Elina Koivumäki continues as the chairperson of FiBAN, keeping up her excellent work in leading the board work. With three new board members, the FIBAN Board is now more robust, with as many as seven members from various industries and backgrounds who have invested in startups successfully and have the hands-on entrepreneurial and strategic experience to share with the startup ecosystem.
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 data protection, marketing, communications, and copyright, as well as their AI-related topics. From 2018-2021, she was also a co-founder of the Growpolis startup. Since 2016, Elina has been an angel investor in nearly 10 companies, e.g., Kyrö Distillery Company, GraphoGame, Naava, and Bonfire Agency, in her portfolio, and she joined FiBAN in 2020. Elina is a professional speaker, moderator, and the author of the awarded book series “Marketing Law”. Elina’s registered trademark is “It’s all about people,” and she strongly believes in the importance of communication skills and communities.
Ilkka Kaikuvuo (Vice Chairperson of the Board)
Ilkka is a technology entrepreneur, board professional, startup business angel, and okay-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! “I’m 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. A FiBAN member since 2017, he directed the FiBAN operations in the Turku area since 2020. He worked at Gartner for 6 years, gathering the key takes for succeeding in technology, market research, and service businesses. He has consulted over 100 SME companies with growth strategies and directed the Growth Entrepreneur Service in the South-West Finland region, helping over 1300 SME growth companies with over 5 billion in annual revenue. He has invested in 5 companies and aims for a portfolio of 15. For the FiBAN board, Antti’s regional expertise and knowledge of growth strategy are great assets.
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. His experience in syndicate investing, experience in the medical care industry, and knowledge of regional growth activities are vital assets for FiBAN’s board work and the development of the Finnish angel investment landscape.
Irene Viinikkala
Irene Viinikkala brings over 15 years of valuable experience in strategy, change management, and business development, making her an excellent candidate for a board position in an investor network. As an entrepreneur, co-founder, and angel investor, she has a broad understanding of the different stages of business growth, goals, and financing needs—crucial for supporting companies in an investor network. Her strong expertise in network leadership and experience in C-level negotiations across industries position her as a strategic asset.
Jarkko Forsberg
Jarkko Forsberg is an experienced leader with a strong background in building, managing, and successfully exiting growth companies. As the co-founder of TJ LVS Brokers Oy (2016-2022), which exited to Sabla Group/Nordic Capital, Jarkko has firsthand experience in scaling businesses. Jarkko approaches angel investing with a fresh perspective, having learned valuable lessons through his entrepreneurial journey with over 15 portfolio companies.
Hanna Nyholm
Hanna Nyholm, a FiBAN member since 2020, is an investor, angel investor, entrepreneur, executive coach, and startup mentor with an MBA.
She founded Shevestments to support female investors and women-led companies, advocating for greater diversity in the investment landscape. With over 20 years of international experience, Nyholm has helped grow companies from idea to international markets and built a strong network within the startup, venture capital, and M&A ecosystems. She plays a key role in expanding FiBAN’s international reach and diversity.
