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Jussi Salovaara
Managing Partner, Co-Founder at Antler | Global VC backing the most driven founders from day zero to greatness
Jussi Salovaara is a prominent investor and entrepreneur, currently serving as an Investor at Metatheory Inc. since December 2021. He is also the Co-Founder and Managing Partner for Antler, a global early-stage venture capital firm that supports founders from the inception of their ideas through to growth stages. Antler operates in over 30 cities worldwide, including major hubs like Singapore, New York, and London, and has a portfolio value exceeding $3 billion with more than 750 companies.14
Professional Background
- Antler (2018 - Present): As Co-Founder and Managing Partner for Asia, Salovaara plays a crucial role in guiding startups through co-founder matching, business validation, and securing pre-seed capital. His leadership has been instrumental in fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.13
- Previous Experience:
- Nokia: Held several vice president roles, including Global Services Commercial Management and Radio Business & Product Management, where he was responsible for strategic planning and product management across various business lines.13
- McKinsey & Company: Worked as a Senior Engagement Manager, contributing to strategic initiatives across different sectors.13
- Morgan Stanley and Deloitte: He began his career in investment banking and consulting, gaining foundational experience in financial analysis and strategy.13
Education
Salovaara holds a Master’s degree in Finance from the Helsinki School of Economics and a CEMS Master in Management from the London School of Economics. His educational background equips him with a robust understanding of economics and business strategy.15
Investment Focus
At Metatheory Inc., Salovaara focuses on early-stage investments across various sectors including technology, e-commerce, AI, and health IT. His investment strategy typically involves backing innovative startups at their earliest stages to help them scale effectively.24
Personal Insights
Salovaara is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs and believes in the potential of startups to drive significant change in the global economy. His approach combines hands-on mentorship with strategic investment to ensure that new ventures can thrive in competitive markets.45
Highlights
Fundraising is a skill—one of many that founders need to master. When you're just starting out, you often don't have much to show—no solid metrics, perhaps not even a product yet. You might have a compelling thesis, but what truly excites investors?
𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠.
In the earliest stages, the story investors walk away with can be the deciding factor between a successful raise and a failed one. It's about how well you articulate what you're doing and why it matters.
Many founders struggle with storytelling, and I understand why. But here's the good news: storytelling is a skill you can develop. Like coding or sales, it improves with practice.
At the early stages, your story should capture your vision. Investors want to know:
- 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮?
- 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶?
- 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘸?
Even when you start showing metrics, don't stop telling your story.
Weave those numbers into your narrative. Numbers alone can be dull. What investors really want to see is what those numbers reveal:
- 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘧𝘢𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦.
- 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦.
- 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵.
Investors aren't just looking for good numbers. Don't just list them.
They seek metrics that suggest a bigger picture—your capacity to scale, adapt, and lead in your niche.
As founders, when you can skilfully blend storytelling with robust metrics, you demonstrate that you truly understand your business.
Not everyone needs to raise VC funding. Either bootstrap or think 100x bigger.
It was great talking to Tech in Asia about being a billion-dollar founder and how to determine if you have what it takes to become one ☝️
