Q&A
10:10Wrap-upMs. Rai Chakrabarti, Senior Adviser, Trade Promotion, Embassy of Finland, New Delhi
10:1510:30

Networking break with B2B introductions

Themed tables for maritime, energy, built environment, sport and emerging technologies.

10:3011:15

Deep dive 2: Emerging technologies enabling circularity

How data infrastructure, connectivity and advanced materials are being put to work on circularity, with Indian scale and Finnish technology side by side.

Master of ceremoniesMr. Siddharth NaithaniSenior Advisor, Embassy of Finland in New Delhi
10:30Opening remarksMr. Siddharth Naithani, Senior Advisor, Embassy of Finland in New Delhi
10:32How technology, digitalisation and innovation are shaping India's circular economy, and what comes nextMr. Avinash Parhi, Chief Business Officer / Mr. Shrinivas Racha, Founder, OpenDHI
10:45Data as the foundation for circularity: building the digital infrastructure for smarter resource useMr. Ken Manuja, APAC Sales Leader, Aiven
10:55Connecting the circular economy: networks, digitalisation and the industrial transformationMr. Vibhu Jhamb, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Nokia
11:05AI-powered video intelligence for safer, smarter and more circular operationsMr. Arindam Das Sarkar, Managing Director, Mirasys India
11:15Closing remarksMr. Siddharth Naithani, Senior Advisor, Embassy of Finland in New Delhi
11:1511:30

Networking break with B2B introductions

11:3012:15

Deep dive 3: Energy and the built environment

Energy and buildings account for a large share of resource use, emissions and long-term capital. In a fast-growing market the question is not only how to meet demand, but how to meet it efficiently and durably.

11:30Opening remarksMr. Ankit Todi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Mahindra Group

Reflections on the real market opportunity

11:40Reflections on the real market opportunityMr. Arvind Kumar Singh, Jindal Stainless
11:45Reflections on the real market opportunityMr. Dinesh Yadav, Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Projects, Arvind Limited

Technology showcases from Finland — four five-minute pitches

11:50Mr. Mohd SalmanVice President, Sales, Routa Digital Oy
11:55Mr. Harri JanhunenVice President, Strategy, Excellence and Digital Transformation, UPM
12:00Mr. Saitej AnnareddyChief Executive Officer & Founder, CeroHero
12:05Mr. Venkatesh R.Managing Director, Wärtsilä India
12:15Closing remarks & key takeawaysMr. Dharmesh Sharan, Senior Advisor, Embassy of Finland
12:1512:30

Networking break with B2B introductions

12:3013:15

Special session: Circular sport & sustainable infrastructure

As Gujarat builds world-class sporting infrastructure, the question is not only how to build, but how to build sustainably, efficiently and for the long term.

12:30Introduction to the speakers and the contextMs. Rai Chakrabarti, Senior Adviser, Trade Promotion, Embassy of Finland, New Delhi
12:32Moderator's remark — opportunities for Finnish companies in the sports sector: the sports sector study, with a special emphasis on circularityMr. Raghav Anand, Partner, EY-Parthenon
12:39Designing sustainable sports ecosystemsMr. Kimmo Haapea, Lead, Circular Economy Cluster, Lahti Region Development LADEC Ltd
12:46Designing and operating sustainable stadiums and sports venuesMr. Chiranjiv Patel, Managing Director, P C Snehal Group, a sports infrastructure developer in Gujarat
12:53Use of pre-cast technology in sports infrastructure buildingMr. Kishan Mehrotra, Chief Operating Officer, Elematic Ltd
13:06Q&A
13:11Wrap-upMr. Raghav Anand, Partner, EY-Parthenon
13:1514:30

Networking lunch

Seated networking with B2B tables. In-person guests only. Select it on the form so we can confirm numbers.

14:3015:00

Registration for the afternoon accelerator

The desk opens at 14:30 as announced. The session itself starts at 15:00, so allow the first half hour for check-in.

15:0017:30

International development financing for circular economy business opportunities

Scale your circular economy business globally. Find out which financing instruments can help you tap into business opportunities in the circular economy across global markets. Meet circular economy experts from international financing and funding organisations. Hear about the experiences of companies that have received international financing, and receive advice from them.

OrganisersMinistry for Foreign Affairs of FinlandWith ADB Ventures and the World Bank Group
Who it is forCompanies offering circular economy solutionsAlso EPCs, project developers, business leaders, financiers and investors, think tanks and media active in international circular economy ventures
Why attendDevelopment financiers are actively seeking new projectsLeading development financing institutions have strong experience supporting circular economy projects and are looking for high-potential initiatives, as well as ways to strengthen existing projects in emerging markets.
What you will hearExperts from financing organisations across every continentTheir experiences, priorities and practical recommendations for companies seeking international funding and partnerships, alongside real-world examples from companies that have delivered circular economy projects in emerging markets, with the lessons learned.
ClosingThe session closes at 17:30, and the networking reception follows at 17:45Connect with experts, explore funding opportunities and discuss your specific business needs over mocktails and canapés. One-to-one meetings can be arranged.
Session contactVeera Iija & Anna ErkkiläMinistry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
17:4520:00

Evening networking reception

Mocktails, canapés and conversations, opened by the Ambassador of Finland and the Honorary Consul General for Gujarat. In-person guests only.

Master of ceremoniesDr. Antti HerleviCounsellor, Embassy of Finland in New Delhi
17:45Opening remarksDr. Antti Herlevi, Counsellor, Embassy of Finland in New Delhi
17:50Welcome addressH.E. Ms. Titta Maja-Luoto, Ambassador of Finland (bioeconomy, circular economy and food exports)
18:00Welcome addressH.E. Mr. Kulin Lalbhai, Honorary Consul General of Finland for Gujarat
18:05MoU announcementCeroHero · Biovoima · Chakravuyha
18:10Networking receptionMocktails, canapés and conversations

Who is in the room

Built for people who can sign something afterwards.

Attending

  • Finnish and Indian companies, from SMEs to large corporations
  • Investors and financial institutions
  • Policy-makers and public sector representatives
  • Research institutions and innovation ecosystems
  • International organisations

What we expect to come out of it

  • New business partnerships and pilot projects
  • Wider visibility for Finnish circular solutions in India
  • Stronger Finland–India innovation collaboration
  • Identified investment opportunities
  • A contribution to the global circular economy discussion

Registration

Tell us which parts you will join.

The online window has closed. In-person places in Gandhinagar are still available, limited, and confirmed by email.

Registration closes 16 September 2026.

Confirmation will be sent shortly.

Questions about this session or your registration

Pratham Nijhawan
T&A Consulting
pnijhawan@taglobalgroup.com

Finland Day – a WCEF2026 accelerator session

This event is an accelerator session at the World Circular Economy Forum 2026 (wcef2026.com). On social media, you can follow the event with #WCEF2026.

Finland Day brings Finnish and Indian companies, investors and policy-makers together for one working day in Gandhinagar. Four sector deep dives, covering maritime and ports, energy and the built environment, sport, and emerging technologies, are built around concrete partnership opportunities rather than introductions. The afternoon accelerator turns to international development financing for circular economy business.

The day runs at The Leela Gandhinagar on Thursday 17 September 2026, with pre-arranged B2B introductions through the breaks, a networking lunch and an evening reception. Sessions are carried live online for those who cannot travel.

1 · How will you join? *
2 · Which parts will you attend? *
3 · Your details

Age and gender are collected because WCEF2026 asks every Accelerator Session to report them. Both offer a prefer-not-to-say option, and neither affects your registration.

4 · Interests