In a world where technology is rapidly reshaping the way we learn, Kirsi Ekberg, Founder of Vilike.fi, stands at the forefront of innovation. With a background in information technology and sports education, Kirsi identified a powerful intersection between technology, health, and education. Her journey, fueled by a deep passion for enhancing children’s learning experiences and promoting a healthier lifestyle, led her to create a revolutionary gamified learning platform that is transforming the way students engage with education.
A Vision Born from Passion
Kirsi’s entrepreneurial path began with a profound realization—software has the potential to make a real difference in people’s lives. Fresh out of university, she embarked on a mission to develop an educational tool that could positively impact children’s learning and overall well-being. What started as a simple idea quickly evolved into a tech-driven startup, guided by a commitment to gamify education and create user experiences that promote active learning and healthy living.
Eleven years later, after navigating the highs and lows of the startup world, she now leads a dedicated team of co-founders who share her vision. Together, they are working tirelessly on the fifth version of their platform, refining their approach and pushing boundaries to bring educational AI games to students worldwide.
Leadership Inspired by Creativity and Collaboration
Kirsi’s leadership style is deeply influenced by the values of creativity, autonomy, and teamwork. She draws inspiration from Ilkka Paananen, the visionary behind Supercell, whose innovative company culture fosters creativity and long-term success. Additionally, she admires the collaborative spirit of Burning Man, where individuals come together to co-create without hierarchy, a principle she applies within her own organization.
Believing that when the right people come together, they can achieve extraordinary things, Kirsi cultivates a work environment where her team members are encouraged to explore, innovate, and take ownership of their contributions.
Overcoming Challenges with Resilience and Innovation
While many female leaders face gender-related barriers in their careers, Kirsi attributes her challenges to being ahead of her time rather than to gender bias. In the early days, articulating her vision and executing the strategic steps required to build a thriving startup proved to be a steep learning curve. However, she persisted. With over a decade of experience in the tech startup ecosystem, she has gained invaluable insights into what it takes to turn an idea into a sustainable, impactful business.
Now, with renewed confidence and an experienced team by her side, she is eager to see how the next decade unfolds for Vilike.fi.
Leading with Purpose: People and Planet Before Profit
At the core of Kirsi’s leadership philosophy is a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical responsibility. She believes that financial success should never come at the cost of human well-being or environmental harm. Guided by this principle, she has turned down potentially lucrative business opportunities that did not align with her values.
She takes full responsibility for the impact of her work, ensuring that her products contribute positively to education, health, and sustainability. This dedication to purpose-driven leadership sets her apart as a visionary leader who prioritizes long-term impact over short-term gains.
Empowering the Next Generation of Women Leaders
Kirsi is deeply committed to mentoring and supporting future female leaders. Over the years, she has guided aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals, sharing her experiences and insights to help them navigate their own paths.
In a bid to create more opportunities for women in tech and entrepreneurship, she has also initiated the #3F Community, a collaborative platform that will bring together female students, founders, entrepreneurs, media professionals, and investors during Slush.org in Helsinki. Her goal is to foster meaningful connections and open doors for more women in leadership roles.
Advice to Aspiring Women Leaders
For women aspiring to leadership positions, Kirsi offers a powerful piece of advice: Embrace both logic and creativity.
“The world often favors an analytical mindset, giving little room for empathy and creativity. But that doesn’t mean you need to lead that way,” she emphasizes. “Listen to yourself, find inspiration in nature, and engage both your analytical and creative mind in decision-making.”
Diversity and Inclusion: The Cornerstones of Her Leadership
For Kirsi, diversity is not just a corporate buzzword—it’s a fundamental belief. She sees every individual as unique and valuable, regardless of gender or background. In her leadership approach, she ensures that everyone’s voice is heard and every perspective is valued.
She firmly believes that true innovation flourishes in an environment where different ideas, cultures, and experiences converge.
Staying Resilient Through Challenges
Like any entrepreneur, Kirsi has faced her share of hardships. But she has developed a unique approach to maintaining motivation and resilience—by disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with nature.
“I’ve learned to let go. I go into the forest, away from technology and distractions, and simply exist in the moment,” she shares. “Nature reminds me of the bigger picture, helping me reset, reflect, and find clarity in the midst of challenges.”
This practice has allowed her to stay grounded and maintain a strong sense of purpose, even in the face of uncertainty.
A Proud Milestone: Finding the Perfect Team
While Kirsi has achieved many milestones throughout her career, she considers one of her greatest achievements to be finding the right co-founding team. After four years of searching for a game developer who truly understood her vision, she finally found the perfect collaborator, Tomi. This partnership has reignited her excitement for the future, paving the way for the next phase of Vilike.fi’s evolution.
The Road Ahead: A Vision for the Future
Looking forward, Kirsi has ambitious goals for the next five years. She is set to launch a series of AI-powered educational games for K-12 students, designed to enhance learning, assess skills, and promote active engagement through digital play.
Her strategy involves:
1. Finalizing and launching the first product
2. Co-creating future games with teachers
3. Expanding her reach to impact more students worldwide
Through these initiatives, Kirsi aims to redefine the landscape of education, ensuring that learning remains engaging, interactive, and impactful.
A Trailblazer in Education and Innovation
Kirsi Ekberg’s journey is a testament to passion, perseverance, and purpose-driven leadership. As a trailblazer in gamified education, she is not just shaping the future of learning—she is inspiring a new generation of leaders to think boldly, act ethically, and lead with heart.
As she continues to break barriers and push the boundaries of innovation, there is no doubt that the world will be watching—and learning—from her incredible journey.