Design the Future

Together

DASH is the premier design sprint connecting Helsinki & Espoo.
Join us again for an immersive experience in March 2026 where creativity meets AI innovation

Design the Future

Together

DASH is the premier design sprint connecting Helsinki & Espoo.
Join us again for an immersive experience in 2025 where creativity meets AI innovation.

Join the DASHCommunity

Whether you're creating, supporting, or sponsoring – there's a place for you at DASH

Participant

Join the sprint and bring your ideas to life

As a participant, you'll collaborate with students, early-career talents and innovators to solve real-world challenges. Work in cross-functional teams, learn from industry experts, and prototype solutions that matter.

What you get:

Access to industry mentors

Networking with professionals

Hands-on tools and workshops

Certificate of completion

Potential job opportunities

Participate in DASH

Partner

Collaborate with us to shape the future of design

Dash offers you a unique opportunity to engage with a highly talented, diverse pool of students, providing fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to your pressing problems.

Why be a partner?

Discover R&D Opportunities

Access a diverse talent pool

Maximise brand visibility

Partner with DASH

Volunteer

Help us make the magic happen behind the scenes

Volunteers are the backbone of DASH. Help with registration, guide participants, assist mentors, and ensure everything runs smoothly. It's a great way to be part of the community while gaining behind-the-scenes experience of a major design event.

What you get:

Access to all sessions

Meals and refreshments

DASH merchandise

Networking opportunity

Build lasting connections

Volunteer at DASH

Trusted byIndustry Leaders

Join the companies shaping the future of design

DASH 2025:AI-powered Design

Explore the future of design through artificial intelligence and human creativity

DASH Sprint

3 days. Real challenges. Bold ideas. Design thinking.

27-29 Mar 2026

Location, TBA

The DASH Sprint isn’t your typical hackathon. It’s made for designers, creatives, and curious minds who want to turn ideas into reality.

Join cross-functional teams to tackle real-world challenges provided by our partners. Guided by experienced mentors interdiciplinary teams move from insight to prototype, fast.

This is your chance to experiment, collaborate, and push boundaries in design, business, and technology.

What to expect:

· Mentorship from industry leaders
· All meals and refreshments
· Networking events and after-party
· Certificate and portfolio pieces

Join DASH 2026

DASH Bits

Bite-sized events throughout the year

Each session dives into the bold ideas shaping our AI-driven future from design thinking to emerging tech, and the human creativity in between.

Think bite-sized. Think bold. Think brilliant.

Bit #1: Think, Design, Transform: Business Reinvention with AI

Past event

Aly Metwaly, Transformation Manager at Nokia, Startup Advisor, Angel Investor

Bit #2: Innovation Beyond Borders: Co-Creating the Future of Smart Cities

Past event

Satu Reijonen, Project Manager at Forum Virium & Head of Innovation at FinEst

Bit #3: Building on Shifting Ground: Why Creativity Still Matters

November 5th, 18.00-20.00

The Stage, Aalto Design Factory

Sami Niemelä, Head of Design at InParallel  and  startup founder

What does it take to build meaning, value, and beauty in today's world?

AI is changing how we imagine, build, and create. Still, this just might be the new golden age of design.

Sami Niemelä, Head of Design at InParallel, will share his journey of building an AI-native platform from the ground up.

Register
Bit #4: TBA

Join thecommunity

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Our Story

We've come a long, long way together

It was the year 2017, when two students from Aalto University realized a great problem existed. Businesses and startups kept on growing in Finland, but something vital was commonly left out – design. The void had to be filled and DASH Design was born.

Nowadays, DASH is a growing movement that calls for creative problem-solving methods in all aspects of life. By using the methods of design thinking, we connect students and professionals from all fields of study to tackle complex challenges together.

During the past five years, we have been organizing weekend-long hackathons and creative sprints, for multidisciplinary teams to work on challenges provided by our partner companies.

1500 +

8 years

of design thinking

45 +

Meet theDASH Team

DASH is run by a small team of 20 passionate people, meet some of the faces who make DASH possible.

Monika Bednarska

CEO

monika.bednarska@dash.design
Vedant Athreya

Head of Partnerships

vedaant@dash.design
Jenny Nyman

Head of Marketing

jenny.nyman@dash.design
Vee Ng

Head of People

vee.ng@dash.design

PartnerTestimonials

Don't just take our word for it!

“Everybody who’s worked in a bigger corporation knows that, yes of course we have brilliant people, but there is also even more brilliant people outside your own organization and many of those are here at Dash. So why aren’t you here already."

Peter Vesterbacka

Last year Dash was such a success. We got lot of ideas. One of them even got to top 3 of Kalmar’s innovation challenge competition, and we decided we wanted to participate also this year, just to get more ideas to our innovation funnel."

Miikka Murremäki

DASH 2026FAQ

Everything you need to know about DASH Sprint 2026 & DASH Bits

What is DASH and who can participate?

We’re a community for interdisciplinary minds — a space where students, early-career talents, and creatives from all backgrounds come together to practice design, design thinking, and challenge themselves to build something that matters.

What makes DASH 2026 special?

This year, we're focusing on the intersection of AI and human-centered design. Participants will have access to cutting-edge AI tools, work with industry mentors, and explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the design landscape.

What's the difference between DASH Sprint and DASH Bits?

DASH Sprint is a 3-day intensive workshop where teams collaborate on real challenges. DASH Bits are smaller, evening keynote events throughout the year featuring thought leaders discussing specific aspects of AI in design.

Do I need AI experience to participate?

Not at all! DASH 2026 is designed for all skill levels. We'll provide training on AI tools and pair beginners with experienced mentors. The focus is on learning and collaboration, not prior expertise.

What does participation in the Sprint include?

Participants gain access to all workshops and sessions, meals and refreshments throughout the event, networking events, mentorship, access to premium AI design tools, and all materials needed for the Sprint.

How do team formations work?

Teams are formed prior to the event based on project interests and complementary skills. In line with the DASH vision, each team includes at least one design, one tech, and one business mind to maximize learning and foster  interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

Can I attend remotely?

The Main Sprint is designed as an in-person experience to maximize collaboration and networking. However, some DASH Bits sessions may offer hybrid attendance options. Check individual event details for specific arrangements.

What should I bring to the Sprint?

Bring your laptop, chargers, a notebook for sketching, and comfortable clothes for three days of intensive collaboration. We'll provide everything else.

Still have a question?

Get in touch