FiBAN Angel Awards 2025: Celebrating the People Behind the Impact
The FiBAN Angel Awards have been a key part of FiBAN’s history since the early days. Each year, they highlight individuals and partners who have made a significant impact on the Finnish and Nordic startup ecosystem through active investing, collaboration, and support.
In addition to the awards, the evening included a raffle with prizes from Radisson (a hotel gift card) and the Finnish Chamber of Commerce (a premium training).
Sister BAN Award: Estonian Business Angels Network (EstBAN)
EstBAN received the Sister BAN Award for its ongoing cross-border collaboration with FiBAN. The partnership has supported the development of the broader Nordic-Baltic early-stage investment landscape.
Exit of the Year: AMD – Silo AI and FiBAN Angels Harry Brade & Mikko Leino
Silo AI’s exit to AMD was awarded Exit of the Year. FiBAN angels Harry Brade and Mikko Leino were early investors in the company and remained involved throughout its growth journey.
Business Angel of the Year: Mikko Nurminen
Mikko Nurminen was recognized as Business Angel of the Year for his strong activity both as an angel investor and as an entrepreneur. His hands-on involvement and consistent deal flow contributions stood out in 2024. Also read Mikko Nurminen’s interview regarding the funding round of Hostway.
Newcomer of the Year: Paulina Piippo
Paulina Piippo received the Newcomer of the Year award for her active participation in the FiBAN community and strong start in angel investing.
Guardian Angel of the Year: Reima Linnanvirta
Reima Linnanvirta was named Guardian Angel of the Year for his long-term commitment to supporting FiBAN and the Finnish startup ecosystem. His role in advocacy, board work, and mentoring has been central. Reima Linnanvirta is also an EBAN Board Member, and a partner at Trind.vc.
Most Active Angel: Pekka Samuelsson
Pekka Samuelsson was awarded Most Active Angel of 2024. He ranked among the top community participants and investors and led a large syndicate into a new industry last summer. Pekka Samuelsson led the investment round of Dobbelgänger, a company that raised 920 000 euros in a co-investment round of 16 angels, Innovestor and Lifeline Ventures.
Honorary Membership: Ainomaija Haarla
Ainomaija Haarla was granted FiBAN Honorary Membership for her long-standing contributions to the network and to advancing angel investing in Finland. Ainomaija Haarla has also received the Business Angel of the Year award in 2020.
Partner of the Year: Innovestor
Innovestor was selected as Partner of the Year for its role in boosting FiBAN angel rounds and driving collaboration between investors and growth companies. Innovestor is in charge of the Angel Co-fund that co-invests with angel syndicates in Finnish seed companies, offering funding, support, and due diligence to help these companies scale and succeed.
Juha Kurkinen Award: Business Finland VC
Business Finland VC received the Juha Kurkinen Award for launching the €30M Kanssasijoitusrahasto (Co-Investment Fund), which strengthens early-stage funding opportunities in Finland. The award also recognized the work of Petri Serenius, Asseri Lehtiniemi, the late Esko Raunio, and many others behind the initiative.
FiBAN congratulates all the winners and thanks the community for building 15 years of impact in early-stage investing.