Suvi Haimi, Founder, CEO, Sulapac Ltd

Tell us briefly about your background in Tampere, your career and your current work

I am the founder and CEO of Sulapac Oy, and I was born and raised in Tampere. I graduated as a biochemist in 2006, and defended my doctoral thesis on medical biomaterials in 2008 at Tampere University. I decided to shift from researcher to entrepreneur so that I could better carry out my mission of utilising biomaterials and preventing the planet from drowning in plastic waste. Sulapac was founded in 2016, and last year we raised 15 million euros of funding to expand our business globally. Our customers include Chanel, Fazer and Stora Enso. Our vision is to make Sulapac the world’s leading sustainable plastic replacement material.

What did you especially appreciate at your own higher education institution?

The multidisciplinary doctoral thesis, directed collaboratively by the former Tampere University of Technology (TTY) and University of Tampere (TaY), gave an excellent basis for entrepreneurship. The cell and tissue technology unit knew how to choose research subjects where we could be world-leading experts.

How would you describe Tampere as a city, what makes it special?

The benefits of both small and large cities are combined in Tampere: the natural beauty of Finland and its lakes is never far away, and the services you’d find in a larger city and internationally high-quality education are readily available.