After the exit of some big names from the Nokia world, this time it’s Tero Ojanpra who is leaving Nokia.
Espoo, Finland – Nokia announced today that Tero Ojanperä, Executive Vice President and a member of the Nokia Leadership Team, will leave Nokia and resign from the Nokia Leadership Team at the end of his contract on September 30, 2011.
Tero, who currently serves as Executive Sponsor of Nokia’s Bridge program, has been with Nokia for 21 years and has been a member of the Nokia Leadership Team since 2005. He will take on a new role as Managing Partner of a new investment fund Vision+.
"I have enjoyed more than 20 years at Nokia. I’m proud to have played a role in the company which has changed – and continues to change – the lives of so many people around the world through mobile technology," says Ojanperä. "Looking ahead, I’m excited to lead the work for the Vision+, which seeks to help communities turn creativity and innovation into products."
"While at Nokia, Tero made significant contributions through his role as Chief Technology Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, Head of Research, and most recently as Executive Vice President of Services where he helped to support and advance developers, entrepreneurs and local communities," said Stephen Elop, CEO and president of Nokia. "As he transitions to lead Vision+, Tero will have the opportunity to continue making a positive impact with the technology community and Nokia, and we very much look forward to supporting Tero in this new role."
His loss wouldn’t be felt much as he is just moving across the neighborhood.
According to another press release:
Vision+ – a new fund devoted to investing in innovative products
Nokia announced today plans to collaborate with Vision+, an independently-run investment fund, focused on financing innovative products. Vision+ introduces a new funding model for venture investments where investments are made into product development projects with a clear target for market entry and commercialization. Nokia also plans to be an anchor investor in Vision+.
Nokia’s investment in the new fund is part of an ongoing strategy to broaden application and games development for Nokia’s ecosystem. Vision+ funded applications and games development projects for Nokia supported platforms, especially for Windows Phone platform, are targeted for receiving marketing and other commercial support activities from Nokia to support their market entry.
The fund’s focus is to take a unique approach in match-making application development projects directly with customers, resulting in new innovations coming onto the market more quickly. In addition, product developers will create and preserve their own intellectual property, helping them to grow the value of their companies, while Vision+ will share product revenues. Vision+ is to fund applications and games for various platforms especially focused on Converged Gaming, Entertainment & Education and Preventive Health Care and Wellness. As Vision+ moves forward, it will look into expanding across other industries, exploring visionary product concepts in clean water and energy.
"My new role at Vision+ will give me a fantastic opportunity to leverage my strong industry relationships and versatile experience built up within Nokia and the surrounding mobile ecosystem. Vision+ will be able to provide support to developers and entrepreneurs when they plan to introduce the best visions and product concepts into global and local markets. I look forward working together with these companies targeting to monetize their great ideas," says Tero Ojanperä, Managing Partner, Vision+.
So does it means the demise of our beloved Beta Labs? Only time will tell
