Partner
20 years in enterprise software before co-founding Vendep Capital
What Sakari brings to the table
Sakari has spent nearly two decades in the software industry, with experience spanning everything from startup growth to IPO. He’s held key roles in F-Secure’s IPO management team, led product and channel sales at Efecte, and worked on both sides of the Atlantic with TVM’s €1 billion venture fund in Munich and Boston.
That mix of operational depth and international investing experience led to co-founding Vendep Capital. Today, Sakari focuses on early-stage SaaS across the Nordics and Baltics, with a particular interest in how AI is reshaping productivity — moving from co-pilots to full autopilots in software.
Working with Sakari
Sparring is Sakari’s default mode. He works closely with founders to challenge assumptions, pressure-test strategies and bring clarity to key decisions, whether it's product, go-to-market or long-term positioning.
He draws on two decades of software experience to offer perspective, not prescriptions. Through targeted intros or thoughtful questions, Sakari’s goal is always the same: to help founders grow into category leaders.
Quickfire Q&A
What’s a book or podcast that changed how you think?
The Monk and the Riddle: The Art of Creating a Life While Making a Living by Randy Komisar.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Never compromise on effort or integrity. Build a life you can be proud of.
What’s a founder you admire and why?
Witnessing Jim Clark's pioneering spirit and audacious ventures, from Silicon Graphics to Netscape, fundamentally reshaped my career aspirations as a young engineer, inspiring me to pursue an MBA and then a career in Venture Capital.
From this author
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How to build a Series A compatible cap table?
This article outlines the common cap table mistakes founders make, what investors look for, and how ownership typically evolves from pre-seed to Series A.
More team members
Former scaleup operator helping SaaS founders with a keen financial eye
Former scaleup operator helping SaaS founders with a keen financial eye
Nearly a decade in VC, helping founders think deeper and scale smarter
Nearly a decade in VC, helping founders think deeper and scale smarter
Founder turned investor that many founders rely on for advice
Founder turned investor that many founders rely on for advice
Startup operator turned investor obsessed with fast teams and solid metrics
Startup operator turned investor obsessed with fast teams and solid metrics
Silicon Valley-bred investor with deep experience and an unmatched network
Silicon Valley-bred investor with deep experience and an unmatched network
Ex-SaaS marketing lead, now growing the Vendep founder community
Ex-SaaS marketing lead, now growing the Vendep founder community
Seasoned CFO keeping our fund financials and compliance tight
Seasoned CFO keeping our fund financials and compliance tight