Neurochallenge Kick-off
The Speakers
Sirpa Pietikäinen
Sirpa is a former Member of the Finnish Parliament (1983-2003) and a former Minister of Environment of Finland (1991-1995). She has served as a member of the European Parliament since 2008 and is a member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) and the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), as well as a substitute member of the Committee on the Environment, Climate Change and Food Safety (ENVI) and the Committee on Public Health (SANT). Throughout her political career, Sirpa Pietikäinen has strongly focused and advocated for better brain health and care policies, as well as better and science-based policy response to neurodegenerative diseases. She is a former member of the Board of Alzheimer Europe and currently serves as a co-chair of European Alzheimer's Alliance.
Member of the European Parliament
Ari Solomon
Professor at UEFAri Solomon, MD, PhD is professor of Neuroepidemiology at University of Eastern Finland, visiting professor at Imperial College London, UK and affiliated to Karolinska Institute, Sweden. Prof. Solomon’s work focuses on prevention of late-life cognitive impairment and dementia, e.g. as scientific coordinator for the FINGER study and the World-Wide FINGERS network of multimodal dementia prevention trials.
Matti Laitinen
Innovation Advisor, Business Center North SavoMatti Laitinen is an innovation specialist at Business Center North-Savo and Savonia University of Applied Sciences, supporting startups, growth companies, innovators, and students in business development and commercialization. His work focuses on startup coaching, innovation commercialization, ecosystem development, and entrepreneurship education.
Eero Rissanen
Director, Neurocenter FinlandEero Rissanen, MD, PhD, Adj. Prof. is a clinical neurologist and neuroscientist, and director of Neurocenter Finland. Neurocenter Finland is a unique collaboration network of neuroscience research, development and innovation expertise in Finland, aiming to promote better brain health and development of personalized medicine of brain disorders, and evidence-based decision-making by fostering cross-boundary RDI collaboration, improving operational RDI prerequisites, and strengthening the visibility and societal impact of neuroscience.
Antti Kotimaa
RDI Expert, Savonia UASAntti Kotimaa, PhD, is an RDI expert at Savonia University of Applied Sciences with extensive experience in research, innovation and international development projects. His work focuses on building multidisciplinary collaboration between higher education, research, businesses and public-sector organisations. He is one of the key organisers of NeuroChallenge, bringing together experts, students, companies and other stakeholders to co-create innovative solutions for brain health and wellbeing.
Noora Tuikka
CEO and partner, Nostetta VenturesNoora is a regional VC investor and startup marketer with a strong background in startups, commercialization and growth. As CEO and Partner at Nostetta Ventures, she invests in early-stage companies and works hands-on with founders on commercialization, fundraising and strategic growth. She is particularly interested in turning technology and innovation into scalable businesses and helping ambitious teams move from great ideas to international markets.
Economic Development CentreJouni Hynynen
Jouni is a long-term invention and innovation expert specialized in creativity and IPR. His current position in Economic Development Centre keeps him up to date what is going on in Startup field and innovation funding. Though Jouni considers himself chronically shy/timid person he has developed his capabilities in theatre acting and movie making. Jouni follows inner impulses and relies on intuition in decision making. “I create, therefore I am.” As a non-fiction writer Jouni has published books for startups – the latest called How to choose a Company name – from business idea to brand. Some of his works are available in Youtube: @innovaatiotoimittaja and @tuotekehitys.