Team
Maria Wasastjerna
Founding Partner
maria@kvanted.com
Before transitioning into venture capital, Maria was a business lawyer for more than 15 years, working with technology, M&A and digital markets. Her passion lies in the digital transformation of industry, having written her PhD on the data economy. At Kvanted, she focuses on digital and data-driven innovations. With her previous experience from the corporate, regulatory and startup environment alike, she brings unique perspective and skillset to support Kvanted's portfolio companies as they navigate challenges and opportunities in the industrial sector. Known as a people-person, Maria always approaches founders and colleagues with a friendly and encouraging can-do mentality.
Axel Ahlström
Founding Partner
axel@kvanted.com
Axel has an analytical mindset yet a hands-on and pragmatic approach to making things happen. With over ten years of experience in the industrial sector as a private equity investor, strategy consultant, and board member, he has developed deep expertise in the industrial value chain with broad networks across Europe. Axel is known to bring a good amount of energy, determination, and Finnish “sisu” to the table to help founders in good times – and when things get tough. Prior to Kvanted, he worked as an investment professional at Altor Equity Partners and as a consultant at Bain&Company.
Eerik Paasikivi
Founding Partner
eerik@kvanted.com
Eerik has an extensive experience in early-stage investing in the industrial sector. Before co-founding Kvanted, Eerik spent over a decade managing venture capital firm Valve Ventures, supporting startups such as Sulapac, Infinited Fiber and Norsepower among multiple others. With his broad knowledge across the European industrial ecosystem and strong networks, he is always ready to connect founders with industrial stakeholders. As an early investor in several sustainability-focused companies, Eerik is the go-to person for entrepreneurs looking to build something meaningful in the realm of industrial value chain. Eerik is especially enthusiastic to hear about new material innovations looking to take off.
Combining deep industry know-how with hands-on experience
Henna Keränen
Venture Scout and Nordic Network Advisor
henna.keranen@kvanted.com
Spearheading Kvanted’s Nordics & Networks efforts, Henna is dedicated to establishing collaboration opportunities, scouting startups, and bridging connections between Kvanted and the key ecosystem players within the Nordics. With extensive experience in working with startups and innovation, Henna serves as the go-to person in the team for those seeking to explore different collaboration opportunities.
Jenni Suhonen
Finance and Operations Manager
jenni@kvanted.com
Jenni holds a double degree from Aalto University and CEMS MIM, with majors in accounting and international management. As the Finance and Operations Manager at Kvanted, her role extends to overseeing financial reporting, budgeting, and ensuring the smooth operation of day-to-day work at Kvanted HQ. With previous experience in private equity as a Controller at Juuri Partners, and at the fast-growing fast-casual restaurant chain Fafa’s, Jenni thrives in a dynamic, start-up-like environment where change is constant and rapid.
Joshua Linder
Investment Intern
joshua@kvanted.com
Joshua holds an M.Sc. in Finance from Hanken School of Economics and has experience in management consulting, investment banking, and the scale-up environment. Before joining Kvanted, he worked at the Boston Consulting Group in Helsinki and Danske Bank Corporate Finance in Stockholm.
Vilhelm Wilén
Project Intern
vilhelm@kvanted.com
Vilhelm, passionate about new technology and with an M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and Management from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, brings various consulting, investment banking, and investment experience to the team. Before Kvanted, he has worked at Roland Berger, Carnegie, and Karnell. Vilhelm shows enthusiasm for the entire energy buildout theme, with a special interest in energy storage, a crucial part in securing the electrical grid when renewable energy sources surge.
Board Members
Heikki Westerlund
Board Chair
Heikki has over 30 years of experience in venture capital and private equity, and has been elected twice as the Finnish Venture Capitalist of the Year. Former CEO and President of CapMan.
Heikki is currently an active investor and board chair/-member in several listed and private companies.
Ville Kivelä
Board Member
Ville has over 25 years of experience in institutional investing and international investment banking, advising on deals with a focus on industrial manufacturing.
Currently Ville serves as the Chief Investment Officer at Oras Invest.
Sharp focus on foundational industries, exceptional industrial networks and diverse skill sets
Our Venture Partners are industrial sector and growth company experts who actively support both Kvanted's team and our portfolio companies with their knowledge, skills and extensive networks.
Venture Partners
Kai Öistämö
Venture Partner
Kai is the President and CEO of Vaisala. He has over 30 years of experience in large technology corporations, including serving as the Chief Digital Officer at Nokia and the Chief Operating Officer at InterDigital. In addition, Kai is a Board Member at Nokia
Suvi Haimi
Venture Partner
Suvi is the co-founder and CEO of Sulapac, an internationally awarded material innovation company. Prior to becoming a startup entrepreneur, Suvi spent 10 years in leadership positions at universities in Finland and The Netherlands.
Lars Peter Lindfors
Venture Partner
Lars Peter is a Senior Advisor at Neste. With over 30 years of industrial experience in large corporations and renewable energy, chemical, and oil industries, Lars Peter has deep knowledge of business-driven innovations, resource efficiency, and circularity.