Niilo Maki Institute

What Niilo Maki Institute does

Niilo Mäki Institute (Niilo Mäki Instituutti) is a Finnish research and development institute founded in 1990 and operated by the Niilo Mäki Foundation in Jyväskylä, Finland. It develops research-based educational and clinical assessment tools, digital screening instruments, intervention programs, and professional publications focused on the identification and remediation of learning difficulties in children — spanning reading and writing, mathematics, language and speech, executive function, neurological development, and digital wellbeing. The portfolio includes standardized tools such as LENE (neurological assessment for ages 2.5-6), YKÄ and AKI (literacy assessment), DigiLukiseula (digital reading/writing screening), BANUCA and KTLT (arithmetic), SANASEULA, Pragma and Kissatarina (language and narrative skills), and VIKKE (Finnish sign language development). Intervention offerings include LeKe / LeKe perheille, MALTTI/FOKUS, and KUMMI 9 (Työrauha kaikille), supported by the KUMMI publication series, the NMI Bulletin journal, the NMI Klinikka clinical service, and a podcast.

The institute serves three primary segments: education professionals (special education teachers, classroom teachers), healthcare professionals (psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and child health clinic staff in the Neuvola system), and families of children with special needs. Go-to-market is sales-led, executed through the KOJU e-commerce storefront (koju.nmi.fi), paid training courses and webinars, in-person training across Finnish cities, and professional networks. Pricing is modular and low-ticket: publications €15-390, assessment tools €85-390, and training €50-600, with group discounts available. Underlying funding comes from a mix of commercial sales and grants from Stea, the Finnish National Agency for Education (Utbildningsstyrelsen), Teknologiateollisuuden 100-vuotissäätiö, and Kommunalrådet C. G. Sundells stiftelse, plus co-development partnerships with the University of Helsinki, University of Jyväskylä, University of Oulu, University of Eastern Finland, and Åbo Akademi. Geographic reach is essentially single-country: Finland with a dedicated Swedish-language (Svenskfinland) track, with the KEKO project representing the institute's first formal step toward international markets.

Name

Niilo Maki Institute

Legal name

Niilo Mäki Instituutti

Website

https://nmi.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Niilo Mäki Institute is a Finnish research institute that develops research-based assessment tools, digital screening instruments, intervention programs, and publications for identifying and supporting children with learning difficulties, serving educators, healthcare professionals, and families primarily in Finland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Assessment and Learning Difficulty Intervention

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Psychoeducational & Educational Assessments (IEE Support) (EDAKACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Learning Disability (LD) Psychoeducational Assessment (EDAKAJAB), Special Education Evaluation & Assessment (Psychoeducational, Speech/Language, OT/PT) (EDAJAKAA), Assessment, Testing & Analytics Platforms (Formative/Summative) (EDAJAMAC), Language Assessment, Placement Testing & Proficiency Certification Tools (EDAFAOAH), Assessment & Item Writing / Test Content Development (EDAGAKAE)

Keywords

• Educational assessment tools
• Learning difficulty screening
• Special education materials
• Professional development training
• Intervention programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Jyväskylä

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Publications and Books Sales: Sale of research-based publications, books, and guides in the KUMMI series covering assessment, teaching, and rehabilitation methods for learning difficulties. Includes e-books and printed materials.
2. Training Courses and Webinars: Paid training programs, webinars, and professional development courses for educators, psychologists, speech therapists, and other professionals working with children.
3. Assessment Tools and Tests: Sale of diagnostic and screening tools for learning assessment including LENE, YKÄ, AKI, BANUCA, KTLT, and other standardized assessment instruments.
4. Digital Learning Materials: Digital products including DigiLukiseula online assessments, e-learning materials, and downloadable resources.
5. NAPP Screening Materials: Screening materials for early language skills assessment for Finnish-Swedish 5-6 year olds, to be sold via Niilo Mäki Institute.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Niilo Mäki Institute is a Finnish research and development institute that produces and sells research-based educational assessment tools, digital screening instruments, intervention programs, and professional training courses focused on identifying and supporting children with learning difficulties. The portfolio spans literacy, mathematics, language, executive function, and neurological development assessments for ages 0–16+, complemented by a clinical assessment service (NMI Klinikka) and the KUMMI publication series.

