Theme: Reimagine Everything: The Power of Unseen Connections

TEDxAalto University, held in conjunction with the series of opening events of the Marsio Building, brings together leading thinkers and innovators to explore the theme, Reimagine Everything: The Power of Unseen Connections.

This dynamic event will feature 13 speakers, each sharing their unique insights on the hidden forces shaping our world.

Open to everyone, TEDxAalto University invites you to connect, explore, and discover how unseen connections can lead to transformative change.

Marsio
Otakaari 2
Espoo, Uusimaa, 02150
Finland

Aashish Sah

Doctoral Candidate in Quantum Computing

Aashish Sah is a doctoral candidate at Aalto University specializing in quantum computing, with a focus on superconducting qubit control. He is also the co-founder of Wudpecker and has extensive experience as a teaching assistant in quantum physics and artificial intelligence. Sah has contributed to numerous research projects in quantum computing, AI, and nanotechnology, with publications in respected journals. His expertise in experimental quantum computing has earned him recognition through research funding and academic awards.

Frank Martela

Philosopher, Author

Frank Martela, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at Aalto University, specializing in motivation, meaning, and well-being, particularly in the context of work life. He holds two PhDs—one in organizational research (Aalto University, 2012) and another in moral philosophy (University of Helsinki, 2019). His scientific work has been published in top journals such as Perspectives on Psychological Science, Nature Human Behaviour, Journal of Personality, Academy of Management Review, and Southern Journal of Philosophy. Martela has also written for Scientific American Mind, CNBC, and Harvard Business Review, and has been interviewed by major media outlets including CNN, BBC, NBC, The New York Times, New Scientist, and Le Monde. His book A Wonderful Life: Insights on Finding a Meaningful Experience (HarperCollins, 2020) has been translated into 29 languages.

Helena Åhman

Professor of Practice at the University of Turku School of Economics, Head of the Nordic Negotiation Center

Dr. Helena Åhman is a Professor of Practice at the University of Turku School of Economics and Head of the Nordic Negotiation Center. She is the first Professor of Practice focused on demanding conversations, negotiations, and conflicts. Passionate about exploration, Åhman has studied negotiation at Harvard, mediation in London, and trained with five hostage negotiators worldwide. She has interviewed peace mediators and astronauts to uncover the secrets of success in high-pressure situations. Known for blending scientific research, compelling stories, art, and practical advice, she is a sought-after speaker, coach for executive teams and boards, and former head of global senior management development at Nokia Networks. Åhman is a three-time winner of Finland’s best business book award, has been recognized as one of Finland’s top speakers multiple times, and received the global PR prize from the Junior Chamber International in South Korea.

Iida Mäkikallio

Psychologist, Executive Coach

Iida Mäkikallio (M.Sc. Psych) is a Finnish psychologist, executive coach, and speaker specializing in relationship dynamics, emotional intelligence, and psychological well-being. She has deep insight into the factors that build cultures of courage and trust and is passionate about helping organizations and individuals thrive from the inside out. Mäkikallio combines foresight and future studies with a deep understanding of human behavior and a systemic approach to organizations. She works with both teams and executives to develop emotional and relational intelligence, eFective communication, and foster intrinsic motivation at work. Her clients range from multinational corporations to startups.

Iiro Välimäki

Medical Doctor

Iiro Välimäki is the founder and CEO of Lääkärikekus Fenix. He has a PhD of medical sciences and done research in the field of human physiology. Välimäki is medical advisor and partner of Frendie, which prevents loneliness at work and leisure time, promoting social well-being through its developed technology. The service provides organizations with social responsibility reports. Välimäki is a venture capital investor in over 10 companies such as Ductor, Tamturbo, Fender, Decentum, TILT biotherapeutics and NewIcon. He is also a board member of Helsinki Chamber of Commerce.

Jyri Engeström

Partner, Investor

Jyri Engeström is a Partner at Lifeline Ventures, Finland's premiere venture capital firm, and co-founder of Yes VC, a venture capital firm in San Francisco. Together with his partners they have built and backed more than a dozen “unicorn” startups with a combined value of over $50 billion, including Unity, Oura, Iceye, and Boom Supersonic. Engeström’s entrepreneurial journey began with Jaiku, a mobile social networking service he and his partner Petteri Koponen sold to Google in 2007. He sold his second company Ditto, a recommendation service, to Groupon in 2012. He was first money in Oura, the smart ring, and Iceye, the world’s largest radar satellite constellation. In 2020 he founded Primary Diagnostics, a healthcare platform serving tens of millions of people across the U.S.

