How Aavalabs Works: A Fully Remote Team Across the Globe

Aavalabs is a fully remote company founded in Finland in 2011. Our team works from locations across Europe, Asia, Australia and South America, with no fixed office and no daily commute. What started as a small family business has grown into an international team united by a shared love of health, travel and freedom.

Here is an honest look at how we work, why we chose this model and what it actually looks like in practice.

Why does Aavalabs work fully remotely?

We firmly believe that remote working models are the future. For our team, the ability to work from anywhere means more freedom, better work-life balance and the space to build a life that does not wait for the weekend. Our founder Otso Kääriäinen started Aavalabs together with his mother in Finland, and from the beginning the company was built around the idea that good work does not require a fixed location.

What are the main benefits of remote work for the Aavalabs team?

Freedom

The only requirement for working at Aavalabs is a reliable Wi-Fi connection during office hours. Our team has worked from a snowy log cabin in Lapland, from Cape Town and from the mountains of La Paz, Bolivia. For us, freedom means independence of location, but also freedom in how we structure our days and lives. Our team is made up of people who prefer not to be restricted by a traditional office environment.

Flexibility

Without long commutes and with the office always within reach, there is genuinely more time for family, hobbies and personal health. In a conventional office, it is unusual to go for a swim or do a workout during your lunch break. At Aavalabs, these things are part of the daily routine.

Work-life balance

Work-life balance is at the centre of our philosophy at Aavalabs. The ability to choose your work location and have more control over your working day promotes a healthier life balance. We do not wait for the weekend to enjoy life. Instead, we build those activities into our daily schedule.

Wanderlust

Our team is united by a love of travelling and an active, health-focused lifestyle. Our motto is simple: the world is our home. This love of travel is a fundamental part of our culture and shapes how we experience both work and life.

Happiness

One of the core values of Aavalabs is happiness. By working remotely, we can better cater to our individual needs, which leads to greater satisfaction. The ability to seamlessly connect work life and personal life contributes to the overall wellbeing of our team.

How does a fully remote team stay organised and connected?

With team members spread across multiple continents and time zones, smooth communication is essential. We rely on well-established processes and a small set of tools to keep everything running.

The tools we use include Google G Suite, Asana, Slack, Loom and Calendly. But our most important tool is communication. We talk every week to discuss everything from marketing to logistics, and we maintain a friendly, collegial atmosphere through weekly group conversations where we share weekend plans and personal news.

What are the Aavalabs workations?

Our annual workations are the highlight of the year. The whole team gathers in one place — in summer we enjoy the beautiful nature of Finland, and in winter we often choose a sunny destination. In 2019 we met in Finland and Cape Town, and in 2022 in Madrid.

These trips involve intensive work and planning, but also plenty of time for excursions, outdoor activities and socialising. As we do not meet face-to-face regularly, these gatherings are a fantastic opportunity to connect away from the screen. At our last workation in Madrid, we left digital devices aside for a full week to enjoy the city and time with colleagues. Despite our love of technology, a digital detox is incredibly refreshing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Aavalabs based?

Aavalabs was founded in Finland in 2011 and is officially based in Vantaa, Finland. However, the team works fully remotely from locations across Europe, Asia, Australia and South America.

Who founded Aavalabs?

Aavalabs was founded by Otso Kääriäinen and his mother as a small Finnish family business. It has since grown into an international company with a remote team spread across the globe.

How does Aavalabs manage a remote team across different time zones?

Aavalabs uses a combination of tools including Slack, Asana, Google G Suite, Loom and Calendly to stay organised across time zones. Weekly calls and group discussions ensure the team stays connected, aligned and informed regardless of location.

What is the company culture like at Aavalabs?

Aavalabs has a culture built around freedom, health, travel and happiness. Team members are free thinkers who value flexibility and work-life balance. Annual workations bring the whole team together in person, combining focused work sessions with shared experiences and outdoor activities.

Does Aavalabs have a physical office?

No. Aavalabs operates as a fully remote company with no fixed office location. The entire team works independently from their chosen locations, connected through digital tools and a shared commitment to clear communication.