Uplause | Social games for big crowds

BOARD

Ilkka Paananen

experience in game business development and successful SME growth

Chairman of the Board

Ilkka Paananen

Chairman of the Board

Ilkka Paananen is Chairman Of Uplause's Board and Co-Founder of Uplause Ltd. He's one of the most successful and experienced entrepreneurs in the Nordic games industry, having successfully built large teams from scratch and managed companies through rapid international growth. He's experienced in working hands-on with entrepreneurs. Ilkka is a partner also at Lifeline Ventures, an investor at Microtask, and a coach at Aalto Venture Garage. Previously CEO and Co-Founder of Sumea, and having held management positions at Digital Chocolate from President to Managing Director of Europe, Ilkka brings broad strategic understanding of game industry, digital entertainment and business models to the table.

Mika Sulin

sports business and stadium development experience

Board Member

Mika Sulin

Board member

Mika has 25 years experience in sports business in various positions. Latest he has been nominated as the new General Secretary for 2012 and 2013 IIHF World Championships in Finland. Mika helds board member positions also in Lippupiste Ltd, Vierumäki Sports Institute, Finnish Ice Hockey Federation, IAAM Europe and Jokerit HC. Mika played in the Finnish SM-liiga before the embarking on a career in sports management. During the 90’s Sulin lead the Nike Nordic, Central and Eastern European operations, and later acted as the managing director at Hartwall Arena, then at Exel Sports Ltd. Having strong hockey background, a solid business sense, and excellent networks in both sports and business worlds, he has spent the last few years as an independent consultant.

Keith Bonnici

venture capital specialist

Board Member

Keith Bonnici

Board member

Keith is a Manager at Veraventure Ltd, which is the leading early stage VC in Finland. Keith is managing a portfolio comprising mainly IT companies and responsible of the Vigo accelerator programme on Veraventure's behalf.

Previously seven years at TEKES, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, Keith managed Verso programme during 2006-2009 (total budget 120 million EUR). Tekes is the main public funding organisation for research, development and innovation in Finland. During 2000-2002 Keith worked as an IT Sector Director in the investment bank D. Carnegie Helsinki. 1994 he set up a start-up Bonsoft Ltd, which offered ISP-, mobile- and e-commerce services and solutions to SMEs in Finland during 1994-2000.

Timo Sipi

extensive legal experience

Board Member

Timo Sipi

Board member

Timo holds an LL.M and is a partner at LMR Attorneys Ltd. He has 15 years of legal experience in Technology, Media and Telecommunication, Contracts, and M&A fields, gained through working at large organizations.

Timo practises mainly in the areas of IP and technology, commercial contracts, sourcing and procurement, and corporate management advisory. He has been listed by IAM among the world’s leading 250 patent and technology transfer licensing practitioners.

Hannu Virta

sports business, culture and marketing

Board Member

Hannu Virta

Board member

Hannu has deep understanding of sports business and marketing. He's passionate about developing sports culture. He's been playing 19 seasons as a hockey pro (for example five season in NHL Buffalo Sabres), 10 years as a coach, for example Finnish national team and Lugano in Switzerland.

Heikki Aura

Company representative

Board Member

Heikki Aura

Board Member

Heikki has been involved with game publishing/development and business throughout his career. Before Uplause he was Director at Nokia Corporation. As a Co-Founder of Uplause Ltd and head of sales and marketing, Heikki plays a key role Uplause's sales, marketing and business development activities. Heikki's big passion in sport are football, ice-hockey and basketball and loves playing golf in his free time!

company

Business ID FI22736975

MANAGEMENT

Veli-Pekka Marin

Heikki Aura

Jussi Marin

Markus Heikkilä

Tuomas Paavola

BOARD

Ilkka Paananen

Mika Sulin

Keith Bonnici

Timo Sipi

Hannu Virta

Heikki Aura