Product overview

Niilo Maki Institute offers a comprehensive portfolio of research-based educational assessment tools, intervention programs, and publications focused on learning and learning difficulties. The product portfolio includes: (1) Digital screening tools (DigiLukiseula series) for reading/writing skills across grades 1-12 and adults; (2) Individual assessment methods (AKI, YKÄ) for comprehensive literacy evaluation; (3) Neurological and developmental assessments (LENE) for preschool children; (4) Mathematics assessment tools (KTLT, BANUCA); (5) Language and speech assessments (SANASEULA, Pragma, Kissatarina, VIKKE); (6) Intervention programs for executive function and self-regulation (LeKe, MALTTI/FOKUS, HURTIG); (7) The KUMMI publication series covering assessment, teaching, and rehabilitation methods; and (8) The NMI Bulletin research journal. The portfolio operates as a multi-product ecosystem supporting the full learning journey from early childhood screening through school-based assessment to targeted interventions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LENE – Leikki-ikäisen lapsen neurologinen arvio Neurological development assessment method for children aged 2.5-6 years, used in Finnish child health clinics to identify developmental problems that may predict learning difficulties.
• YKÄ – Luku- ja kirjoitustaidon arviointimenetelmä yläkouluun Reading and writing skills assessment method for upper secondary school students, enabling comprehensive evaluation of literacy competencies.
• AKI – Alakoulun DigiLukiseula Digital screening tool for reading and writing skills for grades 3-6, enabling efficient identification of support needs in literacy development.
• AKI – Luku- ja kirjoitustaidon arviointimenetelmä alakoulun luokille 1–6 Comprehensive reading and writing assessment method for grades 1-6, including individual assessment and learning monitoring tools.
• KTLT – Laskutaidon testi Arithmetic skills test for assessing mathematical computation abilities.
• BANUCA – Laskutaidon testi 7-9-vuotiaille Arithmetic skills test specifically designed for children aged 7-9 years.
• SANASEULA – Lapsen varhaisen sanaston kehityksen seulontamenetelmä Screening method for assessing early vocabulary development in children.
• Pragma-testi – Sosiaalisen ja pragmaattisen kielen ymmärtämisen testi Test for assessing social and pragmatic language comprehension.
• Kissatarina – Lapsen kerrontataitojen arviointimenetelmä Assessment method for evaluating children's narrative skills.
• ESIKKO – Lapsen esikielellisen kommunikaation ja kielen ensikartoitus Initial assessment for pre-linguistic communication and language development in children.
• LUKIVA – Lukivalmiuksien arviointimenetelmä 4-5-vuotiaille Reading readiness assessment method for children aged 4-5 years.
• ILS – Individuell Läsning och Skrivning Individual reading and writing support materials for Finnish-Swedish schools, including materials for grades 7-9 and digital formats (ILS-Digi).
• LeKe (Leikitään ja keskitytään) – Toiminnanohjauksen tukeminen Research-based intervention program for executive function support in young children, available for both professional training and family implementation (LeKe perheille).
• MALTTI / KUMMI 8 – Tarkkaavuuden ja toiminnanohjauksen ryhmäkuntoutus Group rehabilitation program for attention and executive function, with Swedish version FOKUS for ages 8-11 with attention difficulties.
• KUMMI 13. HURTIG – Konsultaatiomalli päiväkoteihin Consultation model for structured support for restless children in daycare settings, with Swedish version available.
• KUMMI 19 – Itsesäätely ja toiminnanohjaus Research-based support model for self-regulation and executive function in school settings, covering direction, motivation, and capacity support.
• KUMMI 9 – Työrauha kaikille Action model for reducing classroom disruption and supporting positive behavior in schools.
• KUMMI-julkaisusarja (KUMMI Publication Series) Comprehensive series of publications on learning and learning difficulties, covering assessment, teaching, and rehabilitation methods.
• NMI Bulletin – Oppimisen ja oppimisvaikeuksien erityislehti Special journal on learning and learning difficulties published by Niilo Mäki Institute, featuring research articles.
• NMI Klinikka / Lastentutkimusklinikka Children's research clinic providing assessments and consultations for learning and developmental concerns.
• DigiLukiseula nuorille ja aikuisille Digital reading and writing skills assessment for young people and adults over 15 years old.
• Yläkoulun DigiLukiseula Digital reading and writing skills assessment for grades 7-8 of upper secondary school.
• EPM – pelaamalla paremmaksi (Gamified Mathematics Training) Gamified practice method for mathematics skills training for grades 3-6, with adaptation mechanisms for appropriate difficulty levels.

