Personal Details
full name Martti Mikael Mela
nationality Finland
works and lives in Berlin
Work History
Strategy and Business Development Consultancy, 2019-
– Supporting international growth-stage proptech/fintech/SaaS companies with the market entry to Germany or Finland
– Product and business strategy consultancy for German technology companies and manufacturers
lifelife GmbH. CEO & Cofounder, 2014-2018
– A VC-backed residential letting SaaS platform operational in Germany and Finland
Eqviti UG. CEO & Founder, 2013
– Visualization platform for foreclosed real estate in Germany
Mela & Vanamo Ltd. Partner, 2011 – 2012
– Concept design agency
Resonator Helsinki Ltd. Partner, 2010
– production company and a collective that created the sound art works and music for Finland Pavilion “Kirnu”, Shanghai World Expo 2010
Remoterooms.com. Founder, 2008-2010
– Booking platform for holiday apartments
Nokia Technology Platforms. Senior Software Engineer, Feb 2007 – Aug 2008
Nokia Research Center. Research Engineer 2006 – Jan 2007, Assistant Research Engineer 2003-2006, Trainee 2000-2003
Polyteekkari Magazine Helsinki. Freelance writer, 2004-2005
University of Oulu, Centre for Wireless Communications. Research Assistant, 1998-2000
Nokia Mobile Phones Oulu. Trainee, 1996-1998
Patents
Mela, M. and Vehmanen, K. and Jalava, T. Method and Apparatus for Utilizing Bluetooth for WLAN Service Authentication and Discovery, US Patent 7,656,847. Feb 2, 2010
Mela, M. and Pessi, P. Streaming Media, US Patent 7,724,691. May 25, 2010
Grants
European Social Fund, State of Berlin, Berlin Innovation Agency: Future City Incubator grant for building the asummahomes.com venture, 2020
Arts Council of Finland, project grant 2012
AVEK – The Promotion Centre for Audiovisual Culture, project grant 2010
Alfred Kordelin Foundation, project grant 2010
Aalto University School of Art and Design Helsinki, travel grant 2010
University of Art and Design Helsinki, travel grant 2009
Publications, Awards and Confidential Posts
German Federal Ecodesign Award, Concept Category, Team Radbahn Berlin 2015
Kipsari Ltd. Vice-chair of Board, Apr 2009 – April 2012
Student Union of the University of Art and Design Helsinki, Member of Board 2009
Media Lab Study Coordination Team, Member, 2008 – 2010
Nokia Quality Award Finalist (team Sofia-SIP; internet telephony) in Research Category, 2005
Ota-Amnesty, Amnesty International Local Group 30 in Otaniemi, Espoo, Member of Board 2002-2003
Harri Paloheimo and Martti Mela: Real-time Streaming Protocol, in Marko Suoknuuti et al (eds.):
– Mobile Internet Technical Architecture – volume 3: Visions and Implementations, IT Press, 2002
Venture Cup, a national business plan competition, Team Synmetic (conducting plastics)
– awarded (on rounds 1/3 and 2/3) among Ten Best Business Ideas, 2001
Finnish Red Cross, organizer of fund-raising for refugees of Chechnya.
– fund-raising was accomplished by student union of Helsinki University of Technology, Spring 2000
Software Development Proficiency
React, Rails, AJAX, C, C++, Java, Max/MSP, SuperCollider
Language Proficiency
English (excellent spoken and written)
Finnish (mother tongue)
German (fluent spoken and written)
Swedish (good)
Education
MA (Art and Design), Master’s Programme in New Media. Media Lab, Aalto University School of Art and Design Helsinki, May 2020
MSc (Technology) in Telecommunications Technology, Department of Electrical and Communications Engineering, Helsinki University of Technology, Jun 2006
– Acoustics and Audio Signal Processing (major)
– Strategy and Communication Systems (personal minor)
Exchange: University of Gothenburg, Valand School of Fine Arts, Sweden Jun – Aug 2009
Exchange: Universität der Künste Berlin, Oct 2010 – Mar 2011