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With experience, determination, and a straightforward approach.
With experience, determination, and a straightforward approach.
I bring positive value to business with experience, determination, and a straightforward approach. I work as an entrepreneur, investor, and as the CEO of Espoon Yrittäjät, helping SMEs grow and succeed.
I’m a professional in international business, with over 20 years of executive experience in large publicly listed companies (e.g. Nokia, Ericsson, Teleste, Flextronics), as well as in growth companies and startups.
I’ve co-founded and led one of the fastest-growing IT startups in Finland, which was successfully sold to IBM as the exit deal of the year.
Currently, I serve as the CEO of Espoon Yrittäjät, chair of the board for five companies, and an active investor in tech and internationally expanding businesses.
“What would you do if you
weren’t afraid of anything?”
“What would you do if you weren’t afraid of anything?”
“What would you do if you weren’t afraid of anything?”
Demanding, fair, and engaging –
High goals and a straightforward way of getting things done.
Expertise and versatility
Strengths
- International sales and marketing
- Strategy and growth
- Mergers & acquisitions, financing, digitalisation
- Leading through change: from saving a business to creating growth
Style
- Approachable
- Determined
- Direct
- Effective
- Demanding, but fair
- Engaging
Roles
- Board professional
- CEO
- Chairperson
- Investor
- Mentor and sparring partner
Board Professional
I have served on the boards of about ten SMEs, often as chairperson, especially in tech and growth companies.
I bring clarity, determination, and the ability to set and reach ambitious goals to the boardroom.
My core expertise lies in strategy execution, accelerating growth, and long-term development of shareholder value.
Achievements
- As chairperson, I led a company to significant growth and a successful sale to an international buyer
- Several ongoing growth stories, including a northern Finnish company that recently secured major funding for international expansion
CEO
I’ve served as CEO for Nokia country organisations as well as startups and international companies.
My most notable achievements include founding and leading Finland’s fastest-growing startup, which resulted in a significant international exit, and driving the growth and internationalisation of multiple companies.
My leadership principles
- Demanding
- Fair
- Engaging
- High goals and straightforward execution
Investor
.I invest in tech-focused companies aiming for international markets and already showing commercial traction. I’m an active investor and sparring partner, regularly in touch with the company’s leadership.
I bring experience, clarity, a wide network, and hands-on support for development.
My typical early-stage investments are 50k€, and collective investments 200–1000k€, backed by several other angel investors or VCs.
Mentor and sparring partner
I coach and mentor especially CEOs, entrepreneurs, and key personnel in growth companies. I typically support leadership, strategic clarity, funding questions, and career transitions from both business and individual perspectives.
Mentoring usually takes place monthly in two-hour sparring sessions. It’s particularly suited for business professionals seeking a new direction in their career or entrepreneurship.
Who am I the right partner for?
I’m at my best with early-stage startups that already have commercial traction and the ability to grow internationally.
It’s worth contacting me early on. I’m happy to follow your development and offer sparring before making any investment decisions.
Explore my blog
In my blog, I share insights, stories, and lessons learned along the way. You’ll find practical tips for growing your business, thoughts on entrepreneurship, and get to know my personal journey. I hope my writings inspire you and offer fresh perspectives on business.
When every SME hires two new employees – unemployment disappears from Espoo!
13.11.2025
Large corporations have long been the cornerstone of the economy. They are stable and generate consistent financial returns, but they are rarely engines of growth. Workforce is often reduced through operational efficiency measures, and little to no public support is needed.
Startups, on the other hand, are media darlings. Success stories like Wolt and Iceye inspire us all, but in the broader economy, startups still play a marginal role. Finland has around 2,200 startups employing a total of about 20,000 people. Salaries tend to be low, corporate taxes are rarely paid, and public support is significant. This is great and important — but not yet decisive for the national economy.
SMEs are the true backbone of the economy. Hundreds of thousands of companies with fewer than 200 employees pay salaries, taxes, and keep the wheels of society turning.
Occupational health care – a business advantage or a cost?
2.11.2025
As an entrepreneur and former employee, I’ve always appreciated occupational healthcare. Its speed and efficiency are undeniable. I recently tested the response times myself: I got an appointment with an occupational doctor in 28 minutes, whereas I’m still waiting for a callback from the local health centre. Recovering work ability quickly is not only important from a humane perspective but also critical for business.
Of course, there is room for improvement in the system. Pricing is not individualised enough, prices have risen, and treatments are sometimes offered beyond what’s necessary. There’s also room for improvement in how both employers and employees operate: billing transparency must be demanded, and the use of additional services should be more carefully considered.
Occupational healthcare can technically be replaced by insurance, but is that truly a better solution? That’s worth reflecting on. There are also entrepreneurs who, even now, don’t offer any occupational healthcare at all.