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Written by: Tiina Lemmetyinen
In our latest In Good Company articles, we introduce you to Dr. Ismo Kauppinen, the co-founder and CEO of Gasera Oy. Read about Ismo’s journey from pioneering audio technology to revolutionizing the detection of hazardous gases.
Scientist-Powered Entrepreneurial Drive
Ismo embarked on his career with a PhD in physics from the University of Turku, researching audio technology,specifically spectroscopic methods, which he applied to music correction.
During his master’s degree he had discovered a way to mathematically correct disruptions in music signal and successfully tested a specific algorithm. He then began working on his doctoral dissertation on the theory of this. As a result of his PhD dissertation, a mathematical method was developed, which could be used in various ways for processing audio signals, primarily in error correction and noise reduction.
As a scientist with a strong passion and a knack for commercializing inventions, Ismo already set foot on the entrepreneurial path in early 2000. Alongside his father, Dr. Jyrki Kauppinen, an emeritus physics professor at the University of Turku, he founded a tech transfer company called Noveltech.
Both Ismo and his father were inventors; Ismo’s patents spanned his contributions to audio technology, while his father’s innovations centered around spectroscopy for detection of substances and hazardous gases. Holding numerous patents together, they were familiar with the challenge of commercializing inventions in Finland. Noveltech was their solution to this challenge.
Not Your Standard Father and Son Business
Typically, when one thinks of a father-son business duo, it’s about father establishing a traditional enterprise, and the son carrying the torch forward. However, Ismo and his father took a different route; they founded the business together, forming a dynamic partnership.
Their collaboration was unique, with Ismo’s father being a pure scientist and emeritus professor, lacking a commercial background or great enthusiasm for it, and Ismo having his strong aptitude for commercializing complex technologies. It was a partnership that blended two worlds seamlessly.
“My father conducted fundamental research on taking technology to the prototype stage, while I focused on the commercial side of things. Although initially, this was also research-intensive, as funding applications predominantly centered around technology development. We had to translate our technological advancements into a language others could understand, all while identifying the right commercial angles,” Ismo explains.
From Passion to Purpose – Birth of Gasera
Originally, Gasera was envisioned as one project among many to be licensed and sold while pursuing other ventures. However, Gasera’s mission consumed Ismo entirely, and now, almost 20 years later, he’s still on this journey.
The pivotal moment arrived when Ismo recognized that Gasera’s technology had the potential to save lives and protect the environment. Gasera, born as a spin-off from Noveltech, also focused on spectroscopic methods, but for different scope than Ismo’s earlier work on audio technology. The focus now was on detection and identification of hazardous gases. This epiphany steered Ismo away from audio technology and toward solutions addressing global challenges, such as air pollution and safety.
“The main reason I didn’t venture into audio technology is that I realized my father’s inventions related to spectroscopy have a significance that goes beyond. While the audio work I did is undoubtedly intriguing, and music is important to humans, it became clear that at Gasera we were developing technologies with the potential to reduce air pollution worldwide, measure vital factors for human health, and warn people against inhaling hazardous gases, ultimately saving lives. This has been the driving force since”, Ismo shares.
Overcoming Challenges and Navigating Luck
One of Gasera’s significant milestones came in 2015 when the company secured substantial EU funding. This financial boost propelled the development of the Gasera One platform, now a cornerstone of their business. Attracting angel investors and strategic partners also played a pivotal role in Gasera’s expansion. And often, it was about being in the right place at the right time.
Like with most businesses, Gasera’s journey has not been without its share of challenges. In 2016, they faced a significant crisis when their strategy of partnering with specific markets for technology development and market entry failed. Gasera initiated four product development projects with different companies, but they all collapsed due to issues with the partners’ strategies rather than technical challenges.
“We initially questioned our strategy but later realized it wasn’t flawed; instead, it was our bad luck with partners. We adapted by pivoting, focusing on launching our own products to the market while sharing the risk. This approach reduced our dependence on partners, allowing us to return to a similar strategic path and succeed in similar endeavors once again”, Ismo explains.
Yet, the most significant challenge Gasera faces lies in their fundamental technology’s vast potential for diverse applications. While the possibilities are immense, aligning the technology with the market in the right way and at the right time remains their greatest hurdle.
“Overall, our journey at Gasera has seen many moments where we’ve teetered on the edge, but for one reason or another, we’ve succeeded. It’s been a testament to our perseverance, unwavering determination, and perhaps, at certain points, even strokes of luck. Sometimes, business demands a touch of luck, with the stars aligning just right at the perfect moment”, Ismo puts it.
Purpose Creates Resilience
When discussing ways of finding the right talent for your startup, Ismo underscores the importance of building a diverse and adaptable team. Gasera’s team includes physicists, chemists, and experts from various fields, forming a collaborative environment where mutual respect, trust, and cross-disciplinary expertise drive success.
“Building such a team isn’t easy, especially in our case, where the areas are complex and there are no ready-made experts; it takes persistent effort to develop the required skills. It has been a challenge, but the core team has remained stable, with individuals who have been with the company for a long time. I believe the company’s purpose likely fuels this stability – purpose creates resilience in this challenging journey”, Ismo sums it up.
Asked about key piece of advice for new founders, Ismo mentions the importance of following one’s own intuition and vision. New founders will come across many experienced advisors telling them more rational ways of doing things. However, these advisors don’t always have the bigger picture.
“When you have a strong vision and perspective for your company, I would encourage you to stick with it. You’ll meet experts and seasoned entrepreneurs who mentor and offer their insights. While their advice can be valid, it may not encompass all aspects. Often, your intuition as a founder is spot-on. I would advise founders to hold onto their own vision.”
Shifting Focus Towards Consumer Products
While Gasera currently serves various sectors, including research institutions, industries, cities, and government entities, they are actively shifting their focus towards enhancing consumer products. Their roadmap emphasizes the miniaturization of their technology, a step driven by its significant promise.
Gasera has already demonstrated their ability to achieve similar results on a much smaller scale. Currently, they are actively seeking funding to propel them into the next phase, aiming to shrink the technology into a chip that can be seamlessly integrated into devices such as mobile phones and other portable gadgets.
This strategic shift underscores their commitment to well-being and a consumer-centric approach. In their journey, Gasera exemplifies the limitless potential of innovation, showcasing that unwavering determination coupled with a grand vision can yield groundbreaking solutions that enhance global safety.