Innovation Week
When
Where
Throughout the week, the Aalto startup ecosystem will showcase its work and foster connections with the broader Finnish startup community. The week of September 29th, we have a special series of events taking place at A Grid and its surroundings. From keynotes to a startup showcase, workshops, and everything in between. Expect the unexpected!
PROGRAM (Monday, September 29th):
A Grid's doors will open at 10:00, welcome to join this first day full of interesting activities with startup founders, enthusiasts and like-minded people.
📍 Mordor space (A Grid, Otakaari 5A, Espoo)
Leigh Ewin is an Australian-born, Finland-based health and lifestyle coach specializing in breathwork, cold exposure, and biohacking, known for his ice diving and work with figures like Wim Hof. He holds multiple certifications and is the author of "Rituals of Breathwork", a guide to breath-led states of consciousness. Ewin uses his expertise in ancient wisdom and modern science to help people improve health, enhance performance, and achieve a greater sense of well-being
📍 Mordor space (A Grid, Otakaari 5A, Espoo)
Innovation is everywhere: in headlines, strategies and startup pitches. But what does it really mean beyond the buzzword? How are fresh ideas created and how do they take shape in business, academia and culture? In this panel, Sarita Runeberg (CEO, Maria01), Dr. Riika Mäkikoskela (Aalto University), Ronny Eriksson (Founder ODDfest), and Antti Salminen (Business Finland) share their perspectives and explore new ways of thinking about innovation.
Dr. Riikka Mäkikoskela is an expert in creativity and the creative process. She worked as an artist, researcher and teacher before moving into leadership roles. In 2021-2024, Mäkikoskela worked as Head of Radical Creativity, leading the operations of the cross-cutting approach of Aalto University's strategy. At the moment, Mäkikoskela works as Project Manager and develops Radical Creativity further at Aalto University, which is a pioneering organization empowering radical creativity in all its activities. Mäkikoskela is a strategic and experienced leader of multidisciplinary networks, development and impact.
Sarita Runeberg is the CEO of Maria 01, the leading startup hub in the Nordics. She has a distinguished background in international business and extensive startup experience from companies such as Smartly.io. She fosters innovation and collaboration and has been featured in BBC and Financial Times as a thought leader. Sarita drives commerce and sustainability, positioning Maria 01 at the forefront of global startup innovation. She is also dedicated to increasing the share of women in the startup ecosystem.
Ronny Eriksson is an serial-entrepreneur, founder of ODDfest, radio host at Radio Helsinki, and Development Manager at Hanken Business Lab. He works at the intersection of creativity, culture, and business—helping people and ideas grow by building spaces where art, society, and entrepreneurship collide.
Antti Salminen is a Startup Manager in innovation and business development, currently working at Business Finland. With a MA in Design from the University of Art and Design Helsinki and additional qualifications in industrial design, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property, he specializes in supporting internationally scalable innovation, advising startups and creative industries. Previously the founder and CEO of Helsinki-based Leka Custom Metalworks, his career combines extensive experience in managing R&D programs, leading VR/AR and international accelerator initiatives, and mentoring early-stage companies.
Tai Tran has spent over five years shaping the startup ecosystem, driving Finnish and international entrepreneurship forward. From his roots in student-led initiatives to playing key role at the Aalto Founder School, he is on a mission to cultivate fearless, game-changing founders for Finland. Tai commits to push innovation and creativity in entrepreneurship every day, earning recognition in major media outlets and a spot as a 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 finalist in the Social Impact category.
📍 Mordor space (A Grid, Otakaari 5A, Espoo)
Dr. Elisabet Lahti is the founder of Sisu Lab and an award-winning educator and international presenter on topics related to the applied psychology of inner strength and life force. With a PhD from Aalto University (DIEM), experience as a startup entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, and having run and cycled 2,400 km across New Zealand to gather data for her research on sisu, she guides individuals to think deeply about what high performance looks like as a healthy expression of one's personal power—one that creates not only great products but also a life well lived. In her work, she combines art, science, storytelling, and embodiment to expand our understanding of resilience and creativity. You can find more about sisu and Elisabet at www.sisulab.com.
