Over the past decade, Startuplifers has connected hundreds of talent from the Nordics with fast-growing startups in Silicon Valley and beyond. After the program, many of the alumni have played an essential role in building some of the fastest-growing Nordic startups including Wolt, Varjo, Hoxhunt, Blok, Singa, Valohai, Meru Health, Matchmade, Smartly.io and many more.

Startuplifers alumnus, Riku Lindholm, joined Mendor through Startuplifers as their Marketing & Sales intern in 2012. Later, he shifted to more senior marketing and business development roles at the company.  According to Riku, the biggest lessons learned from working at a startup are the insights that you gain into high growth companies.

What would you tell someone who is thinking about applying for a startup job through Startuplifers?

“It’s the best way to learn super fast and grow” – he says.

According to Riku, he had always had aspiration to start his own company one day. Besides working at a startup, Riku also gained insights into startup entrepreneurship at Aalto Entrepreneurship Society, where he acted as a team member and later as a board member. In 2015 together with two other founders, he established Meru Health. Meru Health is an online healthcare provider that offers an evidence-based program to reduce anxiety, depression, and burnout. In 2018 Meru was accepted to Y Combinator – a leading  startup accelerator for early stage companies. The program played an important role in the early development and growth of the company. 

Today, Meru Health continues to grow fast – the company recently secured a Series B Financing which helps them to continue transforming the way mental health care is provided. Are you interested in learning more about Meru Health? Read more about the company and their way of creating the new standard of mental healthcare.

Are you eager to hear more inspirational stories of Startuplifers alumni who became startup entrepreneurs after the program? Stay tuned for more founder stories on our blog and social media in the coming weeks!

If you are interested in working at a startup and perhaps gain the skills to become a startup founder yourself one day, check out our open positions today and join the community of game changers!

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