A record number of supporters for the endowed professorship in ownership

‘The professorship in ownership has been a unique project. The establishment of endowed professorships is usually supported by only a few foundations or companies, but this project had an exceptionally large number of different donors,’ says Timo Korkeamäki, Dean of School of Business.

‘Without significant donations from large foundations and companies, establishing the professorship would naturally not have been possible. It was also wonderful to see how individuals and various companies and associations were so excited to support the professorship.’ Korkeamäki is particularly pleased that the donors represent different forms of ownership from family companies to venture capital investors.

Samuli Knüpfer as Professor in Ownership

Samuli Knüpfer, D.Sc. (Econ.), who started as a Professor in Ownership in March 2022, moved to Aalto University from BI Norwegian Business School in Oslo, where he worked as a Professor of Finance. Before that, Knüpfer worked at the London Business School and as a visiting scholar at the University of California at Berkeley, and at the Aalto University School of Business. 

In addition to teaching, Knüpfer has led the doctoral programme in finance, supervised doctoral candidates and coordinated the work of several research groups. Among other things, he specialises in understanding household investment and saving decisions and their impact on economic activity. He has also studied the characteristics of CEOs and their impact on companies’ decision-making and success.

‘It’s wonderful to return to Finland to teach and do research within the framework of such a unique project. The endowed professorship shows that ownership is of interest to several parties in Finland. Ownership and the impact of its various forms on companies and the economy are close to my heart,’ says Knüpfer.

A joint achievement – many thanks to the large group of donors

‘The professorship in ownership is a significant investment in ownership expertise for future generations. I wish to thank everyone who supported the project and Aalto University for their excellent cooperation. The entire process and Knüpfer’s appointment prove that Aalto University is the best home for this professorship,’ says Tero Luoma, the originator of the professorship project and the author of a book on ownership. 

President of Aalto University Ilkka Niemelä warmly thanks Luoma and Lari Raitavuo who found supporters for the project, and each donor who made the professorship possible. ‘It’s an honour to establish Finland’s first professorship in ownership at Aalto. Without the donors and initiators of the project, the establishment of the professorship wouldn’t have been possible. Together we’ve achieved something new and unique,’ says Niemelä.

Text: Helena Salminen

Thank you:

• Aalto Tapani
• Aho Group
• Algol
• Ali-Vehmas Timo
• Aminoff Philip
• Antti Ahlström Perilliset
• Athensmed
• Bohm Mika
• Conficap
• Elinkeinoelämän Keskusliitto
• Englund Tomi
• Ensto Invest
• Erkki Paasikiven säätiö
• Ermitage Partners
• Etola Martti
• Finn Spring
• Fredman Capital
• Gerako
• Hartwall Capital
• Helkama Satu
• Helsingin Metalliteollisuuden piiriyhdistys
• Helvar Merca
• Heusala Minna
• Höijer Soila
• Isodin
• Jenny ja Antti Wihurin rahasto
• Joensuun Kauppa ja Kone
• Jussila Jaana
• Juuri Partners
• Katko
• Kaukoranta Eero
• Keskinäinen Vakuutusyhtiö Kaleva
• Kiianmies Aino-Mari
• Kitti Anton
• Kohonen Ari
• Kohonen Kaija
• Kokkolan Halpa-Halli
• Korkeamäki Timo
• Koskenmies Jari Pekka
• Kovanen Capital
• Kyösti Veijo
• Laine Paula
• Launiainen John
• Leinikka Harri
• Linnanvirta Reima
• Luoma Tero
• Maki.Vc
• Mandatum Henkivakuutusosakeyhtiö
• Nordic Business Group
• Novametor
• Oras Invest
• Otava
• Lival
• Paananen Jalo
• Parkkonen Olli
• Perheyritysten Liitto
• Planmeca
• Pontos
• Porkkala Miia
• Poutiainen Kustaa
• PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Raitavuo Lari
• Rajala Tommi
• Rajamäki Timo
• Räty Pekka
• Rauno ja Anne Puolimatkan säätiö
• Ruuskanen Mikko
• Saastamoisen säätiö
• Sadowski Maciej
• Salmela Antti
• Salminen Helena
• Security Trading
• Seedi
• Sinituote
• Sisu-säätiö
• Stanton Chase
• Suhonen Antti
• Suhonen Susanne
• Suomen Pörssisäätiö
• Taaleri
• Tahvanainen Sami
• Takanen Jorma J.
• Tamminen Kirsti
• Tampereen Tiivisteteollisuus
• Teknologiateollisuuden 100-vuotissäätiö
• Teollisuuden ja Työnantajain Keskusliiton (TT) -säätiö
• Thominvest
• Torppa Pasi
• Translink Corporate Finance
• TWP Group
• Väänänen Jesse
• Vähäsöyrinki Mari
• Varova
• Yksityisyrittäjäin Säätiö
• Zabludowicz Poju

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