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UpViser Spain turns 10

A Story of Flights, Courage and Vision: 10 Years of UpViser Spain

In 2025, we’re celebrating something very special: UpViser Spain turns 10. A decade of innovation, growth, and - above all - incredible people who have been part of our journey.

And how else could we start the celebrations than in the most symbolic and authentic way for us… by flying!

May 2025

The Balloon That Came From the North

You might not know this, but at UpViser, we have our very own hot air balloon. And it’s not just any balloon. It’s OH-UPI, a balloon with a unique story that connects our Finnish roots with our present in Spain.

This balloon originally belonged to Ilkka Korhonen, one of the co-founders of UpViser Finland and also one of the most active and passionate balloon pilots in his country. OH-UPI has mostly soared through the skies of Northern Europe, taking us to incredible places. One of its most memorable flights took place in extreme conditions, pushing both the crew and the equipment to their limits.

A Connection Born in the Sky

Interestingly, this balloon also connects directly to the origins of our Spanish team. David, the current owner and CEO of UpViser Spain, was part of a hot air balloon rescue team while living in Finland. That’s how he met Ilkka Korhonen, forming a friendship that would eventually shape the future of UpViser Spain.

Thanks to that connection, David and Olivia joined UpViser as the first team members of the Spanish branch in 2017, marking the beginning of a bold new chapter. And here we are today, celebrating a decade full of creativity, learning, and shared vision.

The 2012 Extreme Challenge

In February 2012, adventurer and TV personality Jesús Calleja and his team set out on a daring hot air balloon flight over Lake Inari (Inarijärvi), a vast frozen lake in Finnish Lapland. With temperatures nearing -40°C, they attempted a historic winter flight for the show Desafío Extremo.

The conditions were brutal: complex logistics, freezing air, limited visibility, and challenging balloon control. Upon landing, the wind pushed the balloon into a wooded area, and the envelope was severely torn when it collided with the trees. The basket got stuck high in the branches. Luckily, no one was injured - but the event went down in history as one of the most extreme flights ever made… both for the show and for OH-UPI itself.

Years later, that very balloon, repaired and full of stories, came into our hands as a meaningful gift. A perfect symbol of resilience, courage and growth.

April 2025: Our First Flight as a Team

It was in April of this year, in the magical region of Montserrat (Catalonia), that we took our first flight as the UpViser Spain team. A deeply emotional moment for David, Mirna, Olivia, and Manu, joined by expert pilots Miquel Mesegué and Àngel Aguirre from @globuskontiki.

That flight was more than just an activity. It was a statement of intent, a reflection of how we got here: by trusting, dreaming, and aiming high.

We were lucky to have Helena Salanoma from @llumvisual with us, who beautifully captured the magic of the moment.

10 Years Connecting People, Brands and Emotions

This aerial adventure was just the beginning of our 10th-anniversary celebrations. Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned in this past decade, it’s that the best ideas come from the heart, the team, and the courage to look ahead with hope.

Later this year, we’re planning an intimate and special event to celebrate with our closest collaborators and clients. And yes, our beloved OH-UPI balloon will be there too, joined by others, as a symbol of everything we’ve experienced together.

A Balloon… A Symbol

It’s no coincidence that our new logo features a hot air balloon. It represents everything we are: a company with deep roots and strong wings. Because to learn how to fly, you must first dream and work hard from the ground up.

Thank you for being part of this story.

The journey continues. And we’re only just lifting off.