Article
The path from a bold vision to a successful acquisition – FabricAI
29/9/2025
min read
Business insights
Article
The path from a bold vision to a successful acquisition – FabricAI

In the vibrant world of Finnish startups, FabricAI's journey is a testament to the power of vision, perseverance, and strategic execution. Founded in 2018 by Tuukka Seeslahti and his partners – Juhani Tolvanen, Jarkko Tolvanen and Kaarle Putti – FabricAI rapidly carved its niche in the AI world by solving longstanding inefficiencies in how companies handle invoices. "You solve the problem that pains you," Tuukka explains, highlighting the personal frustration that ignited their innovation.
An aspiration to transform
FabricAI’s story started in Tampere, Finland, all because of their deep-seated frustration with how manual purchase invoice handling was. This sentiment was not unique to its founders, who all had a background as entrepreneurs and shared the same struggle. After getting to know each other in a startup accelerator, they decided to try tackling the widespread issue using modern technology and a simple goal in mind: automate the tedious task of purchase invoice handling. The core product would not only streamline operations, but also significantly reduce potential for human error, bringing a much-needed change to financial operations. Although the solution was originally developed out of their own craving, they offered it to customers right away. And this is how FabricAI was born.
From the outset, the founders had a unique and bold foresight. "We drew a five-year plan on a whiteboard, visualising it as a mountain with 'Exit to Visma' at its peak," Tuukka says. It was clear they had serious ambition and a determination to connect with a larger network to scale their innovation.
Building for entrepreneurs with laser focus
FabricAI has always prioritised solving real problems with precision. It was a product "built by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs," tailored to directly address the specific challenges faced by small businesses and accounting professionals. This dedication to solving genuine issues allowed FabricAI to not only build a formidable product but also cement its position as a pioneer in the application of AI within Finland.
Focus has been key in building a top-class product. During the early days, the founders received lots of requests from customers to widen the feature offering, but they stuck to their vision. Tuukka emphasises, “We have learned to say 'no' to distractions and concentrate on our core competency," a strategy that aligns with their principle of executing one task exceptionally well rather than spreading too broadly.
The allure of the Visma family
FabricAI's trajectory took an exciting turn when it joined Visma, an organisation highly regarded for supporting innovative startups. Although the goal of joining Visma was set in the early days, Tuukka emphasises that coincidence and even luck have played a significant role. The process kicked off when Tuukka’s co-founder Jarkko met Juha Mäntylä, a member of the board at Visma, while participating in Slush. That introduction led to a deal, with Visma acquiring a stake in the promising AI startup in 2020. “Then and there, we made a clear roadmap of how FabricAI would become a fully Visma-owned company”, Tuukka recalls. The final takeover happened in 2023 as FabricAI was merged into Visma Solutions, where it now operates as one of the product lines.
“Joining Visma allowed us to continue our growth within a supportive network, providing resources without sacrificing our entrepreneurial essence."
The decision to team up with Visma was guided by sustainable growth prospects and shared values that prioritised innovation and autonomy. The process came about through serendipitous networking, which shows the invaluable role of networking and being ready when opportunity strikes.
Looking forward
“The story continues, and so do the opportunities for innovation and growth."
Today, FabricAI is thriving under Visma Solutions as a part of the Visma family. Their tale of transformation from a startup to a crucial innovation partner within a larger company is not just a success story but an inspirational blueprint for other entrepreneurs. With Visma's backing, FabricAI is positioned for continued growth, reminding us of the potent combination of vision and action. FabricAI’s story encourages others to stay focused, network diligently, and seize opportunities. “One could say that the beginning of FabricAI is a textbook example of a successful startup. Next, we want to see if we can continue the journey by being a textbook example of a scale-up", Tuukka concludes.
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