FiBAN 21/11/2023
“FiBAN consists of its members, and the new board for 2024 is in a great position to start its work after gathering a lot of data from members and stakeholders in the broad survey earlier this year. The results were helping us already in the current board to put together the renewed FiBAN strategy for 2024 – 2026,” Elina describes the transition from 2023 to 2024.
“IT’S ALL ABOUT PEOPLE® – my company’s registered trademark highlights what is important in my thoughts and also in business life: the people, the communities, and how to create synergy amongst humans. As the new chair, I promise to hold the FiBAN community very high on the priority list – how to create even better member services and chances for networking, how to facilitate events where more of our members get to share their knowledge and stories, and how to further lower the hopefully already low bar to contact other members of the FiBAN ecosystem with any angel investing related issue”, she highlights the upcoming focus at FiBAN.
Elina Koivumäki, Chairperson of the Board
After 17 years in large Finnish law firms, Elina Koivumäki quit her partnership and founded her own law firm, Lexperience, in 2016. Elina specializes in legal issues related to sales, marketing, communication, social media, copyright, and data protection. From 2018-2021, she was also a co-founder of the Growpolis startup. Since 2016, Elina has been an angel investor with e.g., Kyrö Distillery Company, Naava, Bonfire Agency, and GraphoGame & Claned in her portfolio, and joined FiBAN in 2020. Elina also works as a professional speaker, moderator, and host and is the author of the awarded “Marketing Law” book series. Elina’s registered trademark is “It’s all about people,” and she strongly believes in the importance of communication skills.
Eljas Repo
Eljas is an entrepreneur in the communications industry and running Repo Media. He is currently the Vice-Chair of the Pro Opera Association, a member of the Board of the Exchange Club, and the Chair of the Badminton Division. He is also a member of the Board of the listed company Ovaro Kiinteistösijoitus Oyj, a member of Taikina Capital, a board member of a few startups, and he is a Senior Advisor at Directors´ Institute Finland.
Ilkka Kaikuvuo
Ilkka is a technology entrepreneur, board professional, startup business angel, and ok-ish endurance athlete working daily with startups and growth companies. Also Co-father of Framery, Surveypal, and a few other companies. An early-stage investor in 20+ companies, mainly in Something-as-as-Service & smart offices. Active Chairperson & member of the board at growth companies from different industries. Interested in growth and learning new things – never forgetting strategic thinking & humane approach! “Looking forward to working in the FIBAN board to make Finland a better place for the startups & investors – one company and story at a time!” he sends his greetings to the FiBAN community.
Antti Lehtimäki
Antti Lehtimäki is a passionate portfolio entrepreneur, angel investor, and strategy consultant with a creative mindset. He has been a FiBAN member since 2017 and has directed the FiBAN operations in the Turku area since 2020. For six years, Antti Lehtimäki worked in Helsinki at Gartner, gathering the key takes for succeeding in technology, market research, and service businesses. After moving back to the Turku region, he has consulted over 100 SME companies with growth strategies. Since 2013, he has also directed the Growth Entrepreneur Service in the South-West Finland region, helping over 1300 SME growth companies with a total of over 5 billion in annual revenue. He has invested in 5 companies and intends to establish a portfolio of 15 companies in the next five years. For FiBAN, Antti brings his regional expertise and growth strategy knowledge of complex business ecosystems.
Pia Kantola
Pia is a technology entrepreneur, start-up business angel, and international business leader with long experience in SW, technology, and technical service industries. She is especially interested in creating growth strategies, developing innovative customer solutions, and scaling businesses globally. As a business angel, she has invested in B2B SaaS and data-driven technology companies. She is also a board member of technology companies.
Pekka Ylitalo
Pekka Ylitalo has been a member of FiBAN since 2020 and is a doctor of medicine, an entrepreneur in Dimerent Oy, and a coach. He brings in his medical expertise, experiences in syndicate investing, and his knowledge of regional growth activities.
More information on the FiBAN Board
Tiina Laisi-Puheloinen
CEO of FiBAN
tiina.laisi-puheloinen@fiban.org