Mikael Toikka

I have experience as a founder in the consumer social space, and as an associate at a hedge fund.

During my time as a co-founder of Locale Dating LLC, I was able to build out and successfully launch the business in two cities (Boston and Los Angeles) along with securing over 30+ partner venues and 500+ users. In addition to this, my venture participated in the Boston University accelerator, placing 1st of 12 teams on demo day, and receiving investment from Boston University itself.

Currently I am employed at AlphaCrest Capital Management, where I operate as an associate with experience working on B2B fintech deals (deck construction, modeling, market research, business model structuring) in addition to other duties that include sector/market analysis, proforma revenue model construction, etc. I find these analytical skills specifically to be very applicable to the venture capital process.

Locale Dating LLC, Boston, MA Co-Founder

• Founded a B2B & B2C geolocational matchmaking business allowing users to connect in real time within the same venue (200k+ social media views, 2k+ social media shares, 600+ users and waitlist signups, college ambassadorship programs established at 3 universities)
• Secured partnerships with 30+ venues between Los Angeles and Boston, drove 250+ patrons to first 3 activation events (resulted in an average revenue increase of ~20% for participating partner venues on event nights)
• Finalist in Boston University’s New Venture Pitch Competition 2022 (“NVC”)
• Attended Boston University’s Accelerator 2022 cohort, ranked 1st of 12 teams on demo day
• Received grants from and attended Andreessen Horowitz backed incubator in Los Angeles
• Received investment from Boston University
• Member of Amazon Web Services Activate startup support program, awarded the max 100k AWS credit

AlphaCrest Capital Management, New York, NY

Associate (August 2022 – Present)

• Conducted market analysis, built proforma revenue models, and co-led business development initiatives for a quantitative hedge fund based in NYC
• Conducted analysis and built pitch decks for a machine-learning/AI spinout of the main hedge fund’s IP, in addition to strategic B2B business model structuring
• Evaluated companies and technology for investment 

Analyst (October 2021 – August 2022)

• Conducted factor analysis and drafted generic marketing materials for the firm
• Facilitated communication with prime brokers over trade execution and financing of the book
• Led ESG initiative overhaul, coordinated with all aspects of the firm to create and implement new security blacklists/protocols

Boston University Questrom School of Business, Boston, MA

Bachelors of Science Business Administration

Notable classes taken: Managerial and Financial Accounting, Financing new Ventures (Venture Capital),

Investment Banking, Finance

• CORE Accolade: CORE is a semester long 4-class interconnected curriculum where teams must create a fully-fledged business plan by the end of the semester based upon the teams own original business idea. The business plan includes elements of marketing, operational management, financial modeling, and information systems. My teams CORE project was distinguished by faculty as one of three finalists and was sponsored to compete in the TJX Core Challenge
• Boston University TED talk nomination: My personal TED talk speech for a business public speaking class was nominated by popular vote to compete in a Boston wide TED talk competition