FinnCERES and Aalto Inventors: Inspiring the next wave of innovators

FinnCERES, in collaboration with the Bioinnovation Center, is piloting an exciting initiative to bridge the gap between academia and industry. The Aalto Inventors program offers scientists a structured path to explore the commercial potential of their research, encouraging a culture of innovation.

The program kicked off in April with 16 doctoral students and post-docs from bioeconomy, strongly supported by key people from the innovation ecosystem. Photo: Aalto University

FinnCERES proudly supports the Aalto Inventors program, which kicked off in April, engaging 16 doctoral students and post-docs from the bioeconomy field. This initiative empowers researchers to assess the societal and commercial impact of their work and explore entrepreneurial opportunities. Emphasizing a shift in mindset rather than immediate startup creation, participants learn about intellectual property, funding, and the applicability of their research. The collaboration aims to foster a culture where curiosity-driven exploration and innovation are integral to the research journey, aligning with FinnCERES's commitment to transforming scientific breakthroughs into real-world solutions.

We do need a new culture of innovation, and this is a concrete step in that direction. As a young scientist I also used to think that being an inventor conflict with doing research – but now I know it’s the opposite, - Kristiina Kruus, Dean of the School of Chemical Engineering

Read more about the program at Aalto University's website.