For investors
Many of the most significant Finnish technology startups were brought to life at VTT. In addition to empowering companies and organisations through R&D collaboration, VTT creates global impact through startup incubation, acceleration and investments.
Are you looking to invest in the next global category leader?
VTT creates impact through VTT-originating startups
Did you ever think we could grow coffee in a lab in Finland, make egg white without chickens, solve energy challenges with small nuclear reactors or scale a quantum computer to groundbreaking computing power?
These are examples of innovations that have been developed by us. Some have already led to the creation of startups that are commercialising the innovations, such as Onego Bio, which produces egg white without production animals, and Steady Energy, which is developing a small reactor for district heating.
In 2020-2024, 31 VTT-originating startups attracted 10.5% of the equity capital funding raised by all Finnish startups.
As a state-owned research technology organisation, VTT’s task is to create impact in society and industry by accelerating their renewal. The main method is technology transfer.
To maximise impact, VTT strategically assesses how VTT-owned technologies can best be utilised. This often takes place through contract research with established industry, where VTT licenses or sells its intellectual property rights (IPR) and supports customers in creating new IP. Alternatively, impact can be created through in-kind investment of technology into a well-funded startup that uses all its resources on bringing the solution to market and scaling rapidly.
VTT has a long history of supporting researchers in commercialising deep tech innovations. Since 2005, VTT has systematically developed its startup capability as part of its strategy. To date, there have been more than 60 VTT-originating startups.
VTT startups are companies supported by VTT through the utilization or contribution of VTT’s technology, operating via tech transfer agreements, or companies in which VTT has made investments in exchange of shares.
Examples of VTT startups
- Proteins.1 Oy,
Ultra‑sensitive protein detection that reveals molecular disease signals years before symptoms appear, 2026 - Granarium Technologies Oy,
Using nanocellulose to build 100% renewable electricity storage, 2026 - Elea & Lili Oy,
A biodegradable, microplastic‑free absorbent to replace fossil-based superabsorbents, 2026 - Hypermine Oy,
Breakthrough mineral sensing that optimises mine yield and operational efficiency in mining, 2025 - Mukava Biosignals Oy,
Gel‑free breathable electrodes for more comfortable, accurate biosignal monitoring, 2025 - Arctic Instruments Oy,
Superconducting microwave amplifiers for bigger and better quantum computers, 2024 - Happy Plant Protein Oy,
A market-disruptive method of plant protein production, 2024 - Flow-computing Oy,
Ultra-high performance parallel computing solutions, 2024 - Steady Energy Oy,
Compact advanced nuclear heating plants, 2023 - Onego Bio Ltd,
Technology to produce animal-free egg whites, 2022 - Semiqon Technologies Oy,
Silicon-based quantum processors, 2022 - The Warming Surfaces Company Oy,
Ultra-thin and ultra-fast heating solution, 2022 - Carbonaide Oy,
Carbonization technology for the precast concrete industry, 2022 - Dobbelgänger Oy,
Advanced decoy technologies, 2022 - Thermal Channel Technologies Oy,
Thermal management solutions for high-power electronics applications, 2021 - Volare Oy,
Protein, oil and fertilizers from food industry side streams, 2021 - HTM Solutions Oy,
Human thermal status monitoring through software solutions, 2021 - eniferBio Oy,
Protein from circular economy by-products, 2020 - Chipmetrics Oy,
Metrology chips and wafers for semiconductor process control, 2019 - Iiwari Tracking Solutions Oy,
Indoor positioning technology, 2018 - IQM Finland Oy,
Quantum computers and applications, 2018 - Solar Foods Oy,
Protein out of thin air, 2017 - Infinited Fiber Company Oy,
Circular textile fiber, 2016 - Kuva Space Oy,
Hyperspectral satellite constellation and advanced AI-based analytics, 2016 - Minima Processor Oy,
