Corporate collaboration

Strategic partnership is a long-term commitment

We create impact together with our corporate partners. By combining the latest knowledge with leading industrial expertise, we develop sustainable solutions and educate future talents for business.

Aalto Vision Forum in 2019. Photo by Lasse Lecklin

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.

Students presenting their project work in electronics

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.

Corporate collaboration

In collaboration, Aalto University and Neste strive to find solutions to major global challenges by combining high-level research with leading industrial expertise.

Corporate collaboration

Students working together in front of Nokia flags, photo by Abigail Garbett

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.

Corporate collaboration

Three people sit on orange chairs on stage with a large screen behind them displaying text about Aalto and Saab news.

Saab's long-term commitment to cooperation provides good conditions for scientific breakthroughs and the creation of new innovations.

Corporate collaboration

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.

FinnFusion is a collaboration aiming to make fusion energy a reality. Photo: VTT.

Aalto University and VTT are key engines of Finnish research and innovation; together, their expertise unlocks strong synergies

Corporate collaboration

Strategic partnerships play a key role in the development of Aalto University. Well-planned regional cooperation bolsters the university's impact. In the Helsinki region, cooperation with cities forms a strong and influential entity.

Collaboration

Creating impact together

In 2024, Aalto was ranked 23rd in university-industry ranking globally (Leiden Ranking University Collaboration). 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 three to five doctoral degrees and 20-30 master's theses with ABB each year. Over the years, numerous patents have also been secured in collaboration projects.

By working with Aalto, we have achieved excellent research results that benefit both parties

Micael Johansson, President and CEO, Saab

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A man peeks through components as if using binoculars.

Cooperation Published: 17.9.2027

From research to resilient energy systems: Halide Energy accelerates battery development at Aalto Design Factory

Halide Energy, an Aalto University spinout developing copper flow batteries for long-duration storage, has accelerated from research to product through Aalto Design Factory's Partner Plaza. Access to rapid prototyping, expert staff and workshops lets the team produce custom components in days, solve last-minute challenges and keep development moving.