Taneli Tikka

Taneli Tikka is a Finnish serial entrepreneur, technology executive, and angel investor recognised for his exceptional ability to drive innovation and scale ventures across finance, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things. Over 25 years, he has raised approximately €3.5 billion in capital, founded multiple successful startups with several exits, served in top leadership roles at publicly listed corporations including as Head of Innovation at Tieto Corporation, and advised more than 30 companies as a board member. His expertise empowers organisations to navigate digital transformation confidently, equipping leaders with practical strategies for implementing AI, fostering entrepreneurial thinking, and building resilient, future-ready teams that thrive amid technological change.

More than two decades ago, Taneli Tikka walked away from a secure engineering position at Nokia to launch his first startup, setting in motion an entrepreneurial journey that would eventually see him raise approximately €3.5 billion in capital across ventures spanning software, data, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things. His career has encompassed the full spectrum of entrepreneurial experience, from notable failures that shaped his approach to multiple successful exits that established his reputation. Throughout this journey, he has held leadership positions across an impressive range of companies, including IRC-Galleria, Dopplr, Soprano Plc, and TLD Registry, which pioneered the sale of Chinese domain names globally. His three tours of duty in the top leadership of publicly listed corporations, serving as division president, Chief Operating Officer, and Head of Innovation at Tieto Corporation, demonstrate his ability to drive transformation at scale whilst maintaining the agility and vision of a startup founder.

Taneli's credentials extend well beyond operational leadership into the strategic architecture of Finland's technology ecosystem. He has served as a board member or advisor to more than 30 companies, including MTV3 media group, Kemppi, Stardoll, Applifier, and Web of Trust, applying hard-won insights from closing 16 venture rounds as an entrepreneur and investing as a business angel in carefully selected companies. His appointment as chairman of the AI group at Technology Industries in Finland underscored his role in shaping national technology policy, bringing together commercial expertise with forward-thinking research. As a general partner at Epistemic.vc and co-founder of the Startup Foundation, he continues to provide essential funding and mentorship to emerging entrepreneurs. His executive education at Aalto University, where he graduated first in academic standing from the Executive MBA class of 2004, and his completion of the Owner/President Management programme at IMD have equipped him with frameworks in leadership, strategy, and cross-cultural management that inform his work across diverse organisational contexts.

Taneli transforms complex technological concepts into practical strategies that leaders can implement immediately within their organisations. Drawing on more than 450 paid keynote presentations and his work as an executive coach, he helps audiences understand how artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital transformation affect jobs, wellbeing, and leadership in tangible, measurable ways. His speaking engagements equip executives with the confidence to navigate technological disruption, foster entrepreneurial thinking within established structures, and build resilient teams capable of thriving amid constant change. Audiences leave with actionable frameworks for implementing innovation, clear perspectives on venture capital and risk financing, and renewed conviction that technological advancement, when approached strategically, creates opportunity rather than uncertainty. His ability to connect boardroom strategy with startup agility makes him particularly valuable for organisations seeking to balance growth with sustainable innovation.