News

Ilkka Paananen Finnish EY’s Startup Entrepreneur of the Year

Aalto alumnus Ilkka Paananen has been chosen as the Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 by EY Finland.

Paananen is best known as the CEO and co-founder of Supercell.  He also received the prize in the Services category.

- One of the goals of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year competition is to bring to the limelight exemplary entrepreneurs who innovate others. Ilkka Paananen is a role model for this, says Philip Aminoff, the chair of the jury and the chair of the board of Electrosonic Group.

Paananen is an alumnus from the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management at the School of Science.

The competition has been arranged in Finland since 2003 and searches for brave, innovative and successful entrepreneurs in over 60 countries. In June Paananen participates in the international EY World Entrepreneur of the Year competition in Monte Carlo.

  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

Person in orange coat and large scarf posing on lakeside path between bare trees and reeds
Studies Published:

Student Tonya Yastrebova explores her interests through a broad engineering degree

For Tonya Yastrebova, choosing a broad degree meant keeping the door open to different possibilities while exploring a passion for mathematics, programming and modelling. At Aalto, the freedom to tailor studies has allowed her to discover new interests, build technical skills and shape her own path towards the future.
Product Development Path Makers 2026 logo with photo of the 2025 winners in the award gala.
Awards and Recognition Published:

Nominate an outstanding product development achievement – the Product Development Path Makers Award will be granted in December

The 3rd annual Product Development Path Makers Award welcomes nominations for novel product development practices. The call is open until 21.10.2026.
Four students talk in a workshop, surrounded by tools, workbenches and industrial equipment.
University Published:

Aalto University endowment returned 9.5% during first half of 2026

Endowment provides EUR 46 million funding to university operations in 2026.
Abstract close-up of colourful glass with swirling patterns in orange, blue, and purple hues.
Research & Art, Studies Published:

Start using the new DPSP tool – attend support clinics in September

New digital DPSP tool for preparing and handling doctoral personal study plans available for all doctoral students in MyStudies.