📍 A Grid's second floor (Otakaari 5A, Espoo)
Meet new people from across the ecosystem! Join our Speed Networking Café for quick 1-on-1 conversations with fellow innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs and students — and of course an afternoon coffee on us. No sign-up needed, just drop in and say hello.
The speed dating is organised in collaboration with Aalto Inventors, Aalto Startup Center and A Grid.
The following activities are taking place at the same time as the activities above, feel free to explore them at your own pace between 10:00 and 15:00!
📍 A Grid's lobby (Otakaari 5A, Espoo)
NOVA VRX is Finland’s first Walking VR Theater, pioneering a new form of entertainment: the multi-player interactive movie in virtual reality. Instead of just watching a film, audiences walk together inside large-scale location-based virtual worlds, interact with the story, and become part of the narrative.
Be the astronaut. Not just the audience.
Suit up for a first-person VR mission to the Moon — a cinematic, interactive adventure that puts you and your crew at the heart of a future lunar expedition.
Land on the Moon’s surface in full 360° VR as you step into a world of stark beauty and eerie silence. Traverse glowing lava tubes, explore alien caverns, and uncover the secrets of humanity’s lunar outpost.
Are you ready to take one giant leap?
The demo takes about 3 minutes.
📍 A Grid's first and second floor (Otakaari 5A, Espoo)
AaltoAI is Finland’s largest student-led AI community. We connect students, researchers, and companies through hackathons, keynotes, meetings, and hands-on projects—accelerating Finnish AI talent and innovation by bridging academia, industry, and talents together.
Aalto EIT Services team is here to support entrepreneurs, startups, and scale-ups in getting connected to Europe's largest innovation ecosystem: the EIT. Our team consists of Aalto experts who closely follow the opportunities offered by the nine different EIT Innovation Communities (KICs) and have extensive experience in navigating and operating within these complex ecosystems. Get in touch with us!
Aalto Founder School brings entrepreneurship closer to all students at Aalto through monthly Founder Talks, a new minor studies programme, and a tailor-made Founder Sprint for the most driven founders.
Aalto Space Association promotes interest, education, and cooperation in astronomy, space research, satellite development, and related technologies among students.
Aavuus is building a global network of ground-based laser stations to detect and track space debris. Our space debris data will provide accurate space situational awareness and collision avoidance intelligence to space operators, enabling safe and sustainable use of Earth's orbits.
AfriPay is a specialized fintech platform enabling African students to manage international education payments with unprecedented ease and affordability. We provide a secure multi-currency wallet—supporting USD, EUR, GBP, and other major currencies—that simplifies tuition transfers, remittances, and daily spending for scholars studying abroad.
Amertate's hybrid wind turbine delivers reliable, affordable green energy on-site for business and residential buildings. Amertate has a patented hybrid wind turbine providing reliable, affordable, green energy. Installable on rooftops or lands, it generates on-site electricity, reduces fossil fuel reliance, and ensures independence in crises. Designed for harsh northern climates, operates efficiently in low wind, reduces size of energy storage, is 100% recyclable, super quiet, and residential-safe.
Arbitrary Aesthetics is a pioneering design studio that unites artistic expressions with emerging technologies. Our multidisciplinary approach combines computational design, advanced 3D printing and circular material adaptation, to solve critical challenges such as mass customization and spatial engagement.
Art Sonique. We are a team of engineers and artists who have combined forces to add technical functionality to art. Our current product is a combination of a loudspeaker, wall art and acoustic panel.
Atom Toys believes in breaking down complex emotions and ideas into atoms - then building them back up as meaningful collectibles. We create designer art toys built around the idea of the void - a symbolic space we all carry inside us. Each toy holds Copium - a playful yet honest reflection of the ways we cope, connect, and find joy in everyday life.
