OPD2024 Matchmaking

Participating in a matchmaking event is a convenient and efficient method to connect with potential partners for collaboration. A short pre-scheduled meeting is a brilliant way to make a first impression that lasts!

You can book onsite or online meetings with other registered participants:

• onsite 1to1 meetings in Helsinki on 29 May 2024 at 13:00-14:00 and 17:15-19:30 and on 30 May 2024 at 13:00-14:00

• online 1to1 meetings on 4-5 June 2024, both days 08:00-18:00 (Finnish time)

Note that the matchmaking is offered only to OPD2024 participants.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Register for the Matchmaking

Register via the Register button. Note that you have to register first to the main event OPD2024, register here.

Before activating the registration in the system, the organizers check the quality of the participant profile and that the participant has registered to the OPD2024. This manual check might cause slight delay in the registration activation.

Create your profile to showcase who you are and what you are looking for

Create a clear and concise participant profile to raise your visibility on the matchmaking website. Your profile should describe who you are, what you can offer to potential partners, and who you want to meet. 

You can add the following to your profile:

> Pitch, biography, your skills and interests

> Organization detail. Once an organization page is created, persons from the same organization can be added by the participant who first created the organization page (admin).

> Marketplace opportunities , i.e. products, services and expertise you want to showcase to other participants.

Browse profiles of other participants

Go through the participant list to find out who you could meet at the event and who is offering interesting and promising business opportunities. Use the filters on the right or browse through your AI Profile recommendations in the My Matches section to narrow down your selection and find the most suitable collaboration partners that match your interests. See also Organizations and Marketplace sections.

Send & receive meeting requests and messages

Send meeting requests to those you want to meet in a 1to1 meeting, either onsite at OPD2024 in Helsinki or online the week after. Add a message to explain, why a meeting would be beneficial to the meeting partner.

Once the meeting request is accepted by your meeting partner, the meeting is scheduled to your agenda and a table is reserved (onsite meeting) or meeting link is created (online meeting).

You can also send messages to interesting participants to introduce yourself and initiate conversations even before the meeting, to establish stronger connections.

Your personal meeting agenda

In Meetings, you have the list of your meetings, who you will meet and at what time. For onsite meetings in Helsinki, there's information about the table where you will meet, for online meetings there's a link to join the meeting. For online meetings, remember to check that your time zone is correct on the matchmaking platform. Please be on time!

Join the meeting

The onsite meetings take place in the matchmaking area in Scandic Marina Congress Center, Helsinki. Go to the table assigned for the meeting and meet your meeting partner there at the time of the meeting.

To join the online 1to1 meeting, go to Meetings to see your personal meeting agenda. At the time of the meeting, click on the green button "Start Meeting" and the meeting window opens on your Internet browser. An online meeting can be started at any time before its ending time and it will not stop until one of the participants has ended it. 

You do not need any additional software for the online meeting, only an up-to-date browser, a microphone and preferably a webcam. The browser might ask permission to use your computer’s microphone and camera - make sure these permissions are enabled, as you will not hear or see your meeting partner if they are not. 

Note: We suggest that you use the up-to-date version of Edge, Chrome or Firefox. Technical requirements for virtual meetings

During the meeting, you can 

• share your screen 

• chat with the other person

• invite a third person to the meeting

• end the meeting

Please be on time. If for some reason the meeting partner doesn't join the meeting, send the person a message through the matchmaking system (browser or mobile app) and agree another time to meet.

Rate the meetings

You are asked to rate the meetings you had. The matchmaking activity is funded by the European Comission and the feedback of your participation is required under this activity. You are asked to notify any collaboration agreements that you reach with other matchmaking participants to the organizer and/or co-organizer. This information will be treated confidentially.

b2match mobile app

Once registered to the matchmaking event, you can also book & manage meetings and send messages to other participants in the b2match mobile app, which is available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

See the full b2match participant guide for more instructions.