Janne Hellsten

I came to software development from an unusual direction. Before writing code professionally, I spent a decade as a bike mechanic and in retail, worked on a cargo ship, drove trucks, and spent time on construction sites. That hands-on background shapes how I approach software — I care about what actually works for the people using it, not just what's technically elegant.

While still in retail I studied for a business degree, which eventually helped push me toward tech. Once I made the switch I went back to school again — graduating with a Bachelor's in Information Technology from Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences in 2022, while already working as a developer.

My core expertise is Node.js and backend development, though I'm equally comfortable building polished interfaces with React and React Native. I'm a strong believer in TypeScript for maintainable, scalable code, and PostgreSQL is where I do some of my best work — I have a particular fondness for complex queries and getting the data layer exactly right.

I've also served as a CTO, overseeing software development, project management, process improvement, hiring, and supporting sales through project estimation. That experience taught me that good software is as much about people and process as it is about code — and I'm most in my element where those two worlds meet.