Eero Knuutila is the CEO of LignoSphere, a Finnish biomaterials company transforming lignin, a forest industry byproduct, into high-performance bio-based coatings and adhesives that replace fossil-based epoxies.

Eero holds an M.Sc. in Industrial Management from Aalto University and previously held commercial leadership roles at Stora Enso and Finavia, bringing deep expertise in growth-stage companies.

With over ten years of growth company leadership experience, Eero has held key commercial roles in six startups, including two successful exits, demonstrating a strong track record of building and scaling ventures.

Under Eero's leadership, LignoSphere secured Pre-Seed funding from Kiilto Ventures and Stephen Industries, and subsequently extended the round with an investment from TekVentures, the CVC arm of global polymer leader Teknor Apex.

LignoSphere's patented technology addresses a global lignin waste problem, with the world's pulp mills producing roughly 50 million tonnes of lignin annually, over 95% of which is burned; LignoSphere is working toward an industrial-scale production facility to bring bio-based alternatives to mainstream coatings and adhesives markets.