What did we gain at NORDEEP? Aalto researchers share takeaways from the deep-tech business summit

Aalto University partnered with the NORDEEP 2026 Business summit and handed out tickets for students, researchers, inventors, and other Aaltonians interested in the innovation path. The idea was to offer a low-threshold way to learn more about the innovation and startup world. The event gathered altogether over 1700 participants, of which about 230 were Aaltonians. Based on their comments, the time at this deep-tech conference was well spent. 

A low-threshold step into innovation

Auguste Bieleviciute, doctoral researcher and co-founder of Kasper Defence, would recommend participation in NORDEEP to any researcher or student who has even a small interest in innovation or entrepreneurship. 

‘You do not yet need to have a startup idea, concrete plans to found a company, or even an invention disclosure. Simply starting to connect with the innovation community is a valuable first step. Being in these environments gives you practical experience in how to network, especially outside your research group. You might meet a new friend, a future co-founder, an investor, or simply someone who gives you a completely different perspective on your work,’ Bieleviciute says. 

‘It is also useful just to hear what people in the field are discussing, what problems companies are trying to solve, and where different technology areas are heading. Those conversations can plant seeds that later develop into a concrete idea or application for your own research. It is also particularly useful for researchers writing papers, reports, or grant applications, as being aware of current real-world challenges helps you better position your research and demonstrate its relevance.’ 

One of Auguste Bieleviciute’s biggest takeaways from the conference was how tightly connected the Finnish technology and startup ecosystem is. 

‘Once you start making a few connections, it becomes surprisingly easy to be introduced to more people who can give advice and open doors. Another important lesson for me was how useful it is to step outside the research environment and practice explaining your work in simple terms. When you talk to people who are not specialists in your field, you are forced to think more clearly about what problem your research solves and where the technology could have a real-world application. It allows you to zoom out and look at the bigger picture.’ 

Bieleviciute says students and researchers shouldn’t feel intimidated by events like NORDEEP, even if they lack a business background.

‘Feeling intimidated can stop people from attending these events in the first place, even though this is exactly where everyone can start learning more,’ Bieleviciute says. 

Pitching practice and peer learning

Polina Ovsiannikova and Kirill Zhukovskii are a post-doc and a doctoral student at Aalto, as well as members of a Research-to-Business (R2B) project called DEUS. Their project provides controllers for greenhouses, which reduce energy costs, and they joined the event because they wanted to learn how to talk to investors. Their business advisor had also advised them that events like this are a great opportunity to chat with other R2B teams and train pitching with them. 

‘Many of the pitches we have seen on the stage have been excellent, and you can secretly improve your own pitch just by listening to others and by noticing what you like and what you don’t like in their pitches’, Ovsiannikova says. 

Both Ovsiannikova and Zhukovskii also appreciated the matchmaking tool provided by the conference organisers, which helps scout the people one wants to talk to in the crowd. Moreover, the possibility to connect with other R2B teams who often share the same struggles, has been valuable. 

‘Everyone in an early phase of the innovation path is on the same boat and different teams support and help each other. Sharing experiences is valuable, and this is a great event for that’, Ovsiannikova says.

Early investor discussions

Denis Le Bras, Business Developer at the R2B project Atomel, shared similar thoughts. He attended NORDEEP with the aim to initiate early discussions with investors investing especially in semiconductors. 

‘Attending NORDEEP is a great opportunity for those who are considering the commercialization of their research findings and are interested in the startup world. Here, researchers can see that that many inventions are not ready products yet and it may help them overcome the feeling that their own idea is not good enough, Le Bras says. 

‘However, this particular event is good for teams and startups within deep tech, for example, dual use, quantum technology, or health technology, but it is not really aimed at all startups.’