Aalto Innovation

Innovation support for researchers

Has your research resulted in an invention or idea that could be useful outside the research context? Aalto Innovation supports you from the very first steps: identifying potential, invention disclosure, intellectual property rights, networks and funding.
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An invention often comes about unnoticed: an unexpected result, a new method or a solution to a problem you did not set out to study. At Aalto, we support you from the moment you notice something new, all the way until the invention begins to attract commercial interest.

The first step is the invention disclosure, through which we together assess protecting the invention and its next steps. At the same time, you can join our innovation programmes and explore different opportunities that help move the idea forward. When you are ready to think about markets, you can find more information about support for commercialisation on this page.

Disclose before publishing. Patenting requires that the invention has not been made public. An article, conference presentation, poster, thesis or social media post made before disclosure can close off the possibility of patenting. Always submit an invention disclosure before publishing.

Invention disclosure

Do you have a new invention or business idea?

Read more and disclose your invention
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Take your first step

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Aalto Inventors

The first step on your innovation journey: Field-specific innovation training designed for researchers to discover the impact potential of your work and build relevant networks.

Aalto Innovation
Veden alla sukeltava ihminen vihertävässä valossa ja punaisessa uima-asussa, kädet ojossa

Aalto Creatives -esihautomo-ohjelma

Aalto Creatives on esihautomo-ohjelma, joka tukee opiskelijoita, tutkijoita ja luovien alojen ammattilaisia, joilla on luovan alan startup-idea.

Aalto Innovation
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Doc+ community

Doc+ brings doctoral and postdoctoral researchers together to build transferable skills, connect across disciplines, and create impact in many directions — from advancing science and developing solutions for society to entrepreneurship and education. Come co-create your Aalto doctoral journey with us!

Doctoral education

Tools and useful information

Log in to see all pages.

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Publishing and commercialization – Can I have both?

Review these guidelines when considering the commercialization and publication of your research results.

Services
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Innovation funding

Explore the funding opportunities offered by Aalto University that support the development and commercialisation of research-driven innovations.

Aalto Innovation
Two researchers at the Aalto Bioproduct center demonstrating a research tool.

EIT for researchers

Get your ideas off the ground, bring great ideas to life and take your innovation to the market.

Aalto EIT Services

Towards commercialization

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Innovation Postdoc

A fully funded, 12 month career track to turn your doctoral discoveries into deep-tech startups.

Aalto Innovation
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Commercialisation

Aalto Innovation’s services help Aalto University researchers commercialise inventions, that is, develop profitable business from research results.

Aalto Innovation

Innovation events

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Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, IT & digital tools, Support for teams, Training to support research –

Research data management in chemistry, Nov 17, 2026

Learn about research data management (RDM) in chemistry.
Aalto University visitors in A Grid space Mordor
Campus –

Aalto University Innovation & Entrepreneurship Ecosystem walking tours on 17th of November

Join a guided walking tour on the 17th of November to discover Aalto University’s vibrant startup and innovation community and spaces. Visit A Grid, Aalto Innovation and Viima to explore the spaces and initiatives supporting startups, student entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary innovation.
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Campus, Other, Students –

Community drive 18.11.: Let's bike for student grants

Ready to ride? Join the A! Sign of Change community drive!
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Networking, Other –

Slush Watching Party

Come to Otaniemi and watch the live online broadcast from the main stage of the Slush startup event!

News from innovation ecosystem

Middle‑aged man relaxing on a large wooden bench in a sunny park with trees and brick buildings behind.
Cooperation Published:

Alum Kalle Grönqvist shook up property management with a startup mindset: ‘You don’t have to figure everything out on your own’

Kalle Grönqvist learnt to inspire people as a student. He later grew a company that shook up its industry. Now he helps new startups.
Line chart 2003–2021 shows leasehold flat prices falling from near zero to about 10% below freehold values.
Press releases, Research & Art Published:

Study: Helsinki's land rent increases showed up in housing prices – but only after about a decade

Researchers tracked Helsinki apartments in blocks of flats whose land lease contracts were renewed in 2021.
EY project team, summer 2026
Cooperation, Studies Published:

Students developed a dynamic ESG documentation structure for EY’s sustainability team in the Nordics

The framework by the School of Business students helps EY sustainability team streamline its ESG reporting processes as sustainability requirements evolve
Two men test a model aircraft in a field.
Cooperation, Research & Art, Studies Published:

From ideas to impact: ‘Better forecasts need a new kind of data’

Aalto’s student innovation grant gave the company’s founders resources to develop and test their concept.
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