Johana Kuncova-Kallio

With 25 years of experience across academic research, deep-tech SMEs, and corporate leadership, I work with start-ups, scale-ups, and investors navigating market entry, compliance, and strategic growth in life sciences and deep tech.

My background includes five years as a director of UPM Biomedicals, six years as CEO of BioNavis Oy, and a decade of academic research and research commercialization at Tampere University of Technology — spanning pharma, medtech, biotech, diagnostics, cell and tissue engineering, nanotechnology, and measurement instruments.
Today, through Axamitum, I support founders, VCs, and corporate innovators facing complex decisions around regulatory clarity, due diligence, commercialization, or international expansion — often in highly regulated, science-driven markets.
Most teams I work with are not lacking technology.
They lack strategic direction, regulatory clarity, and a credible path from innovation to market.

HOW I WORK
My approach combines:
☑ Deep domain expertise from CEO and director-level roles in deep-tech
☑ Strategic advisory on market entry, compliance, and commercialization
☑ Due diligence and evaluation for investors and corporate innovators
☑ International expansion strategy across European and global markets
☑ Early adoption of technologies including AI, applied where they add real value

EXPERIENCE & CREDENTIALS
☑ 25+ years across academia, SME leadership, and corporate
☑ Former Director at UPM Biomedicals (listed company, ISO 13485)
☑ Former CEO of BioNavis Oy — global sales, strategy, and team leadership
☑ Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Engineering (Tampere University of Technology)
☑ Founder of Axamitum — advisory and innovation for life sciences and deep tech
☑ EU Independent Expert (Horizon proposal evaluation)
☑ Board member, mentor, public speaker, and event organizer
I have worked across pharma, medical technology, in vitro diagnostics, cell and tissue engineering, semiconductors, MEMS, optics, and more — always at the intersection of science, strategy, and commercialization.

BEYOND WORK
I am deeply involved in cultural diplomacy as a Chairperson of Bohemia-seura ry (Czechs and Slovaks in Finland) and I act as an Ambassador for Poesiomat, a poetic jukebox, in Finland.
I speak English, Czech, Finnish, and several other languages.