Aalto ranks third in Europe for university spinout funding – this is the recipe for creating new industries

Eight research-based spinout companies have already been launched this year from Aalto University, a marked increase from the early 2020s when the yearly number ranged between zero and five. A spinout is a company to which the university transfers the scientific inventions and patents coming out from research.

Aalto University ranked third among European universities — following the universities of Oxford and Cambridge — in terms of funding raised by spinouts in the first half of 2026. Aalto’s spinouts raised over EUR 500 million, with Oxford topping the list by a wide margin at over EUR 900 million; Cambridge was only slightly ahead of Aalto. Although the majority of Aalto spinouts’ funding pot comes from satellite company ICEYE, a top three ranking is by no means a coincidence, says Aalto University Vice President for Innovation, Janne Laine.

‘Our top three standing is the result of world-class research and expertise, a vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem, and long-term efforts to promote entrepreneurship and innovation at many different levels. Our achievements are the result of collaboration; alongside Aalto, innovations and companies are pushed forward by researchers, students, start-up entrepreneurs and venture capitalists,’ Laine says.

In total, Aalto’s spinouts, including IQM in the quantum sector and ICEYE, have raised approximately EUR 2.6 billion in funding since 2010.

‘Thanks to an active community of researchers and students, Aalto has become a place that generates much-needed growth for Finnish society. When research-based inventions created here are commercialised, they can not only renew existing industries but also create entirely new ones,’ says Laine.

By bringing together Aalto University’s innovation activities under the name Aalto Innovation, the path from research to business has now been strengthened. Aalto Innovation aims to further accelerate the commercialisation and impact of deep tech inventions.

‘Our goal is to double the number of invention disclosures and patents between 2025 and 2030 and to increase the annual number of research-based spinout companies to 20,’ Laine says.

Aalto Innovation covers the entire research-driven commercialisation chain

Researchers interested in entrepreneurship receive expert support at Aalto University to ensure the best possible starting point for spinout companies.

The new Aalto Innovation unit covers the entire research-driven commercialisation chain: entrepreneurship training for researchers, patenting and commercialisation preparation for inventions, incubator and accelerator programmes, and preparation for technology transfers to spinout companies. At the same time, the university will discontinue the use of the Aalto Startup Center name, which focused on incubator and accelerator programmes for start-up companies.

‘Aalto University is known for its strong entrepreneurial culture: broad-based entrepreneurship education and student entrepreneurship that has gained international attention. We are now increasing our efforts to identify and commercialise deep tech inventions born from research. Our goal is to create more research-based companies that generate significant added value and have clear growth potential,’ says Laine.

If a researcher and Aalto Innovation’s experts see potential in an invention, Aalto Innovation takes care of protecting the invention and provides advisory support through various programmes for business planning and launching. It also supports research-driven teams in commercialisation preparation and technology transfers, and offers incubation and acceleration support both to teams emerging from Aalto as well as other early-stage Finnish deep tech start-ups selected to its programmes.

‘Even now, we have several promising teams and start-ups in the making in quantum and space technologies and other growth areas such as health technology. In deep tech, the journey from invention to commercial operations takes years, and it requires systematic investment,’ Laine says.

Aalto Innovation Week to be held in November

At the growth company event Slush on 18-19 November, Aalto University will showcase its exhibition booth the product ideas and concept models of twelve Research-to-Business (R2B) pre-commercialisation teams. The line-up includes projects related to energy and health technology, among others.

‘At Slush, we will present our world-class research and teams whose product ideas are based on research. We will meet partners and investors and strengthen Aalto’s role in the Nordic and European start-up ecosystem,’ says Laine.

During the same week, Aalto University’s researchers, students and staff, invited guests, and international and domestic visitors interested in Aalto’s entrepreneurship and innovation activities can take part in numerous events at Aalto Innovation Week on campus in Otaniemi.

‘Ideas and people meet on the Otaniemi campus, and founding companies has become part of the university’s culture. In this environment, research, creativity, entrepreneurship and capital form a mutually supportive network. Thanks go to students, researchers, alumni, mentors, companies and funders. Everyone’s contribution has been needed for success, says Laine.

More information:

Janne Laine, Vice President for Innovation
vp-innovation@aalto.fi 
+358 50 465 6835