Sub-threshold low-energy processor design, 2016 - Quanturi Oy,
Monitoring and data analysis solutions for fermentable materials, 2016 - Dispelix Oy,
See-through technology for smart eyewear, 2015 - Paptic Oy,
New material replacing paper and plastic, 2015
- BioMensio Oy,
Multianalyte handheld detection for bioanalytics, 2015 - TimeGate Instruments Oy,
Real-time bioprocess monitoring and control, 2014 - Spinnova Oyj,
Technology for producing textile fibre from wood, pulp, or waste, 2014 - Spectral Engines Oy,
Near Infrared spectroscopy technology for measurements, 2014 - Combinostics Oy,
Data-driven diagnostics, 2014 - GrainSense Oy,
Grain nutrient measurement, 2014 - Wicetec Oy,
Ice prevention system for wind turbine blades, 2014 - Helmee Imaging Oy,
Automated optical inspection, 2013 - Posterfy Oy,
Interactive display solutions, 2013 - The Active Paper Company Oy,
Paper-based printed diagnostics, 2013 - Desentum Oy,
Allergy immunotherapy, 2011 - Asqella Oy,
Stand-off screening for physical security, 2011 - LightTherm Oy,
Thermal management solutions for led applications, 2011 - TactoTek Oy,
Injection molded structural electronics, 2011 - Adfore Technologies Oy,
Data-driven services, 2009 - Hookie Technologies Oy,
Digital solutions driving physical activity, 2009 - MediSapiens Oy,
Analysis tools for precision medicine, 2009 - Awanic Oy,
Database-driven solutions for quality and safety management, 2008 - Tori Innovations Oy,
Social innovation platform, 2008 - Envault Corporation Oy,
Helps to protect confidential data against leaks, 2007 - Global EcoSolutions Oy,
Integrated solutions for ecological urban units and districts, 2007 - Nicanti Oy,
Printed electronics for authentication and tracking, 2007 - PlexPress Oy,
High-content gene expression analysis, 2007 Voxstone Oy,
Advanced gas sensing technologies, 2007Aivon Oy,
Electronics and mechanics for cryogenic environments, 2006- FocalSpec Oy,
Optical sensors for measurements in factory production, 2006 - SoluCel Oy,
Technology for plant-derived pharmaceuticals, 2006 - Vergo Oy,
Organize and combine business network information, 2006 - Zora Biosciences Oy,
Clinical diagnostics development, 2006 - Iscent Oy,
Nanoscale optical effects on plastic and paper, 2002 HR-Nugat Oy,
Waste treatment solutions, 1995
VTT invests in startups built on VTT technologies
VTT transfers VTT-owned intellectual property rights and technologies into companies through in-kind investments in exchange of shares. Returns from successful exits are selectively reinvested with pro-rata into the most promising ventures built on VTT technologies.
The investment team assesses the commercialisation potential of technologies and investment opportunities, prepares and executes in-kind and follow-on investments, coordinates investment rounds, and actively manages the portfolio. The investment team works in close collaboration with VTT LaunchPad, which incubates VTT startup projects.
VTT LaunchPad gears spin-offs for global growth
Since 2019, VTT startup projects have been incubated in VTT LaunchPad.
VTT LaunchPad renews industries and society by creating fundable spin-offs based on VTT technologies, gearing them for global growth. The incubation program is tailored to steer each team to aim to become the next global category leaders through bold ambition and international funding.
All incubation teams in VTT LaunchPad are backed by technologies and intellectual property developed and demonstrated at VTT. The teams are actively raising venture capital for funding and seeking collaboration partners. VTT’s technology transfer to a startup is guided by potential to create impact and validated by the market.
VTT operates the NATO DIANA accelerator in Finland
In addition to internal startup incubation and investments, VTT delivers external accelerator programmes in strategically selected industries, extending impact beyond its own startup portfolio.
Currently, VTT operates the NATO DIANA accelerator and test centers in Finland. The accelerator programme, VTT Dual-Use LaunchPad, is designed to equip businesses with the skills and knowledge to navigate the world of deep tech, dual-use innovation.
