Hegemonia – Parhaat ratkaisut innovatiivisen yrityksen kehittämiseen
I want to lead pro-development, innovative companies on the path of growth and internationalisation by supporting them in both strategic development and funding.
Hegemonia Invest Oy invests in growth companies and is a business developer that provides expert services for strategy planning and implementation, growth and internationalization, commercialization of innovations and financing.
During my career, I’ve had the chance to work with startup and technology companies as well as on public administration and association projects. This has given me valuable experience that I can use to develop business operations.
Hegemonia Invest Oy
What my clients say
Startup companies:
Industry:
Public administration and associations:
Tuomas Laitinen
Crono Analytics
AI Marketing found its direction and correct measures with Hegemonia’s help. Without Ilkka’s expertise, our company wouldn’t have grown from employing five employees to an international sales company in just 6 months.
Mikko Kesti
Loupedeck
Ilkka had a very innovative attitude towards growing business and developing core skills. He sees things from the client’s perspective and understands the challenges of the company. The attitude to do more combined with systematic thinking have made Ilkka and Hegemonia a great partner. At times, it’s good to stop and think about the values of the company. Ilkka is the best partner for this.
Jussi Eväsoja
lmajoen Teräsputkikaluste
We have known Ilkka since University. He worked as an advisor for our family company Ilmajoen Teräsputkikaluste Oy and planned and implemented development projects. Ilkka’s strengths are development, strategy, funding, and commercialisation of innovations.
Pirjo Airaksinen
Superson
We have collaborated with Hegemonia Oy’s Ilkka Sillanpää on several internationalisation projects. He has a comprehensive strategic vision and competency, as well as a good network and practical attitude. These attributes are essential in successful entrepreneurship. We have received help and sparring, which has led to substantial growth. In addition, Ilkka is pleasant to work with.
Arto Ala-Hiiro
Suomen Mallinnusmittaus
Over the years, we have developed our company and new business in different projects with Ilkka. He understands the practical aspects of developing a company. Long-term commitment and mutual trust are values that we share together. Doing things and succeeding together has strengthened our cooperation.
Jyrki Salo
Urjala Works
Our cooperation with Ilkka began when he was a customer of our large international company. Since then, he has worked with the owners, board and management as a strategic advisor. We have implemented many international strategic development projects and achieved good results.
Matti Jääskeläinen
Trinno
Hegemonia Oy’s Ilkka Sillanpää has been an essential partner in clarifying the vision and strategy of Trinno Oy’s new expansive www.skillfactory.io service. Ilkka has a versatile background, and he listens, motivates and challenges our ways. This has allowed us to find a direction for all-round development. Our cooperation strengthens and continues.
We act as a development service producer and contract partner in the Economic Development Centres across Finland.
Ilkka holds a doctor degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Oulu and a doctor degree in strategic management from the University of Vaasa. He acts as a docent at the University of Oulu and a visiting scholar at the Budapest University of Economics. He has published numerous academic articles, books and conference papers in strategic management.
Ilkka Sillanpää – Business academician
Roots – Entrepreneurship as a lifestyle
My grandparents have always been role models for me – they were brickyard entrepreneurs from the 40s to the 50s, after which they were active in the gravel industry and agriculture.
The 1990s
Entrepreneurship is a lifestyle. In primary school, we cut stones into gemstones and grew guppies, which we sold with my friend.
2001
I graduated from the High School of Alavus in 2001. In high school, I had the idea of studying the technical side at University.
In high school, I worked a summer job at Keskisen Kyläkauppa, and with the money I made, I bought stocks of Sonera, which was listed on the stock exchange. In 2000, the IT bubble created an upturn, and by selling the shares, I financed my student life and, at the same time, got to learn more about the patterns in the market and economy.
Educational background – Engineering and economy
2001
In the autumn of 2001, I started studies in the technical faculty at the University of Oulu, with mechanical engineering as the main subject. As a secondary subject, I studied industrial engineering, which brought more economic science into the mix.
2002
After the first year of study, I went to the army. The Reserve Officer School was an excellent base for management.
2004
During my studies, I applied for a summer job in the industrial field. I got a summer job at Metso through the University’s scholarship. Alongside studies, I continued the summer job as an hourly employee in purchasing and supply chain management. I was able to apply in practice what the studies in mechanical engineering and industrial engineering taught.
