Demo Day 2025

Looking for co-founders?

​Cooperating with Aalto Startup Center and A Grid, Kiuas invites you to join matchmaking and networking event on Thursday, March 6th, at 15:00 EET as a part of Demo Day 2025, where the main goal is connecting future co-founders. Whether you already have a startup idea or not, this side event is for you. It's a great opportunity for anyone interested in the startup world to find their teammate!

​Where: Jedi Training School at A-Grid, Otakaari 5, Espoo

​Event overview:

​14:30- Doors Open

​15:00-16:15 Facilitated Co-founder speed dating

Please note: A separate registration is required to participate in the co-founder matchmaking.

REGISTER HERE

Check the list of startups and research projects with a booth HERE.

Or with the map earlier on the page.

As the event takes place after lunch, as per tradition, coffee and complimentary snacks will be available to keep you going!

More information on their location can be found on the maps.

We’re excited to invite you to a Speed Pitching Competition at Demo Day on March 6th, organized by Nordic Science Investments in collaboration with ArcticStartup Events.  2 minutes + One slide – This is an excellent opportunity to present your startup to a jury of investors, gain visibility, and, most importantly, refine your pitching skills!  

The competition will take place at 16:00 as the ‘grand finale’ of Demo Day. Each selected participant (one representative per company) will have two minutes to pitch with one slide, followed by a brief Q&A session with the investor panel which will also choose the winner of 3 tickets to Arctic15!

We’re looking for startups that have already formed a company or are in the process of being spun out and are planning to fundraise within the next six months. Selection will be based on the following criteria:  

·       Priority for Fundraising – Startups actively raising funding and ready to engage with investors.  

·       Stage Alignment – At the right development stage (e.g., pre-seed, seed, or Series A) to benefit from investor interest.  

·       Market Potential – Scalable business in a growing market.  

·       Fit with Demo Day Focus – Aligned with the event’s overall program  

Why Participate?  

·       Present your company to a panel of investors and Demo Day participants  

·       Gain valuable pitching experience and feedback  

·       Simple application process – submit a one-slide pitch deck  

·       Compete for a chance to win 3 tickets to Arctic15  

📅 Apply by 16:00 on Wednesday, February 26th via this short form: https://forms.office.com/e/VsgqzWSad6   
📢 Selected startups will be notified by noon on February 28th.  

Looking forward to seeing you at the Demo Day!

Let people know you are attending Demo Day! To create your own digital personalized badge and post iton social media, use THIS LINK. Tag Aalto Startup Center and A Grid so we can see it!

To get to A Grid in Espoo, Finland, you have several options depending on your starting point and preferred mode of transportation. A Grid is located at Otakaari 5, 02150 Espoo, within the Aalto University campus area in Otaniemi.

By Public Transport

1. Metro:
   • Take the Helsinki Metro (Länsimetro) towards Tapiola or Matinkylä.
   • Get off at the "Aalto University" station.
   • Walk north along Otaniementie and turn left onto Otakaari. A Grid is located at Otakaari 5, which is a short walk from the station.
2. Bus:
   • Numerous buses run to the Otaniemi area. You can use the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL) website or app to find the best bus route.

By Car

1. From Helsinki:
   • Take Länsiväylä (Route 51) westbound.
   • Exit at the Tapiola exit and follow the signs to Otaniemi.
   • Continue on Otaniementie and turn left onto Otakaari.
2. From Espoo:
   • Depending on your location in Espoo, navigate towards Ring Road I (Kehä I) and exit at Tapiola/Otaniemi.

   • Follow the signs to Otaniemi and continue onto Otaniementie. Turn left onto Otakaari.

By Bicycle

Espoo and the greater Helsinki area have an extensive network of bike paths. You can use a bicycle route planner, such as Google Maps or the HSL Journey Planner, to find the best route.

On Foot

If you are nearby, walking is also an option. Use a map service to navigate to Otakaari 5.

Additional Tips

• HSL Journey Planner: The HSL Journey Planner (available as a website and an app) can provide detailed routes for public transportation, walking, and cycling. It’s highly recommended for real-time route planning.

• Parking: If you’re driving, check the parking availability at A Grid or nearby on the Aalto University campus.

Summary

• Metro: Take the metro to Aalto University station, then walk.
• Bus: Use HSL Journey Planner to find the best bus route.
• Car: Drive to Otakaari 5, Otaniemi, Espoo.
• Bicycle/Walk: Use maps for the best route.

Following these directions should get you to A Grid in Espoo without any issues.

• Permission to park on the Otaniemi campus in the parking areas marked "With Aalto University's permission" (Aalto-yliopiston luvalla).
• The new parking permit will be introduced around April, with a transition period from the old sticker permit to the new plastic parking permit. Both the old and the new permit will run from March to April.
• From 1.5.2024, only the new parking permit will be used. After this date, the old A! sticker will no longer be a valid parking permit.
• The new permission, will be circular and made of plastic, with sequential numbering.
• The permit is personal: a parking permit is issued to a person employed by Aalto, irrespective of the type or duration of the employment relationship.
• Permits can be picked up from 1 May 2024, only in four lobbies: Dipoli, Väre and Maarintie 8 and ACRE/Rakentajanaukio 4. You will need an Aalto University ID card or identity card for employment verification purposes.
• At the end of the employment relationship, the parking permit must be returned. It can be returned to any Aalto University lobby.

Parking Instruction for all others

Parking on campus is chargeable for all others. The same parking fee applies to the car parks and the multi-story card park. Otaparkki.

For up-to-date parking maps and prices, see the Easypark and ParkMan apps.

Electric cars can be charged at designated charging stations on campus according to a separate pricing list. The charging time is limited to a maximum of 3 hours. Charging stations are available in the following parking areas:

• Dipoli (Otakaari 24), those with an Aalto University staff parking permit are not charged a parking fee.
• Otaniementie 9, those with an Aalto University staff parking permit are not charged a parking fee.
• Maarintie 8, those with an Aalto University staff parking permit are not charged a parking fee.
• Biologinkuja (only for A Bloc customers), all those who park are charged both a parking and charging fee.
• A Grid (Otakaari 5), all those who park are charged both a parking and charging fee.
• Otaparkki (Sähkömiehentie 3), all those who park are charged both a parking and charging fee.

Charging points are marked in the map you can find on this page.

Charging prices are dynamic and are checked at regular intervals. Up-to-date prices can be found in the Plugit application and on ACRE's website.

More information: ACRE contact form

Visitors can access the Aalto open wireless network without authentication. This unencrypted network is freely available to everyone.

Key Details:
    •    Network Name: Aalto open
    •    Authentication: No login required
    •    Accessibility: Open to all visitors

Investors, event operations, planning, booths: markus.karva@aalto.fi

Media: paivi.meros@aalto.fi

Program: tai.tran@aalto.fi

Marketing: marc.gavalda@aalto.fi