Aalto Inventors
Transforming research into innovation for a better future
Aalto Inventors is a field-specific innovation training program exclusively designed for researchers to discover the potential of their work and to turn scientific breakthroughs into real-world impact. The program is designed as a first experience in innovation.
Your research deservers more than a paper. It deserves to change the world. Not because paper isn't important - it is. Because someone out there is waiting for your invention to change their reality.
Janne Laine, Vice President of InnovationBased on Aalto University’s strategy, our aim is to generate sustainable innovative solutions to tackle global grand challenges. We are combining world-class fundamental research with efforts to transform the results into practical applications and economic value. The newly launched Aalto Inventors program is an excellent tool to execute our strategy.
Your first step in the innovation journey
Aalto University is home to a world-class innovation pipeline from foundational research to startup acceleration. Inventors supports researchers who are not yet part of that pipeline by offering a structured, supportive path toward applied impact.
Meet industry and academic thought leaders in your field, and gain widely applicable skills in intellectual property, idea validation, impactful communication, funding opportunities, and business thinking.
Whether you're exploring a new research direction or identifying a real-world application for your existing work, Inventors helps you take the first steps.
Who is it for?
Aalto Inventors is for researchers — especially doctoral students and postdocs, but open to all faculty — who are curious about the societal and commercial opportunities of their work. No previous experience in innovation or business is required to participate. If you’re asking “Could my research make a bigger impact?” this program is for you.
Why join?
- Enhance your skills for your future career: Learn how to build impact, secure funding, and protect your ideas
- Expert guidance: Receive mentorship from thought-leaders in academia and industry, as well as law professionals, to navigate the innovation ecosystem
- Expand your network: Connect with fellow researchers, industry experts, and entrepreneurs from your field and beyond
- Official recognition: Receive a certificate upon program completion + possibility of earning 2 ECTS credits
- Highly rated: The Inventors program has been running for a full year now with excellent feedback
- Ongoing support: Join the Inventors alumni network for continued support and collaboration opportunities
Program overview
Each Inventors program is tailored to the specific research field to offer you the best possible support and networks. Below is an example of a general program structure.
The program workload is equivalent to 2 ECTS upon completion.
Kick-Off
Understand why innovation matters, learn key terminology, and explore different routes researchers can take toward commercialization, collaboration, or societal impact. Gain an overview of the program and the support available at Aalto.
How business works
Learn how to identify unmet needs, create early-stage concept ideas and explore their business potential. Learn how to conduct efficient industry interviews that help you validate your idea.
IPR & Invention disclosure
Get hands-on with the fundamentals of intellectual property rights including patents. Hear how they are utilised in research commercialization. Learn how to draft a compelling invention disclosure with guidance from mentors across academia and law.
Innovation ecosystem & Industry insights
Learn how deep-tech turns into scalable solutions. Engage with industry partners in an informal networking session. Explore real industry challenges, validate problems, and spark early collaborations in your field.
Networking masterclass & Startup insights
Learn how to network effectively in business context. Hear from research and startup entrepreneurs about how they found the right fit between their research and the demand.
Funding pathways
Learn how deep-tech ventures get funded and how venture capital works. Hear real case stories on how research spinouts have moved to market and how they got funding.
Impact storytelling
Learn how to communicate complex research effectively to non-scientific audiences, funders and industry. Practice public speaking in team coaching sessions.
Final Innovation Showcase & Graduation
Present your innovation to multiple stakeholders. Get feedback, explore next steps, and celebrate your progress. Wrap up with cake and join the Inventors alumni network.
Feedback shared by participants from 2025-2026 cohorts:
"I learned that the journey is a possible one and just needs to be followed step by step."
"I enjoyed meeting new people, especially company representatives who share the same interests and passion as I do. Hearing their stories was truly inspiring."
"I learned the basics of shifting my thinking towards commercialization opportunities instead of focusing solely on research potential."
"The organizing team were very helpful and motivated, which made the whole experience more fun!"
"The insights I got are going to be helpful and motivate me also in my research work, because I can now see better the real-world motivation behind it."
Read more
Find the latest news and stories from Aalto Inventors programs.
Aalto Inventors turns one: A year of bridging research and real-world impact
Aalto Inventors marks its first anniversary, having engaged 190 researchers across six cohorts in fields including AI, quantum, and biomaterials. New cohorts are planned for the next academic year, stay tuned and join the waitlist.
Aalto Inventors innovation training coming for hydrogen, quantum and microelectronics researchers this spring
Connect with industry and academic thought-leaders and gain widely applicable skills in communication, intellectual property, and business.
Aalto Inventors innovation training program coming for AI and bioeconomy researchers this fall
Connect with industry and academic thought-leaders and gain widely applicable skills in communication, intellectual property, and business.
Turning Research into Impact: Insights from the Inventors Program Panel
Aalto University’s Inventors Program recently hosted a panel discussion bringing together experts from research, entrepreneurship, and industry to share their perspectives on turning scientific ideas into successful ventures.Get in touch
