M ika Anttonen is a self-made Finnish energy magnate and the founder, majority owner, and chairman of the energy company St1 Nordic Oy. An engineer by training, he began his career as a trader in the oil industry. In the mid-1990s, he struck out on his own, founding a company focused on the wholesale and retail of petroleum products. He built a chain of discount, unmanned gas stations in Finland under the St1 brand, a disruptive model that allowed for lower operating costs.

While his initial fortune was built on fossil fuels, Anttonen has become a major force and passionate advocate for the transition to renewable energy. He has invested heavily in developing and commercializing advanced biofuels, geothermal energy, and wind power, with a stated mission to replace fossil energy sources "piece by piece." He has steered St1 to become a leader in renewable energy projects across the Nordic region. This strategic pivot has not only grown his fortune but also positioned him as a key figure in Finland's green energy transition.