In 2004, I established my first company and consulted on development projects and funding applications.
2006
My master’s thesis was in 2006, and I applied for and got a position at Rautaruukki in Raahe. The topic of the master’s thesis was related to the development of supply chains. The supply chain management and purchasing knowledge I learned at Metso laid a good foundation.
Career - Corporate academic
2007
After completing my master’s thesis, I continued to work at Rautaruukki on procurement development as a Sourcing Manager, among other positions. Group-level international tasks suddenly required English skills and travel around Europe.
At Ruukki, we developed business networks and supply chain management, among other things. The measurement of supply chain performance identified novelty value, as there were more unanswered questions than answers. This pushed me to start postgraduate studies.
2011
I earned a PhD in Industrial Engineering and Management from the University of Oulu. The thesis was Supply chain performance measurement in the manufacturing industry: a single case study research to develop a supply chain performance measurement framework.
At the same time, Konecranes developed global supply chain management. At Konecranes, I had the chance to develop supply chains and business networks on a worldwide scale.
My work at Konecranes brought new challenges, especially those related to strategy implementation. I also became interested in strategic management from the point of view of research, which led to a new leap in the academic world. I started postgraduate studies and research in the Faculty of Business Studies at the University of Vaasa.
2012
As a successor to my previous trade name, I founded Hegemonia Oy. In addition to other work and research, I also conducted business consulting. I carried out the commercialisation of innovations created through studies from different universities, which was interesting. Several new companies emerged from these innovations.
2014
Research on the implementation of strategy began to require more time and detachment from work. In 2014, I took study leave and left to complete my research at Corvinus University of Budapest. This trip taught me a lot about economics and management, but also about life abroad. I am still a visiting scholar at the University of Budapest.
In 2014, I earned a Doctor of Science degree in strategic management from the University of Vaasa.
2016
In 2016, I started work as a full-time entrepreneur.
Through the commercialisation of innovation projects, I have been a part of founding over a dozen companies. In some of them, I am still a shareholder. Successes have encouraged me to continue consulting and development instead of a single company, which has allowed me to be involved in many things simultaneously.
2018
I was awarded a lifelong adjunct professor position to the Industrial Engineering and Management at the University of Oulu. Granting the adjuct professorship was a huge and positive surprise to me. Being a adjunct professor means that I can still keep up with research.
Future – Development and funding of companies
”I still want to get excited again and again and create new things, become a part of growth and internationalisation, as well as support the building, development and implementation of strategies.”
I am particularly inspired by development-friendly and capable companies with technology and scalable products that can be pushed all the way to the international market.
During my career, I have learned a lot about successes, but I have also learned things the hard way. I have had the honour of working with many great clients and numerous great colleagues and partners.
When creating and implementing a successful strategy, I can draw a lot from my background in the business world and the academic path. My path hasn’t been the most conventional. Still, a diverse career is beneficial in business development, strategy planning and implementation, vision searching and change management, commercialising innovation, growth, internationalisation and scaling planning.
Consultation for business clients
We advice SME and startup companies with developing and creating business.
We act as an advisor for business owners, boards and management.
We develop new business from ideas and innovations and assist with commercialisation and internationalisation.
We apply for funding for development projects and make use of public business support.
BUSINESS ANALYSES AND DEVELOPMENT
Analysis of the current situation and determination of areas for development: We will conduct a 360-degree analysis of the company’s current situation, clarify goals and create a development plan
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
Strategy planning, updating and implementation: We will plan or update the strategy, mission and vision of the business, as well as create an implementation plan
FUNDING AND SUPPORT
Application for public support and funding: Applying for Business Finland and ELY funding and implementation of development projects
BUSINESS PLAN
Creating and updating business plans: Business development, creating new and updating business plans
INCREASE IN VALUE AND CONTINUITY
Definition of company value and merger & acquisitions planning: We will define the value of the company and increasing value as well as plan the continuity of the company or merger
GROWTH AND INTERNALISATION
Development of growth and readiness for internationalisation. We will create long-term plans for growth and readiness for internationalisation
Investment activities for startups
We invest in new companies and actively participate in strategic leadership. We provide strategic views and expertise in international business.
We look for ideas or new, development-minded businesses, and we require
- B2B business
- New technology or apps
- Opportunity to scale internationally
We work with these companies, among others
English 
Finnish