Five core reasons for a startup or scaleup to collaborate with a research institution

I recently had the pleasure of speaking to ambitious early-stage deep tech companies at an event at the Embassy of Finland in London. I shared my thoughts on how VTT can help up-and-coming companies make the journey from concept to commercial impact a resounding success.

The message was simple: with the right partner, you don’t have to do it all alone.

While partnering with an applied research entity like VTT might not occur to a startup's management at first glance as a viable plan of action, I'm here to set the record straight on how we can offer substantial propulsion towards sustainable, scalable success. Here are five powerful ways VTT will drive you to thrive:

1. Stay focused on your core – let VTT be your R&D engine

Building internal R&D capacity can stretch an emergent company's resources to the breaking point even before the heavy lifting has begun. VTT has the capacity to operate like an extension of your team, allowing you to scale your R&D efforts depending on the project's needs. This means your company can keep resources aligned on your customers, product development, and other key areas integral to your core business, while we help to carry the load on the science and technology side.

2. Tap into Europe’s best minds

Validating technology before entering the market is absolutely crucial, and we at VTT are primed to assess the viability and scalability of our clients' technological solutions. We have invested in science-based expertise and piloting infrastructure for decades, which means we are primed to offer our customers a fast lane to the next breakthrough.

VTT’s multidisciplinary expertise spans quantum technology, synthetic biology, advanced materials, energy innovation, and more.

3. Navigate past heavy infrastructure investment

Early-stage companies must be able to operate with agility and efficiency – with every new investment a potential pitfall. Working with VTT eliminates the need to invest in your own costly labs, testing facilities, and hard-to-access specialists. You get world-class infrastructure and top experts without the overhead. Our piloting environments and connections to the best partners across Europe offer you a launchpad for rapid commercialisation.

4. Find new opportunities for growth and expansion

VTT has the means to open doors to public-private partnerships and international ecosystems, helping you share risk, access funding, and co-create with global research and business leaders. We can tailor customised partnerships according to our clients' wishes and needs, assist clients in joining collaborative projects with a mix of public and private funding, and offer unique opportunities to join our innovation ecosystems where strategically important areas are created and tested.

5. You own the IP

We believe in empowering our customers. That’s why the foreground IP developed in your project is principally yours. Additionally, you have the option of licensing existing VTT IP on commercial terms. Our customer-friendly IP policy ensures you’re in control of the future of the innovations.

VTT doesn’t just provide services; we walk with you through the entire innovation lifecycle. From early-stage feasibility studies to piloting and scale-up, our experience spans decades of turning scientific breakthroughs into commercial ventures that shape technological innovation and societal change for good. Our in-house incubator, VTT LaunchPad, has helped spin out companies that today attract nearly 10% of Finland’s venture funding – including Solar Foods, Enifer, and Onego Bio, only to name a few.

VTT is not just about supporting business – we are passionate and determined to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges. From decarbonising industry to advancing synthetic biology and life-affirming digital solutions, we strive to forge a path of exponential hope with science-based innovation. Read more on our strategy and the eight challenges we focus on to create sustainable growth here.

Whether you’re building the next groundbreaking clean energy solution, biotech platform, or gearing up to take the next leap in digital evolution, VTT is the partner that can help turn your vision into reality. So, let’s start building the future together – we are ready when you are.