Quantifiable outcome

• LeKe intervention effectiveness: attention-related problems decreased, hyperactivity decreased, aggressive behavior decreased, with effects maintained at 3-month follow-up
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Oppimisen dynamiikan ja interventiotutkimuksen huippututkimusyksikkö (InterLearn)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Co-organizer of annual National Learning and Learning Difficulties Researcher Meeting with University of Jyväskylä's Centre of Excellence for Learning Dynamics and Intervention Research.
• Helsingin yliopisto (University of Helsinki)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022NISULUKO research and development project (2022-2025) on naming, word fluency, and reading skills in schools. Collaboration with University's Faculty of Medicine's psychology and speech therapy department. Project leader Paula Salmi works at both NMI and University of Helsinki.
• Jyväskylän yliopisto (Other collaborations)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Collaboration on thesis work in speech therapy and special education. NISULUKO project includes thesis supervision and research collaboration with University's Faculty of Education.
• Oulun yliopisto (University of Oulu)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022NISULUKO project collaboration with University's Faculty of Humanities, speech therapy unit.
• Itä-Suomen yliopisto (University of Eastern Finland)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022NISULUKO project collaboration with University's speech therapy unit.
• Jyväskylän yliopisto (University of Jyväskylä)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021EPM project (2021-2024) on game-based mathematics training for grades 3-6. Collaboration with University of Jyväskylä on research-based development of gamified learning methods. Partners include Tuire Koponen, Jarno Rautiainen, Markus Hähkiöniemi, and Matilda Hamara.
• Jyväskylän yliopisto - Viittomakielen keskuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019VIKKE project - development of Finnish sign language assessment tools for children. Three-phase project initiated at University of Jyväskylä's sign language center, creating first assessment tool for Finnish sign language development evaluation for children ages 8 months to 15 years.
• Kuntoutussäätiö (Rehabilitation Foundation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on remote group-based reading rehabilitation project investigating how rehabilitation works in Finland.
• Åbo AkademiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNISULUKO project advisory group member Professor Matti Laine from Åbo Akademi University.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Sanako: Sanako is a Finnish education technology company offering language learning and classroom tools globally. Comparable as a Finnish-rooted education technology provider serving schools, though focused on language teaching rather than learning-difficulty assessment.

Broad incumbents

• Pearson Clinical Assessment: Pearson's clinical and educational assessment division offers a broad portfolio of psychometric and learning-difficulty assessments (e.g., WISC, WIAT). Comparable to NMI as a developer of standardized assessment tools for learning difficulties, though operating at global scale with English-language norms versus NMI's Finnish specialization.
• Riverside Insights: Riverside Insights (formerly Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's assessment division) provides cognitive, behavioral, and academic assessments including the Woodcock-Johnson series. Comparable to NMI's individual assessment and learning monitoring methodology at a much larger scale.
• Hogrefe: Hogrefe is an international publisher of psychological and educational assessment instruments with strong Nordic and German-speaking European presence. Comparable to NMI as a publisher of validated psychometric tests, including dyslexia and learning-difficulty assessments.
• GL Assessment (Pearson): GL Assessment, part of Pearson, provides standardized assessments for schools including dyslexia screening and progress tests. Comparable to NMI's DigiLukiseula screening tools and broader literacy assessment portfolio in the K-12 segment.

Direct peers

• Psychological Assessment Resources (PAR): PAR develops and distributes psychological and educational assessment instruments used by clinicians and educators to identify learning, behavioral, and neuropsychological conditions. Directly comparable to NMI's psychometric assessment tools (e.g., LENE, AKI, BANUCA).
• Western Psychological Services (WPS): WPS publishes psychological and educational assessment products for clinicians, schools, and researchers. Comparable to NMI as a publisher of standardized tests and intervention materials focused on learning difficulties and developmental assessment.
• LukiMat: LukiMat is a Finnish learning-difficulty assessment and intervention platform developed with Niilo Mäki Institute involvement. Directly comparable to NMI as a digital assessment tool for reading and mathematics difficulties targeting Finnish schools.
• Pro-Ed: Pro-Ed publishes standardized assessments, instructional materials, and professional resources for special education and speech-language pathology. Comparable to NMI's assessment tools and KUMMI publication series serving special education professionals.

Emerging players

• Lexplore: Lexplore is a Swedish/Nordic ed-tech company using AI-driven eye-tracking to screen for reading difficulties such as dyslexia. Comparable to NMI's reading assessment portfolio (DigiLukiseula, AKI, NISULUKO), but competing with a technology-first, scalable approach in overlapping Nordic markets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NMItiedotus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/niilo-maki-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Niilo Maki Institute