Karoliina Kauhanen

Founder of Commu

Karoliina Kauhanen is one of the founders of Commu App, often described as "Tinder for Good Deeds." Commu is a platform where users can both request and offer help, whether at home or at work. In just two years, over 25,000 good deeds have been facilitated through the app, ranging from neighbors helping each other to corporate initiatives in Finland, Norway, and Germany. Commu has received several national and international awards, including winning the largest innovation competition in the Nordics, and has been recognized by the United Nations for its contributions to peace and civil activism. In 2024, Kauhanen was the only woman from Finland featured on the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

Otto Söderlund

Co-Founder & CEO at Speechly (YC W22)

Otto Söderlund is a technology entrepreneur with deep expertise in machine learning and AI applications. He began programming at the age of 10 and has been passionate about technology ever since. After discovering Karl Sims’ Evolved Virtual Creatures in 1994, Söderlund realized the transformative potential of AI. He studied computer science and AI at Helsinki University of Technology and worked as a software developer at a SaaS startup. Söderlund later co-founded a leading Nordic digital management consultancy, which he sold in 2015. In 2018, he co-founded Speechly, a deep learning startup specializing in speech recognition, which went through the Y Combinator startup accelerator and was acquired by Roblox in 2023. Currently, Söderlund advises startups and works with companies like Bell Labs on AI commercialization while developing his next venture.

Reidar Wasenius

Voice Actor, Entrepreneur

Reidar Wasenius is the CEO and co-founder of Lexofon Ltd, a provider of premium AI-generated speech. His extensive tech experience includes roles at Nokia (twice), Samsung, TeliaSonera/Telecom Finland, Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), and the Finnish funding agency Tekes (now Business Finland). In the media industry, he has worked for the Finnish National Broadcasting Company YLE, as well as several commercial radio and TV channels. As an educator, Wasenius has taught at all levels of the Finnish education system, primarily in adult education, and was the founding director of the BSc program in Media and Communications at Arcada UAS. Recently, he returned to Otaniemi to continue his studies in computer science, focusing on HCI and AI. His latest book, Personal Brainer (WSOY 2016), co-authored with neurobiologist Tiina Huttu, was well received. You may recognize his voice, as Wasenius speaks to you in multiple languages on your phone and during train journeys in Finland.

Risto Siilasmaa

Chairman of WithSecure Corporation

Risto is the founder of F-Secure and WithSecure, and currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors at WithSecure, where he was President and CEO from 1988 to 2006. He is also an active venture capital investor, with over 30 investments through First Fellow Partners, a fund management company where he is both a general partner and the sole limited partner. Previously, Siilasmaa served as Chair of the Board of Directors at Nokia Corporation (2012–2020) and Elisa Corporation (2008–2012). He is currently Chair of the Board at Upright and a board member at F-Secure, Futurice, Pixieray, Quanscient, Hamina Wireless, and CybExer Technologies. Since 2019, Siilasmaa has been a member of the International Advisory Board at IESE Business School, University of Navarra.

Tarun Sharma

Partner & COO Nokia Ventures

Tarun Sharma is the Partner & COO of Nokia Ventures, with expertise in venture building, fund management, and driving growth across incubators, accelerators, and scale-ups. He specializes in building high-growth, technology-driven businesses and fostering innovation through collaboration with entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and CXOs. With leadership experience at top Fortune 100 companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Nokia, as well as in startups, Sharma has led roles such as CEO, COO, Head of Growth, and New Ventures Lead, excelling in strategy, business development, and digital transformation.

Timo Vuori

Strategy Professor

Timo Vuori is transforming how leaders approach strategy by revealing the powerful role emotions play in decision-making. A globally recognized expert in strategic management and emotional dynamics, Vuori’s groundbreaking research on the emotional factors behind Nokia’s downfall has been widely cited and featured in publications such as Forbes, Fortune, and the Financial Times, sparking widespread discussion in the business world. Vuori works closely with senior management teams, helping them make more effective strategic decisions by managing emotional dynamics and creating conditions for successful strategy execution. He is also the author of two highly regarded books on dynamic strategy-making and platform strategy, written in collaboration with top executives.