Demo Day 2026
Aalto Startup Center Demo Day on March 4th 2026
Aalto Startup Center Demo Day is the perfect opportunity to see the innovation that comes out of Aalto University. During the day, startups and research to business cases from Aalto Startup Center and A Grid portfolio set up to present their case for participants to examine and explore.
In 2025 we had over 90 different booths and over 700 attendees exploring the cutting edge of innovation in Finland. And we aim to top that this year on March 4th.
This year we have expanded the program.
The main body of the event takes place on the afternoon of 4th of March when the startups and research to business projects set up their booths for the eager to wonder all along the lobby areas of A Grid (Otakaari 5) as well as the first two floors of Aalto Startup Center office spaces.
However, we're also organizing a pitch competition in the morning of the day in collaboration with FiBAN. It's the perfect opportunity for the startups and R2Bs who take part in showcasing their projects during afternoon to get a pitch in in front of an audience of investors and interested stakeholders before presenting in more detail on the booth.
For investors:
We are organizing a dedicated investor experience in collaboration with Business Espoo this time around. Feel free to use the registration link below and we'll contact you when the registration for the investro program opens!
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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- From Espoo:
- Depending on your location in Espoo, navigate towards Ring Road I (Kehä I) and exit at Tapiola/Otaniemi.
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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.
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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
Media: Päivi Meros
Marketing: Marc Gavaldà
In case of inquiries, contact:
