Deep tech startups shine at the Nordics’ largest technology summit: Spotlight on four innovations

Aalto University’s prestigious Dipoli building is buzzing as the Nordic Deep Tech Business Summit (NORDEEP) gathers research-based startups, investors, and other stakeholders to unleash the North’s deep tech potential.

In his opening words, Tomi Erho, Aalto University’s Head of Innovation Ecosystem Services, highlights deep technology’s power to renew society through research-based innovation. With Aalto Startup Center as a main partner, NORDEEP offers a platform to strengthen the Nordic deep tech community. 

“NORDEEP is a great place to match entrepreneurs with stakeholders while giving Aalto’s researchers a chance to learn from the ecosystem,” Erho says. 

Now, let’s meet some of the newest additions to the field of Nordic deep tech. 

Taru Tech has a humble goal: to transform a core process in game development. 

Traditionally, playtesting or gathering feedback from real players and developing game design based on that data can take weeks. The startup, however, uses AI agents to simulate human player behaviour, cutting the cycle down to hours, providing better data, and improving player retention. 

“We’re working with a small number of pilot customers to test out our new technology. Our pre-seed round should close this year, and we’ve seen good traction from venture capitalists and angel investors,” says Taru Tech’s CCO Alfonso Ortiz. 

At NORDEEP, Ortiz and CTO Arsham Soltani join a panel discussion on cross-startup collaboration and bringing new technology to market. Building a network is a great benefit of Aalto Startup Center, too. 

“Being part of this community of like-minded people is invaluable. Everyone’s open to sharing experiences, and we’ve had access to a great team of advisors and events that connect us with investors and potential clients,” Soltani says. 

Pivoting with Lensor

At first, the vision behind Helsinki-based startup Lensor was to improve data quality in land management for farming. After an organic pivot, Lensor now focuses on helping cities improve urban biodiversity with AI-powered tools combining satellite, lidar, and ground data. 

“The growing demand for biodiversity data is driven by regulation and the green transition. We’ve already collaborated with the City of Helsinki and EIT, and it’s clear there’s a huge need for better data to support reporting and compliance,” says co-founder Lisa Theman.

The pivot to urban infrastructure management has helped the startup find its place in the broader tech ecosystem. After bootstrapping and several pilot projects, Lensor is now at the late pre-seed stage and getting investors on board. The Urban Tech Program at Aalto Startup Center has helped significantly.  

“This pivot wouldn’t have happened as smoothly without the program. They’ve made valuable introductions, opened doors to relevant events, and given expert advice, which is amazing.”

Bridging research and business with ProSQu 

A delicate prototype catches your eye at the stand of ProSQu, a research-to-business project from Aalto University. The startup-to-be develops a new wiring system for quantum computers, improving control over qubits (the building blocks of quantum information) which are highly sensitive to noise (in this case, quantum interference) and heat.

“Our technology paves the way for more scalable quantum computing while targeting reduced noise and heat inside a quantum computer cryostat, where processors operate,” explains Aashish Sah, business developer of ProSQu. 

“When fully operational, our solution should cost around 50% less compared to current technology and introduce 100 times less noise to the quantum computer,” adds technology developer and scientist Suman Kundu.

Now, ProSQu is planning to raise capital and meet with potential investors. NORDEEP is a perfect place to practice pitches and grow networks – with the support of Aalto Startup Center. 

“Aalto Startup Center has been an amazing bridge between technology and business. Training sessions, workshops, concrete tips for building investor decks… We’ve learned a lot very fast,” Sah says.

Detecting space debris with Aavuus

It’s the first time founders Joonas Jokela and Jouni Peltoniemi attend NORDEEP, but when it comes to deep tech, they’re far from first-timers. Based on decades of research, their startup, Aavuus, develops laser technology that detects and tracks space debris in unprecedented detail – and provides end users with a data-based situational picture. 

“The goal is to track space debris as small as a centimetre. Our competitors often use radar or telescopes, but our laser solution is the only way to reach that kind of precision,” Jokela says. 

Aalto Startup Center’s ESA BIC Finland incubation program has been invaluable in getting the research-based startup off the ground. Its support validates and lends credibility to the work.

“It’s a stamp of approval that partners and investors appreciate,” says Peltoniemi. Beyond funding, he values the range of relevant training programs.

“Expert guidance on intellectual property rights and patents helps us immensely when building our IPR strategy.” 

But now, the duo needs to get going: Jokela has a pitch to deliver. 

–

Further information: 

Päivi Meros, Marketing & Communications Specialist, Aalto Startup Center / paivi.meros@aalto.fi / +358 50 32 98 554 

Aalto Startup Center plays an important role in building and developing the Finnish startup ecosystem. The business accelerator provides a growth platform for start-ups that are less than three years old, especially in the technology sector. This includes companies originating in Aalto University and elsewhere, and the accelerator also generates new business from research projects. In spring 2023, Aalto Startup Center was selected as one of the top three university-based business incubators in the world.

• More about Aalto Startup Center: startupcenter.aalto.fi
• Join our community of startups! Apply to the Business Generator program HERE.