Aalto Innovation offers a wide range of services from commercialising research ideas to a comprehensive business accelerator programme.
Aalto University provides support for researchers throughout the entire process up to the creation of a company and beyond. The aim is to guide and commit researchers to take the research result all the way to practical implementation.
Invention disclosure
The first stage of the process is the invention disclosure, in which innovation experts examine the novelty of the discovery. After that, a typically multi-stage patenting process begins and often the patent is also protected in several different countries depending on the commercialisation path of the invention. A strong patent is a clear signal to both the company and the university of the reality of the problem to be solved with the research idea and thus of the viability of the business.
Patenting
Patenting is an essential part of the process in which research ideas become more broadly exploitable by society. During the patenting process, efforts are made together with the researchers to strengthen and sharpen the commercial exploitation path of the invention. This is often done in the Business Finland Research to Business programme, supported by innovation services. In this pre-commercialisation project, the technology is further strengthened, additional patents are often filed and the best commercialisation path for the invention is sought.
Technology transfer
When the concept is ready to be transferred further for use either by a startup company or an existing company, a technology transfer is carried out. Researchers can be involved in the startup company that is formed, which can apply to Aalto Startup Development’s accelerator programme. The programme strengthens the company’s commercial potential and creates valuable networks and contacts with funders.
Juho Uzkurt Kaljunen founded NPHarvest Oy based on his doctoral thesis with the aim of improving the nutrient cycle by recovering minerals from wastewater. The company’s first round of funding was a success.
The innovation diary is a cumulative story following a multidisciplinary innovation team that received funding from Business Finland for 18 months in January 2023. You are welcome to follow the story of team WUUD, a joint project with the school of Arts and school of chemical engineering. The end product is an evironmentally friendly and durable wooden design cladding. The diary is by written by team lead Hemmo Honkonen.
