Finnish Laser Technology – Cajo’s 15-Year Journey from a Van to an International Growth Company
Fifteen years ago, two engineering students’ idea for a Laser Marking Car set wheels in motion in a way that the brothers could never have imagined. Today, Cajo Technologies is an international pioneer whose laser technology challenges and revolutionizes traditional product marking in an ecological and intelligent way.
How Cajo Started: From a Mobile Idea to a Business Venture
The story of Cajo began in 2010, when Niko, a mechanical and production engineering student, and Tomi, a software expert, took part in the national Kickstart Business competition.
The Karsikas brothers had no previous experience with laser technology. Only Niko had encountered laser marking processes during his summer jobs and was impressed by what you could do with light.
The brothers’ idea for the competition was to offer laser marking services from a Mobile Unit. The idea won, and the business plan was refined at the OAMK Business Incubator. Soon, they built a laser laboratory in an old Iveco van. This was the beginning of Mobilemarking Ltd., which became Cajo Technologies Ltd. in 2015. It was the first step towards sustainable marking solutions.
” We built the car interior in outdoors during winter. First, we had to warm up the cabin, and only then could we move the lasers into the car, “Tomi Karsikas, CTO of Cajo
” People talk about ”Garage business”, but we didn’t even have a garage”, jokingly says Niko Karsikas, the CEO of Cajo, and continues: ”We had the ironclad confidence that comes from complete ignorance, a hard-working attitude, and the need to develop and produce added value for the end customer. Those were the key ingredients that got us started in the early days. Since then, our growth has taken us founders into several different business areas, and that same entrepreneurial spirit continues to burn brightly.”
From Mother’s Day card to a patent
The brothers had no previous experience with laser technology, which soon proved to be an advantage. Their work was guided by a complete lack of preconceptions about what could and could not be achieved with lasers. They learned and innovated boldly through experimentation. The limits of technology were constantly being challenged, and this attitude is still evident in Cajo’s work today.
The first color marking was created partly by chance in the form of a Mother’s Day card. A customer’s request for a red rose as a gift for their mother prompted Tomi to try out new methods. The result was Cajo’s first laser color marking on stainless steel. This became Cajo’s first industrial marking innovation, and the developed color marking technology was granted a method patent.
Cajo’s first color marking with a laser. The technology is based on the refraction of light through an oxide film.
From Services to System Deliveries
In its early years, the company had a culture of experimentation, where everything from tools to boilers and mailboxes to bicycles were marked with laser. This experimentation phase has since evolved into a systematic approach, but those early years provided a broad base of experience with different materials, which has created a solid foundation for Cajo’s current process expertise.
Things started to pick up speed when metal companies such as Outokumpu became interested in the quality of Cajo’s laser marking. This led to the decision to expand the business. The first round of capital investment enabled the transition from a Service Business to a System Supplier. The first system delivery was made to Bombardier’s sleigh factory in Rovaniemi, where the machine is still in use as a backup. This shows that software-controlled laser marking is not only durable but also a reliable and scalable solution for industrial needs.
The key enabler for Cajo’s transition into a System Supplier and its growth has been, above all, a committed and skilled team. Cajo’s longest-serving employees have been part of the journey for nearly ten years, growing alongside the company. At Cajo, there is a strong belief that development never stops. According to team feedback, the best part is the continuous learning, and while one can never be too good, successes are celebrated together. Mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, and every step forward counts.
Cajo’s (Mobilemarking Ltd. at the time) first System delivery in 20214.
Smart Control of the Marking Process
The brothers quickly realized that commercially available software and components were limiting development. The company’s next major leap was the creation of its own software and control board, the Cajo Control Board™. This enabled full process control and moved Cajo toward technological independence.
“The decision to develop our own control board and software was a major milestone and a significant financial investment. But it was absolutely the right path to take,” says Tomi Karsikas.
At the same time, a new intelligent operating software was born, CajoSuite™, which allows customers to manage marking processes individually and integrate them into existing production systems.
Cajo having its own core technology not only enables optimal control of the laser process, but also provides the agility to continuously develop the technology to meet evolving customer needs, keeping Cajo at the forefront of software-controlled marking.
Cajo’s own control card, Cajo Control Board™, and CajoSuite™ operating software.
Export Technology and Continuous Growth
Today, Cajo Technologies Ltd. is a rapidly growing company in international markets, offering comprehensive solutions for traceability and product marking based on its own product development. Cajo’s long-lasting and maintenance-free laser marking solutions are designed to replace traditional methods such as inkjet, label, and engraving technologies. The chemical-free laser technology enables machine-readable markings that last throughout the product’s lifecycle, while reducing the carbon footprint by up to 90%. Device manufacturing takes place in Kempele, Finland, with significant use of domestic subcontractors. Cajo’s devices have been awarded the Key Flag Symbol as a mark of Finnish quality.
At 15 years old, Cajo has established itself as an international player, with its technology delivered to over 85 countries. Recent growth has been accelerated by several key milestones:
- Establishment of a subsidiary in India’s vast market: Initially focused on sales, but as the market potential in the Food and Packaging Industries became clear, the company decided to move into local assembly. This ensures the technology adapts to local needs.
- Strategic partnership with Profican Ltd.: A perfect partner for scalable device platforms was found in Kalajoki, and Profican Oy became a Cajo subsidiary in 2023. Cajo’s software and laser technology combined with Profican’s expertise in part handling and integration enables extensive, customer-specific solutions. The collaboration brings significant advantages to production, resulting in ease of use for the customer.
- Investment from Emerald Technology Ventures: In June 2025, Cajo received a major investment to accelerate commercial operations, international expansion, research and development, production capabilities, and customer success.
The premises of Cajo’s subsidiary, Cajo India. From left to right in the photo: Pawan Kumar, Mika Karsikas, Martin V, Janne Mäkelä, and Valtteri Heikkinen.
Laser Is Revolutionizing the Marking Industry
It’s clear that the global Food, Beverage, and Packaging Industries are undergoing a major transformation. Companies are facing increasingly strict demands to reduce their carbon footprint, improve the recyclability of packaging materials, and minimize the ecological impact of production. At the same time, consumers are demanding transparency, traceability, and responsibility. A key part of this shift is product marking, and especially the way markings are implemented.
Cajo is well-positioned in this change. Unlike traditional industry players, Cajo does not rely on consumables such as additives, but instead on genuine technological solutions that are environmentally friendly while also improving production efficiency and reducing costs for customers.
Cajo is not just a device manufacturer, it’s a reformer of future product marking. Cajo’s patented MakeBright™ technology offers an ecological way to mark directly onto organic packaging surfaces without labels or ink. Another example is the UV laser-based devices that can replace traditional thermal transfer printers. These innovations reflect Cajo’s commitment: to continuously develop new, sustainable solutions and leave a lasting mark on the entire industry.
15 Years – And the Journey is just Beginning
The story behind the company name encapsulates Cajo’s mission: CAJO originates from the Finnish word “kajo”, meaning the first reflection of light. It perfectly represents the company’s essence, technology that reveals a visible, lasting mark. Cajo’s devices are named after constellations, because when you play with light, even the names can reflect ambitions that reach for the stars. At Cajo, the greatest challenge is marking flowing water permanently.
Although only the first segments of the journey, which began with a van, have been travelled, it already stands as an impressive example of what a Finnish growth company can achieve by combining courage, expertise, and a vision for the future of industry.
Cajo Technologies and its employees see the future clearly:
“We change the world of coding and marking.”
“Cajo Get-Together 2025“, Cajo together with its subsidiary Profican.