Business Espoo provides advice on starting and developing a business, finding competent workers, international recruitment, internationalisation and growth. We strengthen expertise within companies through training and help companies and investors find the right contacts. Business Espoo also offers companies and entrepreneurs numerous networking opportunities through its training and other events.
Bubbles with Benefits develops next-generation, bio-based packing foams and bubble wraps to replace plastics. Made from cellulose, these materials are recyclable, biodegradable, and can be customised to suit any brand’s look. Their sealed air bubbles and bouncy foam structures deliver the same level of protection as conventional plastics, while also offering the advantage of environmental responsibility.
Cero Hero is a decentralized sustainability OS that unifies student's actions, university reporting, and incentives: Cero ID – a blockchain-backed climate passport for individuals and institutions; Cero Protocol – AI + IoT + blockchain intelligence to measure, verify, and trust climate-positive actions; Cero Credits – a decentralised reward system redeemable for sustainable services and products.
Codemenders Oy, creates tools that shape the future of customer service and help people save time in every customer service interaction. Our products Jonoon.fi & NoutoAteria already make daily life smoother by removing queues and simplifying customer flows. With this portfolio as a strong base, we are now building "One mall, one portal", a unified mall platform that is powered by AI, driven by data and focused on real time engagement between shops and visitors. Our goal is to make shopping malls smarter, more connected and better for both people and businesses.
Cornea Sense is a future spin-out from Aalto University, launching later this year. We are developing a medical diagnostic device that screens for diabetes quickly, painlessly, and without blood or needles. Our patented technology measures corneal hydration, opening a new diagnostic pathway through the eye.
Droplet Instruments provides the next-generation surface quality assurance equipment for advanced materials manufacturing. We help production line managers to save money by catching process issues early on and R&D departments to develop novel low-friction and anti-stiction coatings to tackle the upcoming EU/US ban on forever chemicals.
ESA BIC Finland is operating as part of Aalto University Startup Center. It works in collaboration with University of Vaasa, Business Tampere, and Business Turku, as well as the cities of Helsinki and Espoo. The aim is to support aspiring innovative entrepreneurs and young ambitious startups financially and technically to reveal their full space potential through the influencing channels and programmes of the European Space Agency.
ESA Phi-Lab Finland innovation programme started its operations at the beginning of 2025. The programme is operated in Finland by Aalto University in cooperation with the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute and the University of Vaasa, and is offering 4.4 M€ of space related funding and support of geospatial innovation projects between 2025 and 2030.
Groundhawk is an easy-to-use as-built mapping solution for high-quality, precise 3D as-built documentation of underground cables. The solution leverages AI to create a digital twin of the underground to avoid accidents and disruptions to the underground infrastructure.
iPrefab Finland is a Slush100-awarded startup building a digital marketplace that makes constructing a dream home as easy as booking a hotel. Our platform connects customers with trusted prefabricated house builders, offering customizable designs, transparent pricing, and full support with land, zoning, and permits. We are scaling across Finland, Germany, and Ukraine, helping builders expand internationally while enabling families to access sustainable and affordable housing solutions.
Irregalia designs asymmetrical sunglasses inspired by contrasts, surrealism, the queer experience and the natural asymmetry of the human face. Irregularity isn’t a flaw but a signature of nature. All pieces are handcrafted in Finland by designer Aarne Lehti using rescued deadstock A-grade Italian bio acetate. Every frame is limited, and no two are ever the same. Irregalia is art for your eyes.
Use Make a BIM's AI to automatically generate building information models from architectural drawings. The models are used in early renovation design, energy simulation and circular demolition quantification.
Mimiqit brings SaaS 2.0 to studios. Our legally protected system automates businesses beyond traditional management tools.
Mind's Eyetrack is a health tech startup providing accessible, automated eye tracking solutions for timely diagnostics and large-scale research.
NOCFO is building the future of accounting by replacing bookkeepers with AI. We automate bookkeeping, invoicing, and payroll so entrepreneurs can run their business without financial headaches — faster, smarter, and at a fraction of the cost.
