Solar Foods has announced the appointment of Rami Jokela as its new chief executive officer, effective April 1, 2025. Jokela, who brings extensive experience in scaling international businesses, will lead the company as it moves from research and development into global commercialization.
“His leadership will be instrumental in advancing the company’s transition from technology development to commercial scaling”
Jokela succeeds founding CEO Pasi Vainikka, who has led the company since its inception. Vainikka will continue in an advisory role through the end of 2025 to support the leadership transition and oversee ongoing strategic initiatives.
Jokela’s immediate focus will be on expanding Solar Foods’ presence in the Health & Performance Nutrition segment, with an emphasis on the US market. He is also tasked with implementing a new conceptual sales model, increasing product price points, and scaling production capacity at one of the company’s factories to meet growing demand. In addition, he will oversee the phased investment plan for a second factory, a key component of the company’s goal to achieve positive EBITDA within the current strategic period.

Juha Lindfors, chairman of the board at Solar Foods, noted the significance of this leadership change: “Rami Jokela’s expertise in industrial growth and international market expansion aligns with Solar Foods’ ambitions. His leadership will be instrumental in advancing the company’s transition from technology development to commercial scaling.”
Jokela’s industry background
Prior to joining Solar Foods, Jokela served as chief sales officer at Körber Group, where he was a member of the executive board and played a key role in unifying the company’s diverse brand portfolio under a single identity. His experience scaling global sales and optimizing industrial operations positions him to drive Solar Foods’ commercial expansion and enhance production efficiency.
Reflecting on his new role, Jokela stated, “Solar Foods’ technology presents a significant opportunity to reshape the future of food. I am eager to work with the team to accelerate the company’s growth and bring its innovative solutions to a global audience.”

Solar Foods’ position in alt protein
Founded in 2017, Solar Foods specializes in the production of Solein®, a protein made using CO₂, hydrogen, and nitrogen as primary inputs, with energy sourced from renewable electricity. This process allows for protein production independent of traditional agriculture, making it highly resource-efficient.
Over the past year, Solar Foods has achieved several milestones, including securing food permits in key markets such as the US, refining its product’s value proposition for scalability, and listing on the Nasdaq Helsinki First North Growth Market. The company’s expansion plans include partnerships with food brands and increased production capacity to bring Solein-based products to market in Asia, the Middle East, and North America.
Vainikka, reflecting on his tenure at Solar Foods, said, “From the start, we recognized the global potential of this technology. The next phase is about execution, and with this leadership transition, Solar Foods is positioned to scale its impact beyond Earth’s surface.”