From Lego to working on cars
Childhood Lego, bicycles and mopeds led to computers and cars. Working on cars became a way to learn technology hands-on: taking things apart, experimenting, repairing and sometimes starting again.
Pajalle’s story began long before the company. I wrote the first hobby website by hand in HTML, sharing car projects as they progressed. The idea was to share the work with other enthusiasts, including the moments when things didn’t go to plan.
I’ve worked on cars with my brother Pekka and friends. The website includes their projects too.
In the early years, my brother Pekka played a particularly important role. He helped a great deal with my own car projects, while I focused largely on photography and building the website. These stories would not exist in this form without his skills and help.
Technology and people
My interest in computers took me to Tampere University of Technology to study information technology, then through Nokia to Clothing+.
I spent 18 years at Clothing+, working in roles including project engineer, head of product development, chief technology officer and head of the business unit. It was a practical school of entrepreneurship. Alongside technology, I learnt about production, quality, finance, recruitment and, above all, people.
The work at Clothing+ was deeply international. The company had a factory in China and customers around the world. International trade and product development were a major part of the business, teaching me to consider technical solutions from the perspectives of customers and production in different countries.
From the home garage to Akkuauto
Akkuauto Finland grew out of our car hobby and the first Tesla battery repaired in my home garage.
I’m one of the founders of Akkuauto Finland Oy. My focus is on product development and building new technical solutions. Pajalle Oy is one of Akkuauto’s largest shareholders and carries out a wide range of subcontract work for the company.
Through Pajalle Oy, founded in 2024, I also offer electric vehicle servicing and repairs, particularly for electrical problems. Customer work is agreed individually, directly with me.
To Africa in the same Jetta
In winter 2026, my passion for cars took me to Africa in a four-wheel-drive Jetta Syncro as part of the Budapest–Bamako adventure. It is the same car whose earlier rust repairs and mechanical upgrades already feature in the project archive.
There are several videos of the trip on our YouTube channel. I also plan to write a project story about preparing the Jetta and the journey itself. In the meantime, you can read the Jetta’s earlier story in the archive.
Working together beyond the garage
Alongside work and car projects, I spend a lot of time volunteering and serving in community roles. I help with the day-to-day running of Leisku athletics club and take part in the work of the village association and Satakunnan Yleisurheilu, the regional athletics organisation. I also serve on the board of Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK), as a municipal councillor, and as chair of a municipal committee and the innovation and climate working groups.
Having too much spare time has never been a problem.
Always something new to learn
AI has become an important tool for me. It helps me explore ideas and build solutions that would have been much harder for a small team to achieve only a short time ago. It has also helped restore these old project stories.
I believe in lifelong learning, openness and the value of networks. You don’t have to know everything yourself or come up with the best business idea alone. When you share what you do and get to know people, someone may recognise you as the missing piece needed to build something new.