Investors

Key work experience

Pasi Vainikka has studied to become a Master of Science in Energy Economics at LUT University, a Master of Science in Energy Engineering at Cranfield University in England, and obtained a PhD in process chemistry from Åbo Akademi University. In 2002-2017, Vainikka held various positions at VTT as a scientist, a principal scientist, team leader and a member of the strategic steering group for energy research and the steering group for contract research. In 2014-2017, Vainikka was the responsible director of the so-called strategic opening of a research program funded by Business Finland. The project is Finland’s largest research program for an energy system based on 100% renewable energy sources to date. Vainikka is a Member of Suomen Teknillisten Tieteiden Akatemia (Finnish Academy of Technical Sciences).

Key work experience

Ilkka Saura has acted as the CFO of Solar Foods since 22 April 2024. He is also the deputy CEO of Solar Foods. Saura has over a decade of experience in financial positions as the Financial Director at the biotechnology company Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd and as an auditor at Deloitte Ltd. Saura has focused particularly on capital market transactions and gained valuable experience in strategic finance, financial negotiations and capital management.

Key work experience

Laura Sinisalo is an expert in brand design, marketing, communication and creative management. Over the years, she has gained extensive experience by leading multidisciplinary teams and global operations of well-known brands, such as Marimekko, and has been involved in shaping brands and communication for an international audience. In addition to a listed company, Sinisalo has also helped smaller companies and start-ups, for example, in brand building and design, as well as in strategic work in various industries. Sinisalo combines art and business into strategies that help companies and their brands and products stand out from their competitors in an impressive way. At Solar Foods, Sinisalo is responsible for brand design and their strategic development, communication and marketing.

Key work experience

Jouni Ahtinen is the Manager of Solar Foods' Factory 01. Ahtinen has worked for more than a decade in biotechnological production processes both in a start-up environment and in the pharmaceutical industry at Novartis in Switzerland. In addition to process development, he has experience from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland within different application areas of biotechnology and synthetic biology, as well as commercialisation and international sales of related innovations.

Key work experience

Troels Nørgaard Laursen has been the company’s Strategy Director since 1 September 2024. He is responsible for analysing markets and identifying opportunities, as well as developing a long-term business strategy based on the company’s mission, aiming to achieve a successful and sustainable business model. Troels Nørgaard Laursen has 15 years of experience in the B2B sector in the nutrition industry, especially in strategic business and management positions at Arla Foods Ingredients. Prior to joining the food industry, Nørgaard Laursen worked for more than five years in the medical equipment industry, where he held diverse roles in R&D and clinical research, and in global marketing and management positions. Nørgaard Laursen has extensive experience in developing and implementing successful business and marketing strategies. He is skilled at managing R&D teams in clinical trials, and innovating next-generation ingredients, responding to the global needs of high-quality nutrition and food ingredients.

Key work experience

Juha-Pekka Pitkänen is Solar Foods’ chief technology officer and one of its founders. He graduated from the Helsinki University of Technology (now part of Aalto University) with a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering in 2000 and a Doctor of Engineering in 2005 majoring in bioprocess technology. He has over 20 years of experience in biotechnology R&D, most of which at VTT. In between his working period at VTT, Pikänen spent six years in the biotechnology start-up Medicel Oy in the early 2000s. During this period, he also became interested in equipment building for the needs of biotechnology. Pitkänen tested the functionality of the technology used as the basis of Solar Foods during his time at VTT on a laboratory scale together with his colleagues. Inspired by these results, Pitkänen and Pasi Vainikka decided to establish Solar Foods.

Independence

Chief Technology Officer Juha-Pekka Pitkänen is not considered to be independent of the Company, management or significant shareholders of the Company as he is the second largest shareholder of the Company with more than 10% of the Company's shares and as he is employed by the Company and a member of its Management Team.

Key work experience

Benitez-Garcia has extensive experience in various management positions in the fields of food technology, biotechnology and health sciences. He has led commercial teams and helped grow business areas within alternative proteins, specialty ingredients, enzymes, and various dietary supplements. During his career, Benitez-Gracia has worked in leading B2B companies, including BP Oil & Gas, DuPont, Novozymes and ADM International, as well as in his own consulting firm Benar GmbH. He has been involved in developing and implementing strategies and combining sales, marketing, innovation, and operational teams to achieve growth and profitability goals. Benitez-Gracia is an experienced multicultural and multidisciplinary manager who has achieved success in challenging and complex international environments.

Key work experience

Tiia Kuusimäki is the COO of Solar Foods. Kuusimäki has extensive 15 years of experience in various financial and operational positions in both start-ups and listed companies. Kuusimäki has worked on both sides of the negotiation tables for international M&As and has successfully headed subsequent integration projects. She is also a project management and reporting professional. She has together with the CEOs of the companies she represented raised significant amounts of additional funding for the companies. At Solar Foods, Kuusimäki is responsible for ensuring that the agreed targets are achieved on schedule, that the company’s employees are taken care of, and that new employees are recruited as agreed. Kuusimäki ensures that issues are handled regardless of the size and significance of the operational issue.

Key work experience

Benoit Formesyn has been the company's Project Manager since 1 September 2024. Benoit Formesyn is an experienced project management professional with over 20 years of experience in implementing large projects in complex environments around the world. He has graduated with a Master of Science in Biochemistry from HOGENT University in Belgium and complemented his expertise with E2E Supply Chain and Business Leadership programs (IMD and INSEAD).

Formesyn has implemented greenfield projects for ABI and Cargill. As a Project Manager at Cargill, he was involved in developing and implementing Capital Excellence processes and headed Heineken’s Projects and Engineering department. In his latest position as Commercial Director, he was involved in establishing a contract and project management department for Northvolt’s Giga Battery plant project in Sweden.