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Aalto Startup Center makes global top three in 2021-2022 university business accelerator ranking

UBI Global World Benchmark Study ranks top business incubators and accelerators
SLUSH 2019
Aalto's stand at Slush 2021 (Photo: Mikko Raskinen / Aalto University)

According to 2021-22 rankings just published by UBI Global, Aalto Startup Center is one of the top university business accelerators in the world. Alongside peer programmes from Belgium and Mexico, Aalto Startup Center’s position in the top three demonstrates its exceptional value for client startups and the local ecosystem, as well as its overall attractiveness.

‘UBI’s recognition demonstrates that we are a valuable player in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Finland and globally. Aalto Startup Center has been running for 25 years and has been part of the journey of numerous successful startups. We also created a unique service platform that supports researchers from breakthrough ideas to early-stage startups,’ says Janne Laine, VP Innovation, Aalto University.

The UBI study provides key metrics on the performance and impact of business incubators and accelerators. Rather than ranking in numerical order, the study names the top three university business accelerators. For 2021-2022, Aalto sits in the world top three with imec, which works with a group of Belgian universities, and with Red de Incubadoras de la Universidad del Valle de México from UVM University and College in Mexico.

‘Following a rigorous data-driven approach, we assessed and benchmarked incubation organizations across the world,’ says Joshuah Sowah, Head of Research at UBI Global. ‘Our study is in tune with the multiple facets of the international incubation ecosystem and illustrates critical challenges and opportunities the participating organizations face.’

About Aalto Startup Center 

Aalto Startup Center is a business accelerator for start-up companies that are less than three years old, with a particular focus on the technological field. The accelerator utilises the interdisciplinary competence offered by Aalto University in design, business and technology, as well as the expertise and networks of the university. The participants include companies from both within Aalto and outside of it, and the accelerator also creates business activities from research-based projects. Aalto Startup Center’s premises are located in Otaniemi, Espoo.

About UBI Global

UBI Global is a Swedish-based innovation intelligence company and community specializing in mapping, highlighting and connecting the world of business incubation. Through a community of more than 1,000 member organizations from over 90 countries worldwide, UBI Global provides matchmaking, ranking, benchmarking and research services to corporations and business incubation organizations.

Marika Paakkala

Päällikkö, Start Up Center
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