My dream and work is to create new things and get them to work in practice. I don’t take easy paths. I started my first business when I was 16. I have started a few startups, most of them being pioneers in their areas and built significant global business, invested in startups, and worked for ...
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My dream and work is to create new things and get them to work in practice. I don’t take easy paths. I started my first business when I was 16. I have started a few startups, most of them being pioneers in their areas and built significant global business, invested in startups, and worked for global corporations where I did significant turnaround and new business projects.
I focus on data, analytics, fintech, and ML/AI solutions. I am very hands-on in my startups. I have vast experience of international business in Asia, Europe, and North America; I have lived and/or worked in Monaco, London, Austin, San Francisco, Singapore, Helsinki, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.
I hold three academic degrees in philosophy, finance and computer science, and a pilot license. I have written books and to publications (business, technology, politics, military) and lived on three continents. I have never followed recommended career paths, and I believe broad knowledge and the right attitude is the way to get things happen and also make the world a better place.
I have a strong track record to pioneer new businesses and technology. I have been a founder in companies that have been first in the world to make social network analytics for marketing and risk management, equity crowdfunding (participated in influencing on the US President and Congress to change regulation) and user-held data models (patents since 2005).
I have often been the first one to get first customers in new countries and managed personally up to $40M annual sales. In corporations I started new business units, setup European operations for a US company, and made a total turnaround for an Asian joint-venture. I have also been an external expert for work groups of the EU Council, US government, MIT Enterprise Program, Vietnam Innovation Program and the Finnish Defence Forces.
My startups have also raised significant funding, but at the same time I always prefer strong business and revenue over fancy VC deal announcements.
I plan to do unexpected things also in the future.
I regularly speak about new technology and business in conferences and media including CNBC Squawk Box, SXSW, MWC, Drucker Forum and Horasis. I have been listed as a World Influencer in the Digital Industry and Fintech.
I hold an MBA from Aalto University and McCombs School of Business, at University of Texas, Austin and a M.Sc. from the School of Science, at Aalto University, and B.Soc.Sc. at the University of Helsinki.
Specialties: Serial-entrepreneur, data analytics, ML, AI, fintech, digital health.
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