Get to know Oliver Rotko, Business Advisor

1. Could you please give us a short introduction about yourself? (Name, position in Aalto Startup Center, etc.)

My name is Oliver Rotko and I work as a Business Advisor at Aalto Startup Center.

2. Can you tell us a bit about your professional background?

I have a Master’s in Economics and Business Administration from Aalto University, majoring in entrepreneurship and sustainable business management. My professional background is mostly in B2B sales and marketing but I’ve also been working as an entrepreneur for the past 10 years, having established 3 different companies from custom hand-made watches to YouTube and video marketing consulting. The last 7 years, however, I have spent building my own dual-use DeepTech startup, Arctic Farming, which developed and sold indoor gardening appliances for consumers and hospitality professionals. As the CEO and one of the co-founders, I led our team from idea stage to commercialisation with 1M€ in funding raised from investors. In my role at Arctic Farming, I got the chance to build an international and multidisciplinary team and to commercialise a science-based product with sales in over 20 different countries.

3. Can you explain a bit about your role at Aalto Startup Center?

In my position as business advisor, I mentor and support startups and Aalto-based research teams in the commercialisation of their science-based innovations. Our support ranges from helping first-time founders to get familiar with the basics of startup entrepreneurship to complex funding discussions. Ideally, we will help founders from their initial idea stage to global impact.

4. So, what brought you to Aalto Startup Center originally?

As part of Arctic Farming, I got the chance to participate in 2 startup accelerator programs, Urban Tech Helsinki and ESA BIC Finland, both run by Aalto Startup Center. These programs introduced me to the support network that Aalto University provides startups, and I got to work closely with Aalto Startup Center business advisors. As an alumni of the university, and an alumni of Aalto Startup Center's programs, it was a natural transition from startup founder to startup advisor.

5. After a few weeks of working here, do you enjoy the experience? Which part is your favorite so far?

After working such a long time on one’s own startup, it feels incredibly rewarding being able to support and help other founders and to-be-founders to get their own startups going. My own founder path was significantly impacted by other people like investors and other founders who wanted to help and share their experiences, and it’s a joy to be able to return the favour.

6. What have you been working on recently?

Helping Aalto-based research-to-business projects build their investor pitches. It is quite common that researchers and business developers who are building a project based on years of experience in research, become somewhat blind to how complex their product innovations are. With investors, it is crucial that founders are able to simplify their business in order to communicate effectively. This is what I have been focusing on for the past few weeks.

7. What’s your preferred work style?

I love getting into the zone and getting a lot of things done in quick stints. This means that I often lock myself into my screen for an hour or two at a time, after which I can take a good break and get my brain cooled. Of course, nothing beats working once or twice per week from home, but I do really enjoy working from the office because it allows me to exchange ideas with colleagues much easier.

8. Do you want to say something to our startups?

Settle in and learn to embrace the suck. Despite the hype, building your own startup is not a funky sprint with daily sparkling wine and parties. It’s a tough marathon with endless ups and downs that are best tackled with a great team behind you.

10. Tell us one thing about yourself that would surprise us

Before applying to business school, I wanted to become Indiana Jones. However, I realised that leather jackets and fedoras don’t fit me that well, so I had to abandon the dream...