The person behind Calixo.
My name is Markku Hihnala. I started Calixo because I kept seeing the same problem — businesses that were ready for AI but couldn't find anyone to help them think about it clearly.
I've been working with technology since the mid-1980s — long before AI became a headline. Over the years I've worked across sales, IT, logistics, and circular economy business. I started using AI models as soon as they became available, studied the tools, watched the space evolve, and paid close attention to how businesses were actually responding to it.
What I noticed was a gap. Larger companies could afford expensive consultants. Developers had endless YouTube tutorials and model comparisons. But established businesses — the ones with real operations, real customers, and real workflows — were left navigating an overwhelming amount of noise without anyone speaking their language.
That's the gap Calixo was built to fill.
My approach starts with education and clarity, not tools. Before anything is built or recommended, I make sure the business owner actually understands what AI is, what it can realistically do for their business, and what it can't. Then we build a strategy and a roadmap together.
And if AI isn't the right move — I'll say so. Clearly and directly. No jargon, no pressure, no solutions in search of a problem.
I'm based in Finland and work remotely with clients across English-speaking markets. Finns have a reputation for directness, reliability, and taking commitments seriously — and that reputation is well earned. When I say I'll deliver something, I deliver it. When I give you an honest assessment, I mean it.
In a space full of hype and overpromising, I'd rather be the voice of reason.