Aalto University to host the INNOVA Europe Summit 2026 in Espoo

Founded in 2022, INNOVA Europe has grown into a recognised European collaboration within higher education, connecting universities, students, and entrepreneurial ecosystems around shared societal challenges. The INNOVA Europe Summit serves as the coalition’s annual in-person gathering, combining learning, exchange, and the presentation of early-stage entrepreneurial ideas in a European setting.

A strong European university network

The INNOVA Europe network brings together eleven partner institutions: Aalto University, ESMT Berlin, POLIMI Graduate School of Management, EDHEC Business School, ETH Zurich, IE Business School, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, KSE Graduate Business School, Rotterdam School of Management – Erasmus University, London Business School, University of Vienna.

Following three previous editions hosted in Milan, Paris, and Berlin, the 2026 Summit comes to Espoo and Finland, placing Aalto University at the heart of a collaborative European effort to support high-potential entrepreneurial ideas addressing pressing social, environmental, and economic challenges.

From national selection to a European gathering

Participation in INNOVA Europe begins within each partner institution, where student and alumni led teams are selected through national initiatives to represent their university at the European level. These selections highlight the strength and diversity of university entrepreneurship ecosystems across Europe, while ensuring that the ideas presented at the annual INNOVA Europe Summit reflect both academic rigour and real-world relevance.

At Aalto University, the national selection for INNOVA Europe 2026 will take place through PORT_, the university’s flagship student innovation challenge. The selected team will go on to represent Aalto University at the INNOVA Europe Summit 2026 in Espoo, alongside teams from across the partner network.

Spotlight on early-stage innovation and impact

The 2026 edition places a strong emphasis on idea-stage projects, showcasing emerging innovators developing early concepts with the potential for meaningful impact. Projects presented at the Summit will align with three priority SDGs: Climate Action (SDG 13), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10).

As part of the Summit programme, selected teams will present their ideas to an international audience of academics, industry experts, and entrepreneurship practitioners, while also taking part in networking and peer-learning activities that support knowledge exchange and collaboration across the European university ecosystem.

By hosting the INNOVA Europe Summit 2026, Aalto University continues to strengthen its engagement in European collaboration, entrepreneurship education, and impact-driven innovation. The Summit reflects the university’s broader commitment to interdisciplinary approaches and solutions addressing global challenges.

Further information

Further information about INNOVA Europe, including its mission, history, and partner network, is available on the INNOVA Europe website. Additional programme details, jury announcements, and team profiles will be published closer to the event.