Roam.Network is building the AI backbone for telecom — a smartphone-native DePIN that transforms billions of real-world mobile signal measurements into AI-ready training data and predictive models. With over 3.5 billion verified measurements across 187 countries and 120K+ organic users, Roam is revenue-positive and actively working with tier-1 operators and AI marketplaces. Our vision: a global, user-powered connectivity layer culminating in the last eSIM you’ll ever need.
Zero Gravity's UrbanAI platform provides data fusion capabilities based on Copernicus data that integrate Earth observation data to deliver actionable insights for renewable energy site selection, smart city management, and port monitoring. The company has successfully delivered projects for multiple clients, including various smart cities (Tallinn, Tampere, Kotka, Turku, Tartu, etc.), the port authority of Bilbao, and a renewable energy company, Helios Nordic, and has a letter of intent from the United Nations.
Zivvo is a full-service e-bike subscription that keeps couriers earning. We provide delivery-ready e-bikes on a monthly plan that includes maintenance, fast repairs, and insurance options, so riders can stay on the road and focus on income. We’ve conducted dozens of interviews with Wolt/Foodora couriers, completed the AaltoES Ignite summer accelerator, and are now preparing our Helsinki pilot with couriers already signed up to rent.
PROGRAM (Tuesday, September 30th):
The programme is open to everyone and you are welcome to attend any sessions. Please note that registration is required for certain activities. The spots for the workshops are limited, save yours ASAP! Find more information below.
📍 Mordor space (A Grid, Otakaari 5A, Espoo)
Let Your Body Guide You from Current Reality to an Emerging Future.
In this session, we will explore the integration of embodied and intuitive knowing with participants' ongoing projects, whether related to the upcoming Nordeep event or other pressing issues in your professional or personal life.
Creative processes naturally involve obstacles and challenges that may seem to hold us back. However, these obstacles can be powerful sources of learning and insight. Being stuck or uncomfortable is not necessarily negative; rather, it can reveal opportunities and is an integral part of the process of creating something new.
Together, we will participate in Stuck and Guided Journaling exercises inspired by creative practices in social arts and systems change. Through these exercises, participants will allow their bodies—tapping into embodied intelligence—to guide them from their current reality toward sensing emerging future potentials.
These exercises promote a self-reflective journey, encouraging us to examine the path we have traveled with a broader perspective. The primary goal is to open access to deeper levels of knowing, uncover new directions and insights, and translate these into concrete actions.
Please arrive in good time and bring a pen and a notebook or paper for the Journaling exercise.
The workshop is accessible.
📍 Mordor space (A Grid, Otakaari 5A, Espoo)
This keynote examines the current reality of space debris in Earth’s orbit, supported by simple calculations and reasoning. It explains why space debris is a growing issue, its potential effects on space operations, and touches on possible ways to prevent the problem from escalating.
📍 Mordor space (A Grid, Otakaari 5A, Espoo)
Curious about how your research could create real-world impact? Join Aalto Inventors to discover why it matters and how their program can help you take your first steps from academia towards the innovation ecosystem.
📍 Mordor space (A Grid, Otakaari 5A, Espoo)
Yoad Mick is the imagination coach who reveals the missing piece keeping people from the success they already have within. Through IMAGYM, he kickstarts Proactive Imagination - a mindset and daily practice that fuels growth, sharpens leadership, and drives lasting transformation. His unique methodology has already helped hundreds of founders, executives, researchers, and teams worldwide achieve change they never thought possible.
📍 Aalto Startup Center's lounge (A Grid, Otakaari 5, Espoo).
Navigate the maze of investor jargon with ease. 'Decoding Investor Language' is designed to give you the edge in reading between the lines and drawing valuable insights from early investor interactions. Learn some key terms that are essential for effective pitches and successful negotiations.
📍 Mordor space (A Grid, Otakaari 5A, Espoo)
Lukumanu Iddrisu, is a speaker, storyteller, and advocate for human connection. With expertise in networking, integration, and personal branding, Lukumanu has helped thousands navigate unseen opportunities and unconventional career paths. At Innovation Week, Lukumanu will speak on the topic “From Connections to Breakthroughs: Networking as an Engine for Innovation”.
