Mika Tienhaara
Winning the World with Impactful Innovation
An early mix of Art and Science steered Mika Tienhaara to a life of Impactful Innovation. A Global Award-winning Innovator, Entrepreneur, Author and Podcaster, Mika is a leading figure in the International Innovation Community today.
Born to an Automotive engineer father and an artist mother in Finland, Mika was fascinated by cars ever since he was a child. “When I turned 16, my father got me into car manufacturing. It was so fascinating to learn about the industry, that I have been working with industry-related technology and solutions my whole career, pre-dominantly in the energy industry,” he says.
Inspired by his early learning, he chose an engineering background in both Manufacturing Technology and Energy Technology. In addition, he obtained an MBA in Entrepreneurship. Yet, Mika’s core is to innovate with an impact – it means that one should always try to scale-up a business and see what the true potential of the technology/solution is.
“Over the years, I have built my successful playbook on how to disrupt and innovate with impact. Every business is unique, so you need to stay agile, ready to pivot, and be highly customer-oriented. You have to solve real customer problems, adding value. The business strategy I call the ‘Black Diamond’ is my core – execute well and scale-up to become a market leader. To do this, you need first to have a strong core team; then, the rest comes together on product and technology, sales and marketing, and finance and
funding,” says Mika.
Mika’s efforts have resulted in high-growth companies with an international reach serving many markets. He has attracted many great Fortune 500 companies as clients and takes personal pride and reputation in delivering what he promises. He has both worked world’s most inspiring innovator. in corporates (Sweden, Germany, US, Norway) and established strategic partnerships with them.
He has also done fundraising for more than 100 Mć and done several exits. He has been an advisor to about 100 entrepreneurs and startup companies, from inception, early-stage, to scale-up. In addition, he has commercialized some 30 products and technologies throughout his career.
Today, he is the CEO of Rocsole Inc, a leading smart process imaging company. With AI and deep learning prediction solutions, they support operational teams to reduce OPEX, avoid unplanned shutdowns, and monitor product quality to increase revenues.
On his part, Mika is passionate about sustainability of the future of energy and mobility.
“I am driven by making improvements to business and industry that are good for the planet. I think that we need to democratize entrepreneurship and ensure affordable energy. Let the younger generations have the best possible future!” opines Mika, who also enjoys mentoring young entrepreneurs as a way of giving back.
His activities as a leading innovator have resulted in innumerable international awards, a bunch of publications, and articles. Some of his recent personal honours include: International Achievers Award 2022 by Indian Achievers Forum; Most Innovative CEO of the Year 2021 by Tycoon Success; Platinum Award – Entrepreneur – Enterprise customers in the energy industry, issued by Titan Business Awards 2021; Top 100 Innovation CEO 2021 by World Biz Magazine; Strategy CEO of the Year 2021 – Finland, by Business Worldwide Magazine; and Most Innovative CEO in the Oil & Gas Industry 2021 by Business Worldwide Magazine.
With a vast international network and curious mind, he is also the host and producer of the podcast – Mika Tienhaara’s See Beyond Show, as well as a best-selling author (WSJ & USA Today).
With such an impressive body of work, how does Mika strike a balance between his professional and personal life? He tells us, “Running your own business and being an entrepreneur and CEO leave you alone at the top. The list of work items to do and to improve never ends! Take breaks and especially try to honour weekends with the family; I have a wife and three kids.
I am very disciplined and highly efficient, but also human, so I need to recharge my batteries. Thus, I build strong teams. You cannot do everything yourself – collaborate and delegate. Achieving this means I can also be more flexible with my time, as a typical working week is some 60-70 hours.”
What makes Mika a true super-achiever is the fact that he never gives up! He has grit, is customercentric, and has started to emphasize on ‘soft skills’ to ensure that his team has the mental strength to work on a high-speed roller coaster, which is the daily life in start-up companies. With a mission to make global industries safer, better, and greener, Mika Tienhaara is fast becoming the world’s most inspiring innovator.