Entrepreneurship and innovations
Boldly forward
Every year at Aalto, around a hundred start-up companies are born, supported by professors of practice and academic staff with entrepreneurial backgrounds, and inspired by a multidisciplinary student body. More than half of all university-born startups in Finland get their start at Aalto. Not all of them grow into success stories – but some do! And those that do drive forward our entire society, measured in wellbeing, employment and investments.
A bright and sustainable future needs bold individuals who dare to try and fail – and try again.
As a society, we will continue to need bold thinkers and doers, and that is exactly why now is the time to invest in change-makers.
High value-added companies are needed for Finland's economic growth.
Companies founded by Aalto alumni already employ over 30.000 people. Our Otaniemi campus is home to 170 companies, and we offer 53.000 m² of space for businesses to use. Since Aalto University – established as innovation university – began its operations in 2010, we have negotiated over 350 technology transfers.
An entrepreneurial mindset is a fundamental part of all our educational offerings. Entrepreneurship courses are available across all fields of study, and student-driven business activities are strongly supported through access to facilities and funding. Courses cover skills such as product management, business and financial planning, and market entry.
The university's entrepreneurship ecosystem is powered by both student-led activities and the university's own research and innovation centers.
A creative and entrepreneurial approach
An idea alone is not enough. Commercialising research results and new solutions requires expertise and an enthusiastic attitude. That is why at Aalto we support the entrepreneurship of students and researchers with various courses, training sessions, events and physical spaces.
Some of us enjoy being out of our comfort zones and excel in such situations. Others find the very thought distressing. Regardless of which group you personally belong to, as a society we need our decision-makers to thrive in such situations, to understand diversity and tolerate uncertainty. In the future, more than ever, we continue to need open-minded thinkers and brave doers who dare to jump into the unknown, and take on even the crazy ideas.
Being outside of one's comfort-zone is not the most productive place to be for everyone. Yet, society needs decision-makers and leaders who can, not just withstand but prosper, in uncertainty and complexity.
Textbooks teach the basics, but in challenging situations creativity, application, and cross-sector collaboration are needed. Creative thinking and action models help move forward even in deadlocks: because there is no singular resolution, there are always many directions to proceed. Often even the researchers themselves cannot imagine all the innovations to which their work will eventually lead.
ÄûÃʵ¼º½ for the wellbeing of our shared future
Aalto University's public core funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture has decreased in real terms by more than one-third compared to 2010, when the university began its operations. Currently, the basic-funding accounts approximately 50 % of the university's annual expenses.
As a society, we cannot afford to cut back on education and research.
To ensure groundbreaking research and bold, persistent innovators in the future, we must invest in both long-term fundamental research and targeted innovation efforts.
ÄûÃʵ¼º½ and you’ll invest in a future you can be proud of.
By donating specifically towards the advancement of entrepreneurship and innovations, you'll accelerate our students' entrepreneurial spirit and promote groundbreaking research, such as the development of fog- and dirt-repellent surfaces, personalised cancer medication and 100 % bio-based, plastic-replacing bubble and foam packaging materials.
Entrepreneurship and Innovations
Entrepreneurship and Innovations
Support prosperity of the society by donating towards entrepreneurial thinking and commercialisation of ideas.
