THINK BIG 2025

Ironclad professionalism with a twinkle in her eye. Jenni Alexandrova is a journalist, entrepreneur, influencer, and presenter both on stage and on the radio. Having hosted numerous TV and radio programs, Alexandrova knows how to create the right atmosphere for both large gala events and more intimate celebrations.

Esko Valtaoja is Professor Emeritus of Space Science at the University of Turku, author, and lecturer. He has published 270 international scientific publications, written fifteen popular science books, and nearly four hundred newspaper columns. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the Tieto-Finlandia Award and the State Award for Public Information. In the Tiedebarometri survey, he has repeatedly been named the most famous living Finnish researcher.

Olli Sipilä is the CEO of Gasgrid Finland, the transmission system operator responsible for gas transmission system in Finland, as well as the developer of the national hydrogen infrastructure and markets. He is also chairman of the board of Inkoo LNG terminal company and a member of a board of ENTSOG. Mr. Sipilä has previous experience from Pöyry Management Consulting, Deloitte, and ABB. His background of over 20 years includes the entire value chain of the energy industry and several processes aiming towards carbon neutral energy systems.

Dr. Fabian Hinz is the Head of Hydrogen International in ABO Energy.

Andreas F. Brandt, Partner, based in Copenhagen, is an experienced driver of M&A processes, partnerships, and negotiations in industrial groups. 

Mr. Brandt is a partner in Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and the co-head of the Advanced Bioenergy Fund. 

Before joining CIP he was the leader of group support functions and group general counsel in Grundfos a large international group and prior to that he held the position of Director for the Partnerships and Contracts in Ørsted. Furthermore, 

Mr. Brandt has a strong teaching experience and has worked more than 10 years as an external legal M&A advisor in Denmark and in New York, and he holds a master’s degree in law from the University of Copenhagen.

Director General of the North Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment and Head of the Environment and Natural Resources Division. Has worked for many years in various management and expert positions in the chemical industry.

In his opening speech, NIHAK CEO Toni Krankkala will give an overview of the region's development, cooperation, and future opportunities.

Krankkala is known for his active approach to development and strong regional vision.

Markku Kivistö is Head of Cleantech at Business Finland. He promotes international investments in projects related to energy and the built environment, particularly in the hydrogen and battery industries. Kivistö is involved in developing Finland's industrial ecosystems and green transition solutions.

Olli Tuomivaara, CEO, Oomi Solar Oy

Juha Miikkulainen, M.Sc. (Tech.), is Senior Project Developer for Liquid Wind AB's Finnish operations and is based in Helsinki. Juha has extensive experience in various technical development projects in the energy sector, including automation projects at Olkiluoto. Most recently, he worked at Fennovoima in site selection, stakeholder cooperation, and development tasks for a nuclear power plant. Liquid Wind is a leading project developer of synthetic methanol production plants and has several projects under development in the Nordic countries.

Jonna Tamminen is the mayor of Haapajärvi. She is an experienced municipal manager who believes in the power of cooperation, courage, and continuous development. Jonna is particularly inspired by building vitality and well-being together with other actors in the region.

Päivi Karikumpu serves as Mayor of Nivala.

Matti Heikkinen is the Sales Director at GRK Suomi Oy. He is responsible for private sector clients, with a particular focus on growth opportunities related to the green transition.

GRK is Finland’s largest infrastructure builder, and our core competencies include the implementation of diverse infrastructure construction projects, project management of large projects and extensive track expertise. GRK offers services from design to construction and maintenance. Our customers include the state administration, municipalities, cities and the private sector. GRK cooperates with other companies on many projects.

Matti Asikainen, M.Sc. (Eng.), is the CEO of NordFuel Oy. His work involves promoting the construction of a modern bioproduct mill in Haapavesi. He is inspired by the innovative nature of the project and the promotion of a cleaner future, without forgetting security of supply. He has previous experience from, among others, David Brown Santalo, WinWinD, and Rautaruukki (Talgo Transtech). Matti is a member of the board of Bioenergia ry.

Veijo Terho has had a long career in the datacenter industry and currently works at Verne as the Manager of Customer Success. His experience spans both the public sector and private companies such as Digifinland, Telia, Tieto, and Nokia. In these roles, he has been involved in numerous datacenter projects across Scandinavia—either in the construction of new facilities or in the modernization of existing ones—serving as a service owner, customer, and technical expert.

Energy efficiency and circular economy have been core values for Veijo in the development of the datacenter industry.

Tuomas Tikka is a leading energy and climate expert at the Chemical Industry Federation of Finland and has extensive expertise in energy and climate policy and related raw material issues in the industry. Tuomas has been responsible for the latest update of the Nature-Positive Carbon Neutral Chemical Industry Roadmap, and his duties also include promoting the transition and investments in the industry.

ing. Sergio Torriani - founder and president of Simplifhy.

Thinkbig in Italy and in Europe: experiences in how to scale hydrogen initiatives.

Fabian is the Senior Business Development Manager at Everllence, where he plays a key role in driving forward innovative solutions in the Power-to-X space. With a background in Industrial Engineering and a specialization in Renewable Energies and Clean Tech, Fabian brings both technical insight and strategic vision to the table.