Aape Pohjavirta

Founder and President

Professional Overview

Aape Pohjavirta is an accomplished entrepreneur and industry leader with extensive experience in the technology and education sectors. As the Founder and President of Funzi, he drives the strategic vision and oversees the development of innovative digital learning solutions that empower individuals worldwide. With a strong background in co-founding successful startups and serving on advisory boards, Aape brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial expertise, industry knowledge, and a passion for leveraging technology to enhance educational opportunities.

Experience Summary

Current Roles

Founder and President, Funzi (2025-01-01 to Present)

Spearheads the strategic direction and oversees the development of Funzi's award-winning digital learning platform, which has positively impacted over 5 million users globally.

Builds and leads a talented team of professionals to continuously innovate and deliver cutting-edge educational solutions that address the evolving needs of learners.

Forges strategic partnerships with educational institutions, government agencies, and international organizations to expand the reach and impact of Funzi's programs.

Co-founder, NewDawn.app (2024-01-01 to Present)

Collaborates with a team of visionary co-founders to develop NewDawn.app, a groundbreaking platform that leverages emerging technologies to revolutionize the way individuals access and participate in online education.

Contributes to the overall strategic planning, product development, and market positioning of NewDawn.app to drive its growth and industry leadership.

Member, Private Sector Advisory Group, Digital for Development (D4D) Hub (2022-01-01 to Present)

Provides valuable industry insights and strategic guidance to the D4D Hub, a global initiative that promotes the use of digital technologies to support sustainable development.

Collaborates with other advisory group members to identify innovative solutions and shape policy recommendations that foster digital inclusion and economic empowerment.

Career Progression

Co-founder, Chairman of the Board, Gotland GPe Circuit/Gotland Ring (2022-01-01 to Present)

Played a pivotal role in the establishment of Gotland GPe Circuit/Gotland Ring, a state-of-the-art motorsports facility that aims to revolutionize the racing industry.

Oversees the strategic direction, governance, and operational excellence of the circuit, positioning it as a premier destination for elite motorsports events and sustainable mobility research.

Member, 'Education in Developing Countries' Task Force, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (2020-01-01 to Present)

Serves as a subject matter expert on the task force, contributing to the development of policies and initiatives that leverage digital technologies to improve access to quality education in developing nations.

Advises the Ministry on innovative approaches to address educational challenges and foster digital literacy, particularly in underserved communities.

Founder, Funzi (2014-01-01 to 2024-01-01)

Conceptualized and launched Funzi, a pioneering digital learning platform that has empowered millions of individuals worldwide with access to affordable, high-quality educational content.

Led the company's growth from a startup to an industry-leading provider of education solutions, recognized for its innovative approaches and positive social impact.

Academic Background

Aape holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Helsinki, where he graduated with honors. His academic achievements and technical expertise have been instrumental in shaping his entrepreneurial ventures and driving innovation in the technology and education sectors.

Areas of Expertise

Entrepreneurship and startup management

Digital learning platform development and deployment

Educational technology (EdTech) innovation

Strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement

Global market expansion and internationalization

Public-private collaborations for social impact

Professional Impact

Funzi has positively impacted over 5 million users globally with its accessible, mobile-first educational solutions, particularly in developing regions.

Played a pivotal role in the establishment of Gotland GPe Circuit/Gotland Ring, a state-of-the-art motorsports facility that is driving sustainable mobility research and innovation.

Served as a trusted advisor to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, contributing to the development of policies and initiatives that leverage digital technologies to improve access to quality education in developing countries.