Introducing our CEO & Founder: Jaakko Rytsölä
" Let's Provide The Kind of Service We Would Buy Ourselves"
— Jaakko Rytsölä, CEO, Devolon
At the time, in the late 80s computers were not yet common household items, and accessories were sold only in a few specialized stores. So, Jaakko ordered CDs in bulk from overseas and sold them at the schoolyard, and not only that, but they also employed salesmen from other schools and paid them provisions.
Later on, Jaakko founded his own IT store and then made a break by founding DLC - one of the first internet providers in the country. The company grew rapidly thanks to excellent service (it supported free of charge) and innovative pricing (yearly contracts with unlimited usage instead of per-minute billing).
Soon the company merged with two other independent providers and was listed in the Finnish stock market by the name "Saunalahden Server".
Jaakko exited and funded two new companies: Sunpoint.net - an internet site with news, discussions page, and email, and Neocard - debit card for students with deferred payment option.
Neocard evolved into a service provider when multiple clothing and restaurant chains reached out to Jaakko to develop a loyalty card system for them.
Production was transferred from Helsinki to Tartu, Estonia and then a new office was opened in Yerevan, Armenia.
Around 2015 started the design of a new product – PCKT, a debit card for 7-15 years old kids aims to help children and young people with financial skills.
"The idea is that the parent can give the child a weekly allowance, or can pay him or her to do housework, for example. When a child receives money through the application, they can think with the parent about what the money will go for and how much will be saved from it. If a child does not understand consumption and saving goals from childhood, what happens when the child turns 18 and can apply for a credit card", they explains.
Neocard was renamed PCKT Money Plc and the service provider business was spun off into a subsidiary and named Devolon.
Gradually Devolon evolved from a company that focuses on loyal customer software into an all-around IT house which it is today.
"Let's provide the kind of service we would be buying ourselves."
Jaakko Rytsölä, CEO, Devolon
In 2022 Jaakko will continue to run several businesses. He has expanded beyond tech by opening an escape room chain called Truescape and on to publishing with a magazine called Freestyle. He lives in Kirkkonummi, Finland and has two underage kids.
A hobby? Singing in a rock band. The rock band is called "Länsiväylä," which means "Western Passage." They recently released their first song, "Kesäbiisi" - "Summer Song". Click here if you want to listen.