Techbikers Blog Why we sponsor TechBikers: Peik Hmekoski, Rising North

Our sponsors aren't just aligned with TechBikers' values, they cover costs so that every single €, £ and $ donated goes direct to Room to Read. We caught up with Rising North's Operations Manager Peik Hämekoski to talk books, bikes and why they love supporting TechBikers as a sponsor.What was it about our 450km Copenhagen to Berlin cycling challenge for Room to Read that made Rising North decide to sponsor TechBikers?Rising North could be described as a micro VC fund for the startup ecosystem. The fund gives out grants to events, trips and projects that help Nordic startups grow. Rising North is unique in the sense that it only finances projects that are organised jointly by at least three different Nordic organisations. We wanted to back Techbikers because it seemed like a cool way for the Nordic tech ecosystem to meet one another in a unique environment while at the same time pushing people physically to new heights.
What's your favourite thing about this cycling challenge?The cool thing with the Copenhagen to Berlin ride is the way it's connecting the Nordic tech scene to other parts of Europe. Hopefully, it won't just inspire new Nordic collaboration but also lead to partnerships with the German tech scene.Do you generally cycle?Whenever I have free time, I'm either riding or fixing bicycles. I've built three bikes from scratch and I own at least seven bikes, all with their own use cases. I commute to downtown Helsinki almost year round with my cyclocross.Why is tech having a positive impact around the world important?Technology is one of the fundamental things democratising the world. Previously, natural resources and the geographical location had a huge impact on the success of a region. Thanks to modern technological breakthroughs, with the right attitude and policies almost any region can become prosperous.
Which books did you love when you were younger?Well, being born in the '90s Harry Potter obviously played a huge role in my childhood but on top of them, it's hard to name any specific book.
Which book has had a big impact on you as an adult? For me, it's really hard to say afterwards if a book has had a big impact but I think for example, Walter Isaacson's biography on Steven Jobs did change the way I think especially in regards to the mistakes that Jobs had made as a young entrepreneur.What are the next three books on your team's reading list?
The next three books I have in the shelf waiting for me are some of the must-reads for anyone working in the startup ecosystem: Ed Catmull's Creativity Inc, The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz and Ashlee Vance's biography on Elon Musk.
What are you most looking forward to celebrating when TechBikers cross the finish line?The fact that the trip has forged numerous new friendships between Nordic and German tech people - not only opening new doors to the individuals but hopefully pushing the Nordic tech ecosystem as a whole forward.
Tell us a bit more about Rising North. What should tech startups know?Rising North is a three year €1.5 million fund that has been set to help accelerate Nordic collaboration and help Nordic startups. Rising North provides grants of up to €50,000 and so far we have funded 18 different projects. Descriptions of these can be found on risingnorth.org.Rising North's next application deadline for new projects is on 15th September. To apply, click hereTo sponsor one of our TechBikers cycling 450km Copenhagen to Berlin, click here. All donations go direct to Room to Read so your donation will be helping to give every child the chance to learn to read.