Jarkko E. Antila

I have extensive background on spectroscopic measurement technologies and applications, such as MEMS-based spectral sensors. I have a long experience in leading a research team (Optical Sensors at VTT, Finland) and also hold 10+ patents, but in the recent years I have concentrated in setting up and expanding a new company, Spectral Engines, to bring NIR spectroscopic measurements and related applications to the masses. With the company we won the first ever SPIE Prism Award (2016) as a Finnish company, and we also won the 1-Meur EU Horizon Foodscanner Prize (2017). Among other customerships in e.g agritech and pharma, we set up a subsidiary Purpl Scientific in the US, who is bringing Spectral Engines's technology to the newly legalized cannabis business for measuring quantities such as THC, CBD and moisture for QA/QC and development purposes. Spectral Engines also launched the first MEMS NIR -based consumer sensor solution 'X-Spect' together with Bosch. I have exited Spectral Engines in 2020 and now have my own consulting company, Leaping Boulder, in order to help especially early-stage, deep-tech companies, create new business successfully.