Strategic partnership is a long-term commitment
A strategic corporate partnership is a mutual, long-term commitment and investment in cooperation between Aalto University and a company in creating solutions for a sustainable future.
Through cooperation, our strategic partners have an insight into the latest knowledge and research in their fields. They may be able to discover emerging, potentially disruptive technologies for strengthening an existing business or developing new business ideas. A partnership enables a continuous dialogue with Aalto’s researchers and students, the future talents of different industries.
Strategic partners play an important role in developing the quality of Aalto’s research and education. Partnerships provide us with valuable insights into the business sector, its expertise and needs for talent and innovation. Through cooperation with companies, we can better develop our operations to meet the future requirements of business.
Read about our strategic corporate partnerships
Strategic corporate partner ABB
Aalto University and ABB cooperate in many different areas, and all six Aalto schools are involved. The cooperation has continued for more than 130 years.
Strategic corporate partner Neste
In collaboration, Aalto University and Neste strive to find solutions to major global challenges by combining high-level research with leading industrial expertise.
Strategic corporate partner Nokia
Nokia has been an important partner for Aalto University and its predecessor universities for decades. There are currently close to 20 ongoing research collaboration projects.
Strategic corporate partner Saab
Saab's long-term commitment to cooperation provides good conditions for scientific breakthroughs and the creation of new innovations.
Cutting-edge expertise
Research projects with our strategic partners require cutting-edge expertise, taking advantage of Aalto’s multidisciplinary approach. The research collaboration can involve professors and postdoctoral researchers as well as doctoral and master's students from different fields at Aalto. Learn more about Aalto's key research areas here.
Each strategic partnership has a steering group that meets a few times annually. Also, the top management at Aalto and the company meet yearly to discuss the collaboration and its future development. Strategic partnerships are coordinated by Aalto’s key account managers from the corporate relations team.
Creating impact together
In 2020, Aalto was ranked 23rd in the World University Research Ranking (WURR), emphasizing collaboration. The ranking aims to recognise universities with impactful collaboration to tackle major global challenges emphasizing multidisciplinary and collaborative research. Read more about Aalto's rankings here.
Strategic cooperation provides unique conditions for scientific breakthroughs and innovation. Together with our partners, we join forces in multidisciplinary research projects for developing sustainable solutions for business.
Educational cooperation includes master's thesis projects and study project courses solving real-life business challenges. Business-funded doctoral and master’s theses have also proven to be an effective way of recruiting future talents to companies.
The partnership with ABB is a good example of a prosperous long-term collaboration that involves all six schools of the university. Our students complete about five doctoral degrees, four bachelor's degrees and 35–40 master's theses for ABB each year. Over the years, numerous patents have also been secured.
Micael Johansson, President and CEO, SaabBy working with Aalto, we have achieved excellent research results that benefit both parties
News about collaboration
FinnFiberColor – Spun cellulose fibres and sustainably colored textiles
The FinnFiberColor project develops sustainable solutions for manufactured cellulose fibre processes. The project has enhanced the understanding of the properties of new kinds of textile fibres and assessed the consumer perception of fabrics created from alternative materials.
How does hydrogen actually work as a fuel? Research project receives 1.7 million euros to study hydrogen combustion
The goal of the project financed by Business Finland is to speed up the development of emission-free marine technology, among other things.
I am passionate about collaboration between industry and academia
Concerns about the climate, the world’s oil resources, and the availability of strategic raw materials have turned interest towards renewable and carbon-neutral natural resources in the production of energy, fuels and chemicals. Most of the world's industrial chemicals are still petroleum products but biorefineries are the game changers of future.
Students explored how Deloitte could attract more female applicants to their M&A unit
Deloitte aims to develop gender balance
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