Fundraising Fox

Sara Kangaspeska

Investor

Investment Director, Innovestor Life Science at Innovestor Ventures

Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland

About

Sara has around a decade of experience commercializing research-based innovations through spin-outs and licensing, particularly in biotech and molecular medicine. She holds a PhD from EMBL/University of Heidelberg and previously served as Head of Innovation at Helsinki Innovation Services and IPR Manager at VTT.

LinkedIn ↗

Experience

  1. InnovestorInvestment Directorcurrent2022 — presentHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
  2. Finnish Bioindustries FIB - Suomen Bioteollisuus ryBoard Membercurrent2024 — present
  3. Polku TherapeuticsBoard Membercurrent2024 — present
  4. Kasvu TherapeuticsBoard Observercurrent2023 — present
  5. Teitur TrophicsBoard Observercurrent2023 — present
  6. Neumirna TherapeuticsBoard Observercurrent2023 — present
  7. Soihtu DTxBoard Observercurrent2024 — present
  8. Rappta TherapeuticsBusiness Development Specialist2020 — 2024
  9. Alex TherapeuticsBoard Observer2023 — 2024
  10. VTTIPR Manager2019 — 2022
  11. Helsinki Innovation Services (HIS)Head of Innovation2017 — 2019Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
  12. Helsinki Innovation Services (HIS)Development Manager2016 — 2017
  13. Helsinki Innovation Services (HIS)Research Analyst, Life Sciences2014 — 2015
  14. Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM)Post Doctoral Researcher2008 — 2014
  15. EMBLPost Doctoral Researcher (Bridging Post Doc)2008
  16. EMBLPhD Student2004 — 2008
  17. Turku Centre for BiotechnologyM.Sc. Student2003
  18. Oak Ridge National LaboratoryTrainee2002
  19. Åbo Akademi UniversityTrainee, multiple periodical employments1999 — 2000

Education

  1. European Molecular Biology Laboratory / University of HeidelbergDoctor of Science (PhD), Molecular Biology2004 — 2008
  2. Aalto UniversityStudies in economics
  3. Åbo Akademi UniversityMaster of Science (MSc), Cellular and Molecular Biology1998 — 2004
  4. Louisiana State UniversityGenetics, Microbiology2001 — 2002
  5. University of JyväskyläBiochemistry
  6. Aalto University Executive Education and Professional DevelopmentIPR, Patents2015 — 2016

Skills & more

Board OperationBoard GovernanceCorporate GovernanceBoard of DirectorsBusiness StrategyTechnology Transfer5Innovation Development3IPR1Technology Commercialization1Science9Project Management5Business Coordination1
+12 moreLicensingCancer ResearchGeneticsMolecular BiologyCell BiologyDNA sequencingBiochemistryMolecular GeneticsMolecular & Cellular BiologyPersonalized MedicineScientific Writing & EditingResearch Administration

Languages English · Finnish · French · German · Swedish

  • HHJ, Hyväksytty hallituksen jäsen / CBM, Certified Board Member — Keskuskauppakamari (Finland Chamber of Commerce)

From Sara's professional profile.

Same school

Also attended Aalto University69

Patrik BackmanGeneral Partner at OpenOceanMirva LaatunenSenior Investment Associate at OpenOceanTony NystenPartner at OpenOceanElina HolkkoPartner and CFO at Lifeline VenturesMohammad Zuhair KhanTrainee / Data Engineer at Lifeline VenturesTeemu MattilaPartner at Lifeline Ventures

+ 63 more

Also attended Åbo Akademi University3

AngelaGeneral Partner at Version One VenturesDennis RosbäckSenior Accountant at NGP CapitalMagret JokelaInvestor at FiBAN

Also attended Louisiana State University30

William P. CrowellInvestor at Alsop Louie PartnersMarkInvestor at Yu GalaxyJohn CaseyCEO, Ormoni & Venture Partner at Pillar VCTalmadge SingerManaging Director at Advantage Capital PartnersTony ToupsManaging Director at Advantage Capital PartnersKourtney BakerSales Support Associate at Advantage Capital Partners

+ 24 more

Also attended Aalto University Executive Education and Professional Development4

Manuel HeckmannVenture Partner at Greencode VenturesVladimir GlasinovicProspection and New Business Director; and Eleva Program Director (CCM-Eleva Alliance) at Fundación ChileYoshiyuki ObaBusiness Angel at REDangelsAki LuukkainenInvestor at VNT Management

Shared employers

Also worked at Innovestor27

Wilhelm LindholmGroup CEO at Innovestor VenturesTommi ÄijäläGroup Chair at Innovestor VenturesTomi AsantiManaging Partner, Real Estate at Innovestor VenturesMatti HärkönenPartner, Corporate Venturing at Innovestor VenturesHeli Mehtätalo-TakalaHead of Investor Relations & Communications at Innovestor VenturesAleksi HuhtaDirector, Investor Relations at Innovestor Ventures

+ 21 more

Also worked at Polku Therapeutics1

Milla KoistinahoPartner, Innovestor Life Science at Innovestor Ventures

Also worked at VTT8

Mohammad Zuhair KhanTrainee / Data Engineer at Lifeline VenturesPirkka PalomäkiFounding Partner at Maki.vcPetri LaineVenture Partner, Innovestor Venture Capital at Innovestor VenturesPekka SimulaPartner, Innovestor Life Science at Innovestor VenturesLauri ReuterPartner at Nordic Foodtech VCErkki AaltonenManaging Director at Yara Growth Ventures

+ 2 more

Also worked at EMBL7

Kenneth Morand, Ph.D.Life Sciences Partner at CincyTechAudreyInvestment Team Member at Acadian Ventures Management, LlcXiming DingInvestment Manager at Pureos BioventuresJan AdamsPartner at Apollo Health VenturesPaolo Di GiorgioCEO and Managing Director at Angelini VenturesArtem LukoianovInvestor at E14 Fund

+ 1 more

Colleagues at Innovestor Ventures

Aleksi Huhta
Director, Investor Relations at Innovestor Ventures
Elie Kopaly
Investment Director, Energy Storage at Innovestor Ventures
Emilia Carlqvist
Analyst, Innovestor Life Science at Innovestor Ventures
Essi Hänninen
Office Manager at Innovestor Ventures
Hannu Jungman
Partner, Innovestor Venture Capital at Innovestor Ventures
Heli Mehtätalo-Takala
Head of Investor Relations & Communications at Innovestor Ventures
Henrik Keinonen
Investor Relations at Innovestor Ventures
Janne Juhola
Partner, Innovestor Venture Capital at Innovestor Ventures