Sakari Pihlava
InvestorPartner at Vendep Capital
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
Writes $108K – $3.2M checks
About
Sakari Pihlava combines nearly two decades of software work—engineer to IPO leader at F‑Secure—with cross‑border VC experience, deep technicality (17+ years coding, active GitHub) and focus on AI-driven productivity autopilots.
Invests in
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFintechMarketplacesSaaS
Experience
- Vendep CapitalGeneral Partner at Vendep Capitalcurrent2017 — presentEspoo
- Vendep Startup FundFounding Partnercurrent2013 — presentHelsinki
- VendepCEO, Partner2011 — 2017Helsinki
- Efecte Corp.Vice President Products2008 — 2010
- Efecte Corp.Head of European Business Unit2007 — 2008
- TVM CapitalSenior Associate2003 — 2007
- F-Secure OyjHead of Engineering1995 — 2001
- StonesoftSoftware Engineer1992 — 1995
Education
- IMDMBA, General Management2002 — 2003
- Teknillinen korkeakoulu-Tekniska högskolanMSc, Computer Science1990 — 1997
Skills & more
Start-ups99Venture Capital34Entrepreneurship41Product Management21Cloud Computing25New Business Development12Business Development55Corporate Development4Business Strategy32Management Consulting4Product Marketing5Agile Methodologies3
+12 more
Product DevelopmentBusiness ModelingAngel InvestingMobile DevicesSoftware DevelopmentStrategic PartnershipsBusiness AlliancesGo-to-market StrategyStrategy DevelopmentSaaSEnterprise SoftwareStrategyFrom Sakari's professional profile.
Same school
Also attended IMD143
Karthik ChakkarapaniInvestor at Foundation CapitalKulpreet SinghOperating Advisor at OpenOceanMusaad AlkadiSr. Principal at Graphene VenturesGrant AllenFounding GP, Schneider Electric Ventures at Giant Ventures Global LlpFredric PetitPartner, Head of Materials & Packaging at Emerald Technology Ventures AgDavidFormer Chief Technology Officer at Acadian Ventures Management, Llc
+ 137 more
Also attended Teknillinen korkeakoulu-Tekniska högskolan33
Ralf WahlstenChairman at OpenOceanTimo AhopeltoSerial tech entrepreneur and early-stage investor running Lifeline VenturesPetteri KoponenFounding Partner at Lifeline VenturesIlkka PaananenAdvisor at Lifeline VenturesIlkka KivimäkiFounding Partner & Advisor at Maki.vcPirkka PalomäkiFounding Partner at Maki.vc
+ 27 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Efecte Corp.1
Also worked at TVM Capital4
Colleagues at Vendep Capital
Artis Bisers
Investment Manager at Vendep Capital
Jupe Arala
General Partner at Vendep Capital
Sami Ahvenniemi
General Partner at Vendep Capital
Samuli Aheristo
Investment Associate at Vendep Capital
Tanja Alanen
CFO at Vendep Capital
Taru Wahlroos
Head of Platform & Marketing at Vendep Capital
Timo Felin
Principal at Vendep Capital
























