The Vaasa Insider article published on October 16, 2025, introduces Merinova’s new CEO, Marko Kuokkanen, and outlines the company’s future plans.
Technology center Merinova welcomed a new CEO this spring, when long-time energy sector professional Marko Kuokkanen took the helm. Kuokkanen aims to continue Merinova’s strong work in developing the energy cluster while exploring new ways to improve operations.
– A new CEO always brings fresh ideas. Merinova is already doing many good things, but we need to consider whether we could do something even better, Kuokkanen says.
Merinova, a 36-year-old technology center, supports the growth of companies in the Vaasa region and creates new business opportunities in collaboration with the private sector, public organizations, and universities. The company is currently developing a new strategy together with its stakeholders and partners.
Kuokkanen has a strong background in the energy cluster. He has worked at ABB, served as CEO of VAMP, and participated in launching the EnergySpin business accelerator. In recent years, he has focused on the GigaVaasa project, which he describes as a “learning journey.”
– The world is changing, and Merinova must continue to evolve. It’s not so much about individual people, but about changing conditions, he explains.
Merinova’s operations are based on broad collaboration and regional commitment. The company is non-profit, and its ownership structure reflects a shared goal of developing the Vaasa region’s business ecosystem. The majority of shares are held by companies, while cities, municipalities, and universities hold a complementary stake.
Merinova and its partners share a clear objective: to strengthen the energy cluster’s position and build sustainable conditions for future growth.