In this blog series, we will be speaking to founders, marketing teams and VCs from our climate tech ecosystem to find out what gets them out of bed in the morning, and what challenges they have had to overcome to get to where they are today.

It’s an opportunity to peer behind the curtain and hear directly from the people who are playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of our planet. 

Nina Harjula is a shining example of what it means to be a pioneer and thought-leader in the climate tech space. She co-founded the Global Cleantech Cluster Association and was CEO of the Nordic Innovation Accelerator, masterminding the Cleantech Venture Day for many years.

We worked with Nina for the first time when she was Chief Marketing Officer at Visedo, a Finnish electric powertrains startup that was soon acquired by Danfoss Power Solutions. At first a small branch of Danfoss’ large portfolio, the segment became a core product driving revenue within just a few years. 

We’ve loved working with Nina in her time there and were so excited when she contacted us again after becoming CMO and Partner at Sofi Filtration. 

Nina got us involved to support her work on the positioning for Sofi Filtration’s advanced water filtration technology at a pivotal moment for the industry and the company. Sofi now aims for growth in the mining, cleantech and industrial markets.

1. What moves you?

I’m deeply moved by the small things in life – though to me, they’re not small at all. Like watching a capricorn wander into my backyard with its fawn or sitting quietly in the ancient forests of Finnish Lapland, listening to nature’s quiet stories. Those moments remind me of how connected everything is.

In daily life, what truly moves me is seeing things progress. That’s why I’m drawn to working with startups and growth companies – places where you can see tangible results of your work, where your effort directly shapes something real. My motivation comes from creating meaningful impact through technology and seeing it make a positive difference in the world.

2. What challenges do you face?

The biggest challenge in my work is financing growth in industries that are new, risky, or disruptive. But on a personal level, the real challenge lies in storytelling – in finding ways to make complex technologies understandable, relatable, and inspiring. How do you help others see the potential and necessity of change, and the courage it takes to invest in the unknown?

I believe we need challenges to grow, both as individuals and as societies. I deeply admire people who dare to question the status quo – activists, innovators, and visionaries who drive progress. Ultimately, I want to look back one day and know that I stood on the side of those who pushed for good change.

3. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever had?

One piece of advice that has stayed with me came from my MBA studies, professor, Brett Fifield. He told us: “When you enter a new industry, read everything you can – publications, articles, company reports, watch documentaries and videos – until you master the language they speak.”

Every field has its own vocabulary and way of thinking. To be taken seriously and to contribute meaningfully, you have to speak that language. That advice has carried me a long way, especially early in my cleantech career when I was doing a lot of writing and public speaking. It taught me the power of language – not just in communication, but in belonging.

Thank you, Nina, for sharing your inspiring words with us and our community.

Now it’s over to you – what motivates you in these trialling times? How do you keep up hope? Let us know who we should speak to next.