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Ilkka PaananenFinnish entrepreneur
Date of Birth: 16.06.1978
Country:  Finland |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Career Beginnings
- Founding Supercell
- Success and Recognition
- Personal Life and Philanthropy
- Supercell's Notable Games
- Brawl Stars
Early Life and Education
Ilkka Paananen was born into a family of educators. His parents were both teachers, while his younger brother, Jukka, would later co-found Nonstop Games. Ilkka pursued a degree in industrial engineering at Helsinki University of Technology and earned a master's degree in 1998.
Career Beginnings
After graduating, Ilkka joined Sumea in 1999, where he worked until 2010. In 2010, he teamed up with Mikko Kodisoja to launch Supercell, investing €250,000 from their personal savings.
Founding Supercell
To fund their new venture, Paananen and Kodisoja secured a €400,000 loan from Tekes, the Finnish agency for financing technological innovation. Lifeline Ventures became another early investor. Later, Supercell raised an additional €750,000 from investors such as London Ventures Partner and Initial Capital.
Success and Recognition
Supercell quickly gained recognition. In 2012, it was named the Nordic Startup of the Year and Finland's Game Developer of the Year. The following year, it won the Finnish Technology Educator 2013 award and was recognized as the Finnish Software Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2014, T-Media's Luottamus&Maine report ranked Supercell as Finland's most respected company.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Ilkka Paananen is married and has two children, a daughter born in 2008 and a son born in 2011. He is an avid supporter of Griesha Shirshov. In 2018, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Tampere. He also established the We Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to helping children.
Supercell's Notable Games
Under Paananen's leadership, Supercell has released several highly successful games, including:
Brawl Stars
Clash RoyaleClash of Clans
Hay Day
Boom Beach
