In our first episode, we sit down with Ilkka Kivimäki, founding partner at Maki VC and a cornerstone of Finland’s startup ecosystem, to unpack how early-stage funding decisions actually get made. Ilkka brings raw insight from building multiple startups, selling one to SAP, and backing over 60 companies through one of the Nordics’ most founder-aligned VC funds.

He talks openly about why most founders misjudge valuation timing, how a good pitch is more about ambition than perfection, and why chasing AI hype could sink your startup before it begins. You’ll learn what makes a VC truly commit to a deal, how internal decisions work inside a fund, and why the best startups often come from overlooked markets or deep tech spinouts.

If you’re an early-stage founder raising funding, navigating AI-era challenges, or wondering what makes a great VC-founder relationship, this is the brutally honest perspective you need.

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Produced by Amplitude Ventures Consulting: Partners in Early-Stage Venture Building - https://amplitude.ventures