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We sell and license patented technology and the know-how to needed to deploy patented technologies.
Research collaboration and innovations
The possibilities for research collaboration extend from single research projects to long-term funding of research personnel and also include possibilities to utilise the university’s extensive research infrastructure. Often the collaboration starts from a single project but may develop into long-term strategic partnership.
Contract research
Corporate-funded research enables more flexible consideration of corporate-specific needs.
Preferably, the topic and goals of corporate-funded projects should be connected to ongoing research and support the development of strategic thematic areas at Aalto. Academic results, such as publications or theses are typically required. IPR typically belongs to the company.
Joint-funded research collaboration
Jointly funded research collaboration enables many possibilities for partners; different roles and levels for participation as well as networking and information sharing with other partners. Possibilities include:
- Projects funded mutually by Aalto and a company
- Projects fully or partially funded by Business Finland, the Finnish Academy, EU or other funding organisations
Projects may involve research institutes, other universities and corporations. Academic results, such as publications or theses are required. Ownership of IPR depends on the funding organizations.
Funding personnel for research and teaching
Companies can ensure progress of research also by funding positions for research personnel working in their interest fields.
- Professor of Practice (PoP) are distinguished professionals from business life, public sector, and arts, having often the task of promoting collaboration with external stakeholders.
- Adjunct Professors work part-time at Aalto and participate intensively especially in teaching.
- Postdocs: Experienced post-docs ensure long-term knowledge transfer and provide efficient guidance of MSc and doctoral students.
- Doctoral Students: Many research projects employ doctoral students as practical task force.
Doctoral programmes
Advancing entrepreneurship and innovations
Behind Aalto's entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem are both student-led entrepreneurial activities and the university's own research and innovation hubs.
Contact us at Aalto Corporate Relations
Corporate Relations
The corporate relations team promotes cooperation between business and Aalto University. We help companies find the right contacts in Aalto and support the development of strategic partnerships.
Other forms of collaboration
Research and learning infrastructures
Our research and teaching infrastructures are a prerequisite for world-class, cutting edge research. They offer opportunities for collaboration and foster the local innovation ecosystem growth. The large infrastructures are open for all Aalto and external users.
Design Factory
Design Factory develops creative ways of working, spatial solutions and enhanced interdisciplinary interaction to support world-class product design in educational, research and practical application contexts.
Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence (FCAI) (external link)
FCAI is a national competence center for AI in Finland, initiated by Aalto University, University of Helsinki, and VTT aiming to major industrial and societal impact.
FinnCERES
FinnCERES, competence center for materials bioeconomy, is a Flagship for our sustainable future.
Industrial Internet Campus
Aalto University Industrial Internet Campus (AIIC) is a platform for students, researchers, and companies to innovate and co-create smart, connected products and services. Industrial Internet Campus enables multidisciplinary research, education and innovation together with industrial partners.
Building 2030
The Building 2030 project envisions, researches and promotes a better future of construction.
New research centre will promote research and development of autonomous systems
The multidisciplinary Aalto Center for Autonomous Systems (ACAS) focuses on research and development of intelligent transport systems, factories and infrastructures.
Aalto Factory of the Future
The Aalto Factory of the Future is an infrastructure to support innovation in future industrial automation, industry 4.0 and beyond. It allows test and trials of advanced technologies, such as future wireless communication (5G / Wifi6 and beyond) in industry.
Aalto research collaboration in practice
Read more about the ways how we at Aalto collaborate with companies and communities in research.
A new type of hand prosthesis learns from the user — and the user learns from the prosthesis
New research enables more functional and robust robotic prostheses.
Bayer, Aalto and HUS expand collaboration – artificial intelligence to support clinical drug trials
The project is led by Bayer and seeks to build an innovation ecosystem of companies, universities and representatives of the health sector, making Finland a top country in clinical research.
Multidisciplinary research project based on origami seeks solutions for industrial needs
A joint project covering the fields of mathematics, engineering and arts is about to start at Aalto, where the aim is to study and develop folding technology for the needs of industry. In addition to Aalto, the project includes VTT as coordinator, and several companies from the forest industry to the machine design and cosmetics brands, such as Stora Enso, Metsä Group, Lumene, Mirka, Elomatic, Anpap, Orfer and Soften. Business Finland granted funding for the Co-Innovation project.
A major project brings together Finnish industry and research for quantum technology development
A new research project has been launched to accelerate the progress of Finnish quantum technology. The QuTI project, coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, will develop new components, manufacturing and testing solutions, and algorithms for the needs of quantum technology. The QuTI consortium, partly financed by Business Finland, consists of 12 partners and has a total budget of around EUR 10 million.
Nokia donates seed funding to Aalto University for launching an industrial PhD program on quantum technology
The first two PhD students will be hired to the program this year.
The human ear detects half a millisecond delay in sound
Researchers discover how accurately the human ear can detect time delay in sounds in different frequencies.
The seven key research areas of Aalto University
ICT and digitalisation
Digital technologies like AI and 5G cut through the whole society, from education to medicine and economics.
Materials and sustainable use of natural resources
Materials research ranges from physics, nanotechnology, mechanics, performance and design to biomaterials and sustainable resource use.
Arts and design knowledge-building
Art and creativity enable looking at the grand challenges of our time from a new perspective. Look past the imaginable and join us in changing the world in art and design knowledge building.
Global business dynamics
Research related to global economy dynamics is carried out in the areas of business, economics, and industrial engineering and management.
Advanced energy solutions
The main research focus in energy research are energy sciences, multidisciplinary energy technologies, and sustainable energy solutions.
Human-centred living environments
Research in this area aims to understand how individuals experience their physical environment and how art, spaces, buildings and communities can enhance it.
Health and wellbeing
Health and wellbeing focus areas include biomedical engineering, neuroscience, biomaterials, digital health, and health management and design.
Research & Art