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SHORT BIO
Ronny Eriksson is a creative entrepreneur, researcher, and community builder focused on unlocking the potential of the creative economy. Founder of New Nordic Way and several ventures like Ambitious.Africa and Norders Creative Agency, Ronny helps organizations integrate creativity and culture into their strategies. As a speaker and thought leader, he shares insights on creativity and entrepreneurship, inspiring audiences across Europe.
Ronny Eriksson is a dynamic Finnish entrepreneur, researcher, and thought leader known for his contributions to the creative and cultural sectors. A graduate of Hanken School of Economics, where he specialized in entrepreneurship, Ronny has built a diverse portfolio of ventures that reflect his commitment to creativity and innovation. His projects include Ambitious.Africa, which connects young entrepreneurs from the Nordics with Africa, and Nothing Hill, which revitalized the Arctic economy of Kirkenes, Norway, through an innovation campus and festival.
Currently, Ronny leads New Nordic Way, a creative studio that spotlights next-generation talent and helps organizations integrate culture into their core strategies. He has worked with major clients like City of Helsinki, Valio, Wärtsilä, and University of Oulu, guiding them to embrace creativity as a driver of growth.
With over 100 speaking engagements across Europe, Ronny is a sought-after voice on the importance of creativity, culture, and liberal learning in shaping resilient, future-proof societies. Through his ventures and speaking engagements, he continues to inspire organizations and individuals to turn creative ideas into actionable growth strategies.
LONG BIO
CONTACT
ronny@naapurusto.com
+358 50 517 7908
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With a foundation in entrepreneurship and a deep passion for creativity, I’ve spent my career blending these forces to ignite change and inspire innovation. My journey began with a drive to connect people and ideas, and I’ve since built multiple successful ventures that reflect the power of creative thinking. As the founder of New Nordic Way, a creative and cultural studio, my mission is to unlock the potential of the creative economy, spotlight emerging talent, and help brands authentically connect with culture.
ABOUT ME
I’m a PhD candidate and graduate from Hanken School of Economics, where I specialized in entrepreneurship, but my path has always been shaped by the belief that creativity isn’t reserved for artists—it’s a powerful tool for problem-solving, growth, and building resilient organizations. Throughout my journey, I’ve founded and co-founded several impactful ventures that serve as bridges between industries, cultures, and talent. From launching initiatives like Ambitious.Africa and Norders Creative Agency to founding Hanken Venture Studio—each project reflects my commitment to innovation, fostering cross-border collaboration, and helping young talent shape the future.
New Nordic Way: Empowering the Creative Economy
Through New Nordic Way, I’m committed to fostering creative ecosystems that empower individuals and organizations to thrive. Finland’s creative economy contributes only 4% to the national GDP, far below its potential. My work focuses on unlocking this untapped potential by creating platforms for emerging talent and positioning Finland as a global leader in the creative industries. Collaborating with institutions such as the City of Helsinki, I aim to reshape how creativity and culture drive economic growth.
Building Bridges from the Arctic to Africa: Lessons from Nothing Hill and Ambitious.Africa
My journey of building bridges between regions and cultures includes projects that stretch from the Arctic Circle to the African continent. In Kirkenes, Northern Norway, I co-founded Nothing Hill, a transformative venture aimed at revitalizing the local economy. We turned an abandoned hospital into the Arctic Student and Innovation Campus, a hub for young talent and forward-thinking ideas. Alongside this, we launched ICE, the Arctic Innovation Festival, designed to position Kirkenes as a global center for Arctic innovation.
However, both projects faced significant challenges. Geopolitical events, including the pandemic and the Russian war, led to unforeseen setbacks. These experiences taught me valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and navigating uncertainty in complex environments. But despite the difficulties, it was a thrilling experience that fueled my passion for bringing ambitious visions to life.
Meanwhile, Ambitious.Africa connects young entrepreneurs from the Nordics and Africa, fostering cross-continental collaboration and innovation. Together, these projects have expanded my understanding of how diverse regions can share knowledge, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit to address global challenges.
Shaping the Future with Young Talent
I’m passionate about empowering the next generation. Through my work with educational institutions such as Hanken School of Economics and University of Oulu, I’ve integrated creativity and liberal learning into curriculums, helping prepare students to lead with bold, innovative thinking. By fostering entrepreneurial skills and emphasizing the importance of creativity, I believe we can develop future leaders capable of navigating an unpredictable world. The Hanken Venture Studio I co-founded is a testament to this, supporting young entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship, and resources they need to succeed.
A Visionary Speaker and Thought Leader
With over 100 speaking engagements across Europe, I’ve become a sought-after voice on the intersection of creativity, culture, and entrepreneurship. I’ve had the honor of sharing stages with global leaders in innovation and culture, providing insights that challenge conventional thinking. My work has resonated with companies like Wärtsilä, Valio, and Neste, helping them embrace creativity as a core value to drive innovation, cultural relevance, and long-term success.
Learn more about me as a speaker.
Entrepreneurship in Action: Building Ventures and Projects
As an entrepreneur, I’ve built multiple ventures, including Ambitious.Africa, Norders Creative Agency, and CaterMate, each designed to blend creativity with practical solutions. Working with leading entrepreneurs like Peter Vesterbacka has further shaped my approach, pushing me to create ventures that drive real impact. My goal is to turn bold ideas into reality, building future-proof projects that create meaningful change.
WHAT I'M UP TO
MY CREATIVE DREAM
I envision a world where creativity, culture, and entrepreneurship are the driving forces behind meaningful progress. Together, we’ll empower individuals, organizations, and ventures to stay relevant, culturally connected, and future-proof.