VTT LaunchPad
The science-based incubator VTT LaunchPad delivers VTT’s strategy to renew industries and society by spinning off companies built on VTT’s technologies. In the incubator, we bring VTT researchers and IPR together with the best business minds and investors out there.
Watch LaunchPad introduction and the pitches of our teams at our Meet and Greet event 11.10.2022.
VTT LaunchPad is committed to develop fundable spin-off companies with great impact
VTT is a powerhouse of technology development and scientific research. Many of the most significant Finnish technology start-ups were brought to life at VTT. VTT LaunchPad supports venture teams to develop VTT owned IPR into fundable startups geared for an international growth path.
In 2024 Financial Times chose VTT LaunchPad to its list of leading startup hubs in Europe.
VTT LaunchPad started its incubation operations in 2019. Internal VTT teams who wish to develop a spin-off venture based on their research and inventions can apply for the program all year round. However, the most typical way of joining the incubation program is through our commercialization workshop offered both in the spring and fall. The workshop lays the foundation for spin-off path to aim high and dream big:
- What is the bold global impact that could be achieved in 10 years based on the technology you have developed?
- How to achieve the long-term impact?
- Who has the most burning need?
- Where should the project be in 3 years to be on the desired development path?
- Who should be involved in building the dream and who are the ones who could help?
In VTT LaunchPad, our spin-off projects are developed with either the Business Finland's R2B (Research to Business) funding or our own funding. VTT LaunchPad facilitates and spars R2B funding applications across VTT in the commercialization workshops and helps with complementing the research teams with external commercialization expertise.
The incubator’s own funding is faster by nature and can offer an accelerated path out. In our own funding, we apply the evidence-based Lean Startup principles of reducing uncertainty one step at the time. We emphasize getting the ventures close to customers as early as possible to create startups that serve a real customer need.
The VTT LaunchPad incubator training program is tailored to cultivate high quality fundable spin-off startups. In addition, we offer other help according to individual teams’ needs and current state of development.
Venture team development is of high importance to us as that is the root cause of failure for most failed startups. In addition to the current sparring and training on this, we are constantly trying to improve and take our offering to the next level.
VTT LaunchPad teams
In our deep-tech incubator, we create bold science-driven companies to renew industries by combining research, technology, mentors and investors. Get to know our teams and be part of the future of new innovations now!
The incubation program offers
- Up to a year of pre-seed funding for the teams, guided by the Lean Startup principles
- IPR support and development
- Active team development
- Entrepreneurial training and courses
- Mentoring, contacts to investors and other partners
To enter to the VTT LaunchPad, the business idea must
- Be built on VTT IPR that can be spun off.
- Show market potential and be scalable.
- Have a positive impact and benefit for society and the customer.
- Be built on demonstrated technology.
- Be run by a team that can develop to a fundable team.
Ways of getting involved
We are constantly looking for individuals with proven track record of developing startups to international commercial success, who are interested in:
- Founding a science-based startup
- Joining a team as an entrepreneur
- Mentoring
Benefits for an investor
- Early opportunities for interaction and investment.
- Early visibility into venture teams and tech trends.
- Science & research based new ventures with solid IPR.
- Exceptionally customer centric teams, proven customer need, problem-solution fit and customer commitment.
As a corporate partner
- You may be able to help with the productization
- Be the early stage customer
- Take part as an advisor of a Research to Business -project.
Lotta is the founder of VTT LaunchPad and head of Incubation and Acceleration at VTT. She has career-long experience in strategic innovation in multiple new business creation environments in large international corporations. Lotta is firm believer of the lean methodology, culture of trial and error and customer centeredness. Her vision is to accelerate the growth of the Finnish economy and the renewal of industry with high-quality well-funded VTT spinoffs hungry for global impact.
Mio works as a business analyst at VTT LaunchPad. His task is to support VTT LaunchPad teams with business development. He helps the teams to create feasible and viable business plans, including business modeling, market & competitor analysis, and financial modeling. He monitors and analyses startup field, especially startup and deep tech funding. He is also active in the daily VTT LaunchPad operations.
Laura’s main responsibility in VTT LaunchPad is to leverage omnichannel communication in the ecosystem thanks to her professional experience in communications and educational background in innovation. In addition, she coordinates event planning and production and ensures the daily activities of VTT LaunchPad run smoothly. Laura is the primary contact person in case of general inquiries.
Suvi's role is to coordinate and develop the training program of VTT LaunchPad. With her previous experiences in the startup ecosystem, incubation and innovation she supports VTT LaunchPad teams. She also assists with event production and marketing as well as the initiation of the NATO DIANA accelerator.
Tiia-Maria's main roles are communication and collaboration with stakeholders and the startup ecosystem as well as development of the mentoring program. She also supports Lotta in developing systematic practices for incubating research-based spin-offs. Thanks to her previous career as a biomaterial researcher at VTT she understands the mindset of a scientist and is interested in supporting their mental shift to entrepreneurs.