Early Life and Education
Mika Anttonen was born in Helsinki, Finland, in 1966. He earned a Master of Science in Technology in energy technology from Helsinki University of Technology in 1992. During his studies, he began his career in the oil industry.
Rise to Success
Anttonen started as a crude oil distributor at Neste Corporation, where he rapidly advanced. In 1995, he founded Greenergy Baltic and later renamed it St1 in 2005. Anttonen's strategic vision led St1 to become a major player in the Nordic energy sector, expanding into oil refining and fuel distribution. He acquired the Esso and Shell filling stations in Finland.
Key Business Strategies
Anttonen's approach involves balancing fossil fuel operations with investments in renewable energy. St1 has been investing heavily in renewable energy projects like wind power and advanced biofuels. The company focuses on CO2-aware energy production and is actively involved in researching and developing sustainable energy solutions. Anttonen's leadership also extends to advocating for technological breakthroughs in renewable energy and promoting the need for a global carbon market.
Philanthropy
Anttonen has been investing in renewable energy projects, including a 4-mile geothermal well in Espoo, Finland, to provide heat, reforesting, and the capture of carbon from the atmosphere. In 2021, Anttonen sold shares in Vierumäki Sports Oy, allocating the proceeds to support sports through various federations.
