Director, FinNode India, Counsellor (Innovation), Embassy of Finland,

Mr. Riku Makela connects Finnish and international experts and the know-how required to promote innovation. He is the Director of FinNode India, New Delhi based operation of the Finnish Innovation Network. In this role, he is responsible for leading collaborative efforts to engage Indian partners with central innovation organisations in Finland and for revealing new openings for Finnish business and research organisations in India. Other FinNode network locations are United States, China, Russia and Japan.

Before his current position, Riku Makela has worked for Tekes (the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation) in Finland and United States since 2001. In 2010-2011, he was responsible for starting a national Tekes Learning Solutions R&D&I program. His other work experience includes start-up entrepreneurship in ICT and travel sectors, marketing of healthcare devices, consulting and research.

Riku Makela has M.Sc. degree from Helsinki University of Technology, Award in HR Development from Helsinki University and Award in Business Studies from University California Los Angeles.