From ideas to impact: ‘I found a real problem, so I just jumped in’

Where did the idea for VeinOptima come from?

‘I found a real problem, so I just jumped in,’ says Zahra Deljoomanesh. She became familiar with cancer wards after her father’s illness. During that time, she noticed how difficult it could be to take blood samples, particularly from infants in intensive care.

She began thinking about whether technology could make the process easier. The idea was to develop smart glasses that could look beneath the skin, identify veins and map them for the person taking the sample.

Deljoomanesh, who studies International Design Business Management at Aalto, started developing the idea together with her husband, Amid Maghsod, who has an engineering background.

What did the grant make possible?

The idea needed to be tested in practice. The team developed prototypes, gradually learning what worked and what did not. For the third prototype, they needed components they could not afford to buy themselves. ‘It was just an idea in our minds, and we didn’t know if it would work or not. We needed to validate it, but we couldn’t afford to.’

The team applied and received a grant and used the funding specifically to buy components for the third prototype. That made it possible to move from an idea to a working device – and to test whether their new approach could actually do what they hoped. ‘It was a small amount of money to start with, but it made a big difference to our team.’

The funding has also helped when talking to potential investors. ‘Even when we are looking for investors, we can tell them that somebody trusted us. It’s Aalto University and this grant. They think the product is worth building. So why shouldn’t you invest in us?’

What happens next?

The team’s next steps are to continue developing the technology, build the company around it and secure the funding needed to take the product forward. For Deljoomanesh, the project is also an example of how an idea can develop through trying, testing and asking for help. ‘There are experts at Aalto I can reach out to and ask questions. They are always open to help. You just need to ask.’

Student innovation grants: turning ideas into impact

Aalto’s student innovation grants provide teams with fast, flexible funding of €500–€5,000 to build a prototype, test an idea or explore whether a product could work in practice. For an early-stage team, a small grant can make the difference between a promising idea staying on paper and getting the chance to develop.

VeinOptima used its grant to build its first working prototype. The funding gave the team a chance to test their idea, learn what worked and keep developing it.

By donating to entrepreneurship and innovation, you can support students at a stage when even a small contribution can make a real difference. You also help create an environment where good ideas have the chance to grow into tomorrow’s solutions.

Donate today – even a small gift can fuel great ideas