Johanna serves as an Investment Manager at FIBAN’s partner Invesdor, Europe’s largest impact investing platform, which has supported numerous startup success stories, including FiBAN angel portfolio companies like Heeros. Her impressive background in the startup and innovation sector makes her a valuable asset to our community.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
My journey has been multifaceted, encompassing roles as a founder, startup mentor, innovation leader, and aspiring angel investor. My entrepreneurial spark ignited during my tenure at Nokia Ventures, leading me to establish my own company, which I pitched at FiBAN’s Pitch Finland and Slush. Although I eventually closed that venture, my passion for startups remained strong. In May, I joined Invesdor, furthering my involvement in the startup ecosystem by facilitating equity and debt financing.
As an Innovation Director at Neste and Wärtsilä, I scouted promising startups and actively engaged in startup collaboration. My experience extends to mentoring in major accelerators like Techstars Energy Accelerator in Oslo, Techstars Sustainability Accelerator in Paris, Startup Wise Guys, and Helsinki Incubator Nexus and Biosphere programs. Mentoring has been invaluable in discovering exciting startups.
What inspired you to attend FiBAN’s certified angel training program?
Given my extensive startup background, I sought out FiBAN’s Certified Angel Training to deepen my financial knowledge and learn from seasoned angel investors. The program provided diverse perspectives that enriched my understanding of angel investing.
What were your key takeaways from the training? Do you plan to make angel investments?
Investing is truly captivating. The training emphasized the importance of diversification and a gradual approach to investment. I plan to make angel investments by diversifying across industries, equity investments, bonds, and geographies. I’ve begun investing in startups through Invesdor, which serves as a great entry point before committing to larger angel investments.
Who would you recommend this certified training program to?
I highly recommend this program to new FiBAN members as an essential starting point. However, even seasoned investors can gain from the continuous learning opportunities it offers. The first module on deal flow and portfolio management was particularly enlightening, providing valuable insights into using AI for portfolio building and due diligence.
What was your biggest Aha Moment during this program?
The discussions on valuation, deal-flow pipeline formation, and due diligence processes were eye-opening. While I was familiar with these concepts, hearing varied perspectives was incredibly beneficial. I also gained insights into syndication roles, understanding how each angel brings unique value to the table. The training reinforced the importance of leveraging an investor’s network to actively support entrepreneurs.
Why get certified as an angel investor?
- Ensures you know the basics of angel investing, from deal sourcing to due diligence and recognizing investable startups.
- Connect with peers and exchange experiences and best practices.
- Learn from top angel investors: how to manage your portfolio, how to source deals, and which common mistakes to avoid in early-stage investing.
- Ensures you know how to follow well-tried investment practices that serve both investors and founders. As a FiBAN member, you can access SH and other agreement templates and ongoing investor training, including certified angel training organized twice a year.
Learn how to get certified as an angel investor, or join our Angel Training Online.
Questions about FiBAN’s training? Contact FiBAN’s Training & Development Manager, Mari Kirjalainen.
