Keynote speakers

Alain Schumacher holds a PhD in Physics with a strong background in the field of thin film physics and technologies from the University of Kaiserslautern, Germany. Ever since Alain joined IEE in 2000, he has been working in different functions, across many divisions, grew into the company and influenced growth of the company, too. Today he holds the position as CTO and is a member of the Executive Committee at IEE S.A.

Alain’s story with the Printed Electronics world spans across many years of passionate research, strategy, evaluating new technologies and systems, supporting operations, and finally, creating valuable, strong connections with various partners. As a member of the OE-A board, Alain Schumacher took over the position of Vice Chairman Europe. Thus, he is well placed to bring his experience and visions into the printed electronics world. 

IEE has been leading the way in innovative sensing solutions and electronics manufacturing services for automotive, building management & security, Health Tech and beyond, since 1989. When it comes to automotive safety, IEE has equipped millions of cars all over the world and continues to do so. Alongside its roadmap, IEE targets to build a wider, more diverse, and future-proof reality in which printed electronics continue to play a critical role in helping citizens lead a better, safer and more comfortable life.  

Ville Vartiovaara, with over two decades in the healthcare industry, holds M.Sc. from Aalto University, Finland. He started at Philips Healthcare MR Imaging and later advanced elderly care wearables at Vivago Oy. Begun in 2011, his tenure at GE has earned him the GE Edison Pioneer Award in 2022 for his work on Portrait Mobile, a recently launched wearable patient monitoring system.

Ville, now Principal Engineer for Electronics in Patient Monitoring at GE HealthCare, holds 10+ patents in wearable monitoring and MR imaging.

His broad expertise has guided teams through complex projects. Ville advocates for healthcare tech that integrates into daily life, enabling proactive health management while ensuring efficiency and patient comfort. Outside work, he's an avid designer and builder interested in embedded systems, mechanics, and outdoor activities.

Jani-Mikael Kuusisto is a seasoned professional at the cross sections of the physical and digital worlds. He has over 20 years of international experience in business development, marketing, strategy and entrepreneurship. Jani-Mikael entered the field of printed intelligence in 2002 through Metso and its JV spin-out with Nokia and Hansaprint Avantone Oy (2004–2006). 2007–2011 he was the first business development manager for VTT's spearhead programs in printed intelligence.

Since 2011 Jani-Mikael has held executive and board positions in Ynvisible Interactive Inc. and has worked with or advised several start-ups originating out of the PrintoCent cluster. Today he is Co-Founder & CEO of The Warming Surfaces Company Ltd, a VTT spin-out established in 2022. Mr. Kuusisto has an MSc in International Business from Helsinki Business School (now Aalto Uni.)

Prof. Seppo Yrjölä holds a D.Sc. degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Oulu and is Professor at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu in the field of techno-economics. He is Principal Engineer at Nokia Cloud and Network Services and has been building radios for 34 years in research, development, innovation, and business development. 

Previously, he was head of wireless technology for the Networks division at Nokia. He has been awarded over €10 million in competitive research funding as the lead investigator, authored 140+ scientific publications, and holds several patents in the radio domain. Prof. Yrjölä conducts multidisciplinary research, combining technology, business, and regulatory aspects. His current mission is digitalizing the 70% of GDP that has yet to be digitalized in order to drive massive productivity growth, new business and people empowerment. With roots in engineering and economics, he explores how and why platform-based ecosystemic business models can emerge in the future wireless systems context in a sustainable and human-centric way.

Ali Omar, originally from Hyrynsalmi, Kainuu, graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Oulu in 2003. He obtained a degree in Medicine (Licentiate of Medicine) and also acquired an MBA from AaltoEE. In 2007, Omar, together with his colleague Kustaa Piha, founded Med Group, which is now known as Onni. Onni is an extensive social and healthcare services conglomerate. 

Omar is actively involved as an investor, supporting over 35 Finnish technology startups. His role in these companies focuses on assisting with growth and supporting internationalization. Currently, Omar works as a software entrepreneur, where his goal is to aid software companies in planning and analyzing their cash flows using financial software.

Kari Rönkä is currently working as Vice President in Sensing Solutions -research area at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, responsible on for research topics such as printed, flexible, stretchable and structural electronics and photonics, optical instrumentation, human sensing, health data analytics and RF & photonic packaging. 

He has a strong and versatile experience in various managerial positions related to electronics manufacturing, materials / functionalities/technologies & products based on printed, flexible and structural electronics as well as R2R manufacturing processes, both in industry and research. 

Kari Rönkä acts also as Chairman of the board for Printocent and MedPhab non-profit association (MedPhab ry).

Mr Juha Artama, MSc in Mechanical engineering, +30 years in glass industry in various positions from Engineering of equipment, Manufacturing, Process development, Sales and Product development. Sales and Marketing being the latest area of interest, which actuated new technologies research process for Off-highway products since 2005.