We are delighted to announce an exceptional technology addition to the 3DBear team. Jari Mustonen brings a rare combination: a serial entrepreneur's experience, a technology and software development leader's vision, and a background in both psychology and physics.
Jari describes himself as someone who envisions things in his mind first. Problem identification, engineering creativity, and the desire to build with his hands come together naturally: "I imagine the solution in my head first, and then I build it." Jari also references a verse by Finnish songwriter Tuure Kilpeläinen: "Not a single bolt, stone church, or suspension bridge was born on its own — each first existed inside someone's head." This approach was evident when he joined the team: Jari observed the big picture with curiosity, asked carefully considered questions, and introduced thoughtful new ways of working into our daily routine.
Jari has created a great deal before, but as a CEO, his work inevitably fragmented into many other responsibilities. In his new role, he values being able to focus on building technology over the long term without the constant pressure of interruptions.
Agent-based AI systems are at a rare stage — no longer just research, but not yet established products either. That's precisely why Jari finds this moment the most exciting: the technology is still being born, and individual solutions have an outsized impact on where the field develops.
"It's wonderful to focus on creating at a time when a massive technological leap is still taking shape. At this stage, you can truly influence the direction it grows."
Jari's work directly impacts how teachers and students will use Simuna for years to come. The tools he develops enable faster content production, automation, consistent materials, and more time freed up for pedagogical design — which we know is the most important part of teachers' work.
On a deeper level, Jari's principles run deep. He often reminds us that a person is the sum of their life experiences. His background — from a children's home, through the IT world, and through various leadership roles — has made him someone who takes his work seriously. There's also a hint of Stoic thinking in Jari's work:
"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
Jari lives with his family surrounded by nature. Photo taken during a Länsi-Savo interview in 2021.
Beyond family, Jari's daily life includes sudoku puzzles, a fascination with everything space-related, and a Sunday passion: American football. His bookshelf holds Milton's poetry, Dante, the Kalevala, and Marcus Aurelius's reflections — topics he enjoys discussing and has even organized reading circles around. Jari also has an exceptionally deep knowledge of American politics but rarely brings it up. "People get upset easily," he notes. His spouse describes him simply and concisely: demanding of himself, curious, family-oriented.
Jari's forward-looking attitude is simple and calm: he wants to build the best technology possible and be of help to others. "The goal is to make this the best product in the world and to be of help to others in the things where I can." As our CEO Jussi Kajala summarizes:
"Jari has a remarkably clear way of seeing what technology can accomplish. His work will be visible in Simuna — and in Finnish educational technology — for a long time to come."
We're delighted to have Jari as a part of our team.
A warm welcome, Jari!