Early Life
Mika Anttonen was born in Helsinki, Finland, on December 18, 1966. He studied energy technology at Helsinki University of Technology (now Aalto University), graduating with a Master of Science in Technology in 1992. During his studies, he began his professional journey as a crude oil trader at Neste Corporation.
Rise to Success
Anttonen's career advanced rapidly at Neste, eventually becoming the director of international product trading. In 1996, he transitioned to entrepreneurship, founding Greenergy Baltic. The company was later renamed St1 in 2005 after acquiring the St1 chain of service stations. Under Anttonen's leadership, St1 has become a major player in the Nordic energy market, with around 1,400 service stations across Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Poland.
Key Business Strategies
St1's success is rooted in Anttonen's vision to become a leading producer and seller of CO2-aware energy. The company has invested heavily in renewable energy projects, including industrial wind power, geothermal energy, and waste-based ethanol fuels. Anttonen has also focused on acquiring and expanding existing businesses, such as purchasing filling stations from Shell and ExxonMobil.
Philanthropy
Anttonen is dedicated to sustainability and the fight against climate change. He is the founder of the Keele Foundation, supports youth ice hockey, and has been involved in several renewable energy initiatives through St1. He has also supported afforestation projects.