The board of directors of the Finnish Venture Capital Association elected one new board member and three new deputy board members at the association’s annual meeting. Maria Wasastjerna from Kvanted Ventures was elected as a board member. Reima Linnanvirta from Trind Ventures, Mari Simula from CapMan, and Alexander Antas from Mandatum Asset Management were elected as deputy board members. We asked our new board members what in the venture capital and private equity industry inspires them, and for their views on the market for the ongoing year.
Maria Wasastjerna is the founding partner and CEO of Kvanted Ventures, a fund investing in industrial technology. Before becoming a venture capital investor, Wasastjerna gained over 15 years of extensive international experience in business law, serving as a partner at a law firm, corporate lawyer at Nokia, and Head of Legal at a startup. She holds a PhD in law and has researched competition in digital markets. Additionally, Wasastjerna hosts the Leadcast podcast. In her free time, she enjoys running, boxing, spending time in the archipelago, and participating in her children’s hobbies.
“The role of VC/PE is significant in the Finnish economy. Especially from Kvanted’s perspective, whose investment strategy focuses on a more sustainable and efficient industry, I believe that VC/PE plays a crucial role in the economic growth and competitiveness of Finland and Northern Europe. What excites me the most about the industry, particularly in the venture capital segment, is the opportunity to make an impact and the goal of creating international success stories from small, early-stage companies. My hope for 2024 is that the VC/PE industry will become even more diverse, also from the perspective of expertise diversity.”
Reima Linnanvirta is a partner at the venture capital fund Trind Ventures. Before joining Trind in 2022, Reima worked as a full-time angel investor, serving as the Chair of the Finnish Business Angels Network in 2020-2021. Previously, he co-founded Alder, served as Chair of the Board at Innovestor, and worked as a consultant at EY. Reima holds a Master of Laws from the University of Helsinki.
“What fascinates me about VC/PE is the opportunity to help passionate entrepreneurs realize their visions and change the world. As a former entrepreneur, it’s wonderful to see people taking risks and building something new, and I’m glad to be able to help in that process. Nowadays, I look at the VC landscape across Europe, especially concerning the two hottest startup ecosystems in Europe, Finland and Estonia. I believe that 2024 will be the year when, after a couple of challenging years, we will return to normal: good companies will be founded, funding will be available, the exit market will improve, and fundraising for funds will pick up.”
Mari Simula, Head of Fund Investor Relations at CapMan, has over 17 years of experience in international fundraising and business development in the unlisted market. She has been with CapMan since 2007 and has been a member of the company’s Management Group since 2017. Simula holds a degree in industrial engineering. Additionally, she is a former national-level soccer player and enjoys an active lifestyle with her family.
“As active owners, private equity and venture capital investors enable a shift towards well-managed, more sustainable companies, promoting economic prosperity in the process. New jobs and innovations, in turn, create better conditions for societal development. I want to be involved in building a functional society for future generations,” Simula states.
“The fundraising market has slowed down compared to record years, but the growth prospects for the industry are still good. It’s great to see that the investor base of private equity funds is becoming more diverse and expanding continuously. In international competition, the Nordic countries are still seen as very attractive VC/PE markets and pioneers in responsible investing. I’m pleased that unlisted investments have solidified their position in institutional investors’ investment programs, and they want to continue investing in the asset class regardless of economic cycles.”
Alexander Antas is the Head of Private Equity at Mandatum Asset Management and the founder of the MAM Growth Equity strategy. Antas has been with MAM since the fall of 2021. Previously, starting in 2008, he worked at Sampo Oyj, focusing on investments in unlisted companies. Antas holds a Master’s degree in Finance from Hanken School of Economics. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and sports.
“I am inspired by the impact in the VC/PE industry. The industry offers a unique opportunity to influence companies’ development through active ownership. Investors bring not only funding but also expertise, networks, and strategic vision, which help companies grow and succeed. VC/PE is an efficient ownership form that generates significant societal impact by increasing the number of jobs, tax revenues, and prosperity. In 2024, the VC/PE market looks interesting. The market is expected to awaken after a couple of rather sluggish years. As interest rates stabilize, transaction market bottlenecks will gradually dissipate, and the financing needs of many interesting companies will be met.”
Juhana Kallio from Intera Partners continues as the Chair of the Board of FVCA. Riku Asikainen, Marika af Enehjelm, Juho Frilander, Juha Peltola, Jussi Sainiemi, and Mia Sirkiä continue as members of the board. Marko Kyyrönen, Jaakko Lampela, Artturi Tarjanne, and Tommi Äijälä continue as deputy board members. A complete list of the association’s board members can be found on our website.