📍 Mordor space (A Grid, Otakaari 5A, Espoo)
In 2025, Port_, the first hackathon by the School of Business, brought Aalto students together to launch bold ideas that reached the global stage. More than just a competition, Port_ became the spark for new ventures, lasting friendships, and a vibrant entrepreneurial community.
At Aalto Innovation Week, we celebrate that journey. Joining Port_ Alumni Reunion, alumni reconnect and share their paths, while newcomers gain inspiration. Hear directly from the winners about their experiences at the Global Student Startup Competition (GSSC) and Innova Europe. Then, join in to meet new friends, explore ideas, and even discover co-founders for the next edition of Port_, coming March 2026.
Hosted in A Grid, our event also brings students closer to Aalto Startup Center’s valuable resources, be it coaching, mentoring, or accelerator programs. By connecting students with these opportunities, ASC can engage more aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them turn their ideas into real ventures while building a stronger, active community.
Programme outline:
- 17:00 Welcoming by Leigh Ewin
- 17:10 Opening remarks by Entu
-
17:20 Port_ organizer/ School of Business
Alumni Spotlight; Winning teams; Other alumni.
- 18:00 Networking & Celebration
The following activities are taking place at the same time as the activities above, feel free to explore them at your own pace between 10:00 and 13:00!
📍 A Grid's lobby (Otakaari 5A, Espoo)
Mission: ISS VR Experience (Meta Quest 3)
Using two Meta Quest 3 headsets, participants will be able to explore the International Space Station through the Mission: ISS simulator. Watch a demo on YouTube HERE.
This VR experience is organised by the Student Space Association, which promotes interest, education, and cooperation in astronomy, space research, satellite development, and related technologies among students.
PROGRAM (Wednesday, October 1st):
The programme is open to everyone and you are welcome to attend any sessions. Please note that registration is required for certain activities. Find more information below.
📍 Marsio Lobby (Otakaari 2, Espoo)
Welcome to an exclusive tour at Aalto Studios! Please note that this tour is targeted at filmmakers.
The tour will be held in English and includes:
o Marsio Stage
o Digital Studio
o Sound-Video Edits
o Grading Studio demo
o Marsio Cinema
The guided tour is accessible.
📍 Marsio Lobby (Otakaari 2, Espoo)
Welcome to an exclusive tour at Aalto Studios! Please note that this tour is targeted at the gaming industry.
The tour will be held in English and includes:
Digital Studio
o Marsio Cinema
o Sound-Video Edits
o Grading Studio
o Visualisation Hub
o ExpS1, Immersive Audio Lab
The guided tour is accessible.
📍 Design Factory (Viima building, Puumiehenkuja 5, Espoo)
You are invited to explore the Aalto Design Factory with our 30-Minute Tour + Workshop!
Discover the innovative environment at the Aalto Design Factory (ADF), an interdisciplinary hub at Aalto University focused on practical product development, prototyping, and innovation. Join us for a 30-minute tour that introduces you to ADF's collaborative spaces, prototyping labs, and dynamic learning environment where students, researchers, and industry professionals come together to address real-world challenges with creative solutions.
During this visit, anyone can participate in the face-to-face session of the MEC-E3900 Prototyping Tools course. Engage in a treasure hunt-style orientation to explore prototyping areas, practice drilling, and learn the etiquette and safety protocols of the DF Labs. For Aalto students, staff, and visitors, further online modules are available to complete at your own pace. Completing both components will grant Aalto affiliates 24/7 access to the labs.
📍 Starting & Ending Point: Viima Building, Puumiehenkuja 5, Espoo
📅 Date: Wednesday, 1 October 2025
⏰ Start: 17:00
🏃 Format: 5K / 10K run (in 2 groups)
Join us for an energizing community run followed by an after-party and sauna networking — relax, recharge, and connect! Expect refreshments, drinks, music, and plenty of fun. Bring your best energy and dive into the Aalto startup ecosystem.