Panelists

Panel discussion: How science can offer investors and political decision-makers opportunities for both profits and impact?

Scientific discoveries can solve global problems, but how do we support the process? Science needs help to turn research to innovation and innovation to entrepreneurship – and later to social and economic benefit. Examples from around the world tell us that success is possible and that there are various ways to nurture and support innovation inside universities. What is the Nordic way to success? Come and hear from best practices and ideas from our panel.

The panel is hosted by Ms. Annika Damström.

Rebeca Hwang

Katri Kulmuni

Edward Haeggström

Patrick Ennis

Rebeca Hwang

Co-Founder and Managing Director of Kalei Ventures

Rebeca Hwang is a Professor of Practice at Thunderbird and the Faculty Director for Thunderbird's new Center for Family Business and Entrepreneurship. Hwang is a venture capital investor who has collected experiences as innovator and inventor, founder and entrepreneur, social entrepreneur, educator and ecosystem builder. Most recently, Rebeca co-founded Kalei Ventures, which invests in early stage technology startups from Latin America. Prior to Kalei, Rebeca was co-founded and Managing Director at Rivet Ventures, which focuses in companies targeting women-led markets where female usage, decision-making, and purchasing are crucial to company growth. Rebeca is also co-founder of the San Francisco-based startup YouNoodle, which helps companies and governments engage with communities of entrepreneurs for open innovation and co-creation of products and services.

Katri Kulmuni

Minister of Economic Affairs of Finland

Katri Kulmuni is the Minister of Economic Affairs of Finland and the current leader of the Centre Party of Finland.

Edward Haeggström

Professor of Material Physics at the University of Helsinki, CEO and Founder of NanoformFinland Oy

Edward Haeggström is a founder and CEO of Nanoform Finland Oy, and a professor at Helsinki University, and Head of the Electronics Research Laboratory within the Department of Physics. He has previously held the role of professor at Harvard University, assistant professor at Stanford University and project leader at CERN.

Patrick Ennis

Venture Partner at Madrona Venture Group

Patrick’s career spans 35 years in science, technology and venture capital. He’s worked around the world with organizations such as Bell Labs, ARCH Venture Partners, Intellectual Ventures and Madrona Venture Group. Patrick has served on more than 25 boards and has degrees from Yale, University of Pennsylvania and William & Mary. He’s an inventor and author of many patents and scientific research papers.