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Terhi Vapola, PhD
Founder & Managing Partner
Terhi is a venture capitalist specialized in greentech and digitalization, with over 40 investments and 18 board positions. She founded and led Helen Ventures, and has co-founded multiple startups. She's Aalto University alumnus with a D.Sc. in International Business, and also holds degrees in Industrial Economics and Electrical Engineering. Her hobbies include sailing, yoga, and badminton.
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Kaisa Hietala
Founder & Chair
Kaisa is an experienced business and sustainability executive who turns environmental challenges into growth opportunities for industrial companies. She played a central role to Neste's evolution into the leading renewable products producer, recognized by HBR as a top transformation. Currently, she serves on the boards of Exxon Mobil, Rio Tinto, and Smurfit Kappa Group, and chairs Tracegrow. Kaisa enjoys cross-country skiing and is a proud member of the Training For Warriors community.
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Ines Bergmann-Nolting
Managing Partner
Ines brings 15 years of experience in energy, cleantech, and venture capital, with expertise in innovation and strategy consulting. As a strategic leader focused on the green transition, she has held roles such as Managing Director and Investment Director, significantly shaping E.ON SE's venture capital efforts and energy portfolio globally since 2013. Ines serves on several boards across Europe and North America, manages a family with two small boys, and relaxes with yoga.
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Manuel Heckmann
Associate Partner
Manuel is an experienced entrepreneur and investor with a focus on impact investing, particularly in green mobility and deep tech. He has a vast network across Europe and contributes to several startup accelerators. Recently, he led the growth of EcoG, a major IoT platform for EV charging in Europe, and has founded four successful ventures. His entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 14. In his next life he wants to be a sea otter. Until then, he collects good karma points as a vegan doing yoga.
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Karin Henriksson
Venture Partner
Karin is an impact entrepreneur and founder of WhistleB, a whistleblowing SaaS solution used in 150 countries. She also established TripleB, an ESG advisory firm, and serves as Vice President at Respect Sustainable Business. Previously, she enhanced digital solutions at Satama Interactive. Karin authored two books, "Sustainable Profit" and a whistleblowing handbook. She enjoys reading and traveling and her spirit animal is a seal.
Petra Koivuvaara
Investment Manager
Petra is an enthusiastic investor and community builder with experience from Maki.vc - a generalist seed-stage fund, where she focused on impactful companies. Previously, she worked at a B2B SaaS startup. Her soccer skills took her to the U.S. for her Bachelor’s, followed by a double Master’s in Accounting and International Management from Aalto University and ESADE. She loves learning new languages and cultures, play almost any sport, and read.
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Helmi Puustinen
Investment Analyst
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Are you our next Finance and Ops Manager?
We are looking for you.
You can find the job description and how to apply: here.
Sari Baldauf
Sari is the Chairwoman of Nokia and has had a board professional career in category-leading companies, such as Fortum, Mercedes-Benz, Deutsche Telecom, Hewlett-Packard, Akzo Nobel, YIT. She was also part of the “dream team” transforming Nokia.
Mika Anttonen
Mika is the founder and owner of the energy and renewables company St1. He is also actively involved in the financing of various projects to combat climate change and eventually replace oil.
Hanna-Maria Heikkinen
Hanna-Maria is a board professional with more than 20 years of professional experience in various roles in the financial markets and industrial companies looking for decarbonisation. She has good understanding of green technologies, transformations and related opportunities in various industries gained during her career in Wärtsilä, Cargotec, Valmet, YIT, Solwers and Helen. She has over ten years of experience as board professional.
JT Bergqvist
Dr. J. T. Bergqvist chairs currently three technology companies. Over the years, he has led operationally several technology businesses and acted as board member or chairman in over 15 companies. He has held leading positions for example at Nokia. His passion is to anticipate sustainable value chain changes and make them happen.
Juha Ristolainen
Juha is a Finnish Tech Executive and NED with 25 years of experience building software products and solutions. Currently building an investment API at Upvest in Berlin, Germany. Keen to support impactful projects across the board solve the difficult problems using technology.
Kaija Pöysti
Kaija has 40 years of experience on successfully founding, growing and coaching companies. She has coached hundreds startups through several incubator programs. Her special interests in advisory work include growth strategy, business model, go-to-market, competitive advantages, and systematic operations, especially on creating new services and operative efficiencies from data, AI and ML.
Kaisa Hernberg
Kaisa Hernberg is a board professional, serial entrepreneur and sustainability expert. She has in-depth knowledge of sustainability legislation and standards, sustainability reporting and DEI, as well as experience of high-level roles in politics, communication and public affairs. She has worked at companies including Business Finland, Helen, DNV and FiBAN.
Per Wassén
Per is a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA), a board member of GU Ventures (University of Gothenburg), and a former Investment Director of Volvo Group Venture Capital. He is an experienced executive manager and board member, with extensive experience within the automotive industry.
Rauha Bato-Liukkonen
Rauha Bato-Liukkonen has proven expertise in leveraging disruption through the development of leadership and customer experience capabilities. She has led many successful business turnarounds and cultural transformations, driving sustainable growth across startup ventures as well as established corporate landscapes spanning diverse industries. Most recently, she played a pivotal role in facilitating Helen Ltd's green transition.
Sebastian Langenskiöld
Sebastian has extensive experience in enterprise software and ecosystems, having supported and coached 50+ companies to international growth. His background in entrepreneurship and executive board positions has shaped key partnerships and strategies for market expansion. Sebastian excels in identifying strategic investments and building lasting business relationships.
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Sampo Lehtiniemi
Sampo is a highly experienced senior strategy advisor, specializing in portfolio design, transformation, and management advisory. He has successfully guided companies in developing business areas and cultural shifts, suited the spirit of the times. Known for his hands-on approach, Sampo is a strategic thinker who aligns teams for change and fosters strong partnerships with business leaders, helping them to achieve their ambitions.
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