Otto Hilska

Otto Hilska is a renowned entrepreneur and technology leader known for his successful ventures in building B2B SaaS products and businesses. With a remarkable history that includes pioneering chat-based business communication platforms at Flowdock and contributing to the rapid growth of global SaaS company Smartly.io, Otto has solidified his expertise in the tech industry.

An avid enthusiast for various subjects, Otto actively engages in continuous learning. His areas of interest span across software engineering, leadership, lean and agile methodologies, systems thinking, product discovery, customer development, product marketing, and enterprise sales. Despite his vast responsibilities, Otto maintains his programming skills and stays up-to-date with emerging technologies, showcasing his proficiency as a software architect.

Deeply connected to the Helsinki startup ecosystem, Otto has played a pivotal role in fostering its development. He has held significant positions such as the chairman of the Startup Foundation and actively contributed to community initiatives like the Slush conference, Junction hackathon, Maria 0-1 startup space, and the Startup Sauna accelerator. Furthermore, Otto extends his support to startups by serving as an angel investor and offering advisory services.

Otto's educational background includes an M.Sc. in Computer Science from Teknillinen korkeakoulu-Tekniska högskolan and studies in Mathematics and Physics at Olarin lukio. With a vast array of experiences across several organizations, Otto has held key roles such as Chief Product Officer, VP of Engineering, and Founder & CEO, showcasing his versatility and leadership skills across the tech sector.