Sointu Karjalainen

I’ve spent the last 15+ years in startups and emerging tech, wearing just about every hat—founder, operator, investor, and now VC at FOV Ventures. Along the way, I’ve helped startups raise over €100M, navigated the highs and lows of building a company, and learned firsthand what separates those who scale successfully from those who stall.

I bring a no-nonsense, strategic mindset to advisory and board roles, helping founders:

✅ Raise smart money – Fundraising from day zero to Series A is my sweet spot.
✅ Avoid the biggest growth pitfalls – Seeing hundreds of startups from the VC side gives pattern recognition.
✅ Tap into top-tier networks – I have strong investor and corporate connections across Europe (Finland, London, Paris, Berlin) and the US (SF).
✅ Enter new markets – On the ground in Finland, London, and Paris, I can help with market entry and regional expansion.
✅ Bridge startups & corporates – I’ve worked with organizations like UNICEF, YLE, and the City of Tampere on innovation strategies.

Most importantly? I believe in mutual trust, honesty, and opening doors generously. I ask the tough questions so you can find the right answers —without wasting time on things that don’t move the needle.

If you’re a deep tech, AI, or emerging tech startup scaling towards Series A, that’s where I add the most value. Or a corporate looking for new avenues of growth through innovation.