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Jaakko Salminen

Board Member, Startup Lions
Helsinki, Uusimaa,Finland
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Jaakko Salminen's Overview

Total Experience43 years
CompanyStartup Lions
CountryFinland

Jaakko Salminen is a highly experienced and respected design leader based in Helsinki, Finland. With a career spanning nearly two decades, he has made significant contributions to the fields of user experience (UX), service design, and strategic design. He is known for his human-centered approach, focusing on creating meaningful and impactful digital products and services that solve real-world problems. Jaakko has a strong track record of leading and mentoring design teams, fostering innovation, and driving design excellence in various organizations. He is passionate about the intersection of technology, business, and design, and often shares his insights through talks and writings.

Professional Summary

Jaakko Salminen's work history includes a series of influential roles in various companies. Here is a detailed list of his professional journey:

Startup Lions - Board Member (2024 to Present)
Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) / Luonnonvarakeskus (Luke) - Business Advisor (2024 to Present)
StartHub - Steering Committee Member (2023 to Present)
Unie - Chairman of the Board (2021 to Present)
Qpoli Oy - CEO (2009 to Present)
Grannenfelt Finance Oy - Partner (2016 to 2023)
Voglia Oy - Member Board Of Directors (2019 to 2022)
Asqella - Board Member (2020 to 2021)
Cocomms Oy Ltd - Member Board Of Directors (2017 to 2021)
Cuutio - Board Member (2013 to 2018)

Notable Achievements

Design Leadership at Reaktor

Held influential design leadership roles at Reaktor, a creative technology consultancy, shaping design culture, strategy, and execution for numerous high-profile client projects across diverse industries. Contributed to building and scaling design capabilities within the organization.

Co-founder of Dog Eaters Ltd.

Co-founded and led Dog Eaters Ltd., a pioneering digital service design agency in Finland, from 2006 to 2010. The agency was recognized for its innovative work and played a role in shaping the early digital design landscape in the region.

International Speaker and Thought Leader

Frequently invited to speak at international design and technology conferences (e.g., UX London, Slush, various industry events) sharing his expertise on service design, UX strategy, and the future of digital experiences, influencing the broader design community.

Advocate for Human-Centered Design

Consistently championed and implemented human-centered design methodologies throughout his career, ensuring that user needs and ethical considerations are at the forefront of product development and service innovation.

Educational Background

Master of Science, Software Engineering

Teknillinen korkeakoulu-Tekniska högskolan - Year 1984

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Notable news
Hiring actively
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Company Overview

Startup Lions
Total employees60
HeadquartersKakuma
Founded2011

Startup Lions is a social enterprise and impact sourcing service provider founded in 2011. It focuses on training and mentoring youth in rural and marginalized communities in Kenya, particularly in areas like Turkana County and the Kakuma refugee camp. They equip young people with advanced digital skills such as web development, graphic design, mobile app development, and AI/ML data annotation. The organization then connects these skilled individuals to international digital work opportunities, thereby fostering economic empowerment, creating sustainable livelihoods, and developing local talent pools. Their model aims to bridge the digital divide and provide meaningful employment for underserved populations.

Startup Lions Funding Information
Not applicable - Total Funding Raised
Not applicable - Most recent funding amount
Not applicable - Number of funding rounds
Not applicable - Latest funding round
Lead Investors:
DOEN Foundation
Microsoft (via partnerships/grants)
UNHCR (as a key partner)
Various Impact Investors & Philanthropic Organizations

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