An entrepreneur’s success is often sparked not only by traditional factors, but also by encouraging support, peer networks and informal encounters. With this mindset, Jussi Pyysalo is now leading Turku Startup Hub, whose heart will take shape from autumn 2026 in Axelia, located on the Turku campus area.
Throughout his long entrepreneurial journey, Jussi has gained extensive experience as a company founder and board member, taking him both to the Helsinki metropolitan area and abroad. Now, however, his home city of Turku is inspiring him to approach entrepreneurship from a new perspective.
In this entrepreneur profile, Jussi reveals what his dream profession was as a child, his most important insight as an entrepreneur, and why he decided to become a Founder at Turku Startup Hub.
What was your dream profession as a child?
At a very young age, my dream was quite traditional – to become an astronaut or a fighter pilot. Later on, especially through my interest in coding, I became fascinated by building my own solutions and bringing them to market.
What would you like to tell your 20‑year‑younger self as an entrepreneur?
I would emphasise perseverance and trust in your own work. There will be ups and downs and plenty of surprises along the way. You’ll learn from all of them – sometimes even gain a bit of scar tissue – but you move forward wiser and stronger.
What connects all the companies you have founded?
Whenever I have set out to found a company, it has been driven by a strong interest in the field and, over time, a deeper understanding of the target industry – many of them in life sciences. They have also shared a novel approach to solving a real problem, a clear vision of a strong team, and potential for growth. In short: an idea emerging from an interesting field, with a clear personal conviction behind it.
What is your biggest insight about entrepreneurship?
The foundation of successful entrepreneurship is built on perseverance, a positive mindset and an excellent team. Success is not measured solely by money or growth figures. Entrepreneurship can be successful even if it doesn’t generate millions – if the work is inspiring through the freedom it offers and the responsibility that comes with it, that can be enough.
Do you prefer working as a founder or as a chair of the board?
Today I have experience in both roles – even within the same company. I can operate in either, but at this stage I see my place more in the board, preferably as chair, supporting the CEO and a top‑level team rather than in day‑to‑day operations. I’m currently involved in six startups in different roles, and the insights gained from them support my work as Founder of Turku Startup Hub.
What excites you most about the Turku startup ecosystem right now?
There is a huge amount of idea‑stage and early‑stage activity in our region, and the city takes this seriously. Our team at Turku Startup Hub – and more broadly at Business Turku – has full backing to build a model tailored specifically to the Turku region, turning great ideas and early concepts into internationally successful companies together.
What motivated you to become the Founder of Turku Startup Hub?
Since my student days, I’ve navigated interesting paths from one startup to another, often as a founder. Most of this work has taken place in the Helsinki metropolitan area and internationally. After years of commuting between Turku and Helsinki, it was exciting to find a role right in my home city that aligned perfectly with my experience, skills and future ambitions. I feel I can bring genuine insight and an inspiring mindset to the growth of the Turku startup community.
What is Turku’s pitch to investors?
Turku is one of the most concentrated science ecosystems in Northern Europe: four universities, 40,000 students, half of Finland’s pharmaceutical and diagnostics industry, and a shipyard with its extensive supplier network building the world’s largest cruise ships. Turku Startup Hub brings this potential together for the first time into a structured pipeline that turns ideas into investment‑ready companies. Every European investor should keep Turku on their radar.
The next unicorns will be born here.