Kind: News section

Marika Paakkala has been appointed to Aalto University’s Center for Knowledge and Innovation Research (CKIR). She joins CKIR after leading Aalto Startup Center for 25 years, during which the unit developed into an internationally recognised and award-winning actor whose operating models have been widely used to support entrepreneurship, innovation, and the development of high-growth enterprises. Paakkala has led numerous entrepreneurship…

The Mobile is Global research project concluded with a final seminar on 9 June 2026 on the future of mobile communications, digital value creation and Europe’s position in the next phase of global technology competition. The event brought together perspectives from research, policy and innovation, including Aalto University, ETLA, the Ministry of Transport and Communications…

With the core provisions of the EU Data Act taking effect in September 2025, Europe has launched its most ambitious regulatory effort in decades to reshape the industrial data economy. This project analyzes the practical implications of this shift, evaluating its success in preventing data lock-in and driving true market innovation.  A research collaboration with…

On 9 June, the Better Business – Better Society seminar: Managing Business Uncertainty in Practice brought together researchers, practitioners, and students to explore how organisations can navigate uncertainty in practice. This seminar, co-organised by CKIR and the School of Science, highlighted that resilience is not only about reacting to disruptions but also about proactively using…

D2XCEL concludes after 2.5 years of supporting deep tech and digital ventures across Europe. This collaborative pan-European scaling programme brought together a top-tier industry network of 300+ investors, public and private lead customers, and innovation hubs to support deep tech and digital ventures. We holistically mentored the selected ventures and connected them with investors, lead…

After two years of supporting Ukrainian technology startups and accelerating their integration into the European innovation ecosystem, the Seeds of Bravery programme concluded in spring 2026. As a project partner, CKIR is proud to share that the programme evolved into a powerful catalyst for Ukrainian innovation, significantly strengthening the international visibility and positioning of Ukrainian…

Welcome to the Better Business – Better Society seminar: Managing Business Uncertainty in Practice on 9 June 2026! The seminar is organised in collaboration with CKIR and Aalto University School of Science. Communities today face overlapping disruptions such as climate events, infrastructure stress, and unequal access to essential services. These challenges are not isolated; they interact,…

As a project partner involved in developing the AI-on-Demand (AIoD) Platform, CKIR is proud to announce that the AIoD Open Call is now open! The call offers up to €60,000 funding, mentoring, and access to Europe’s flagship infrastructure for trustworthy and ethical AI.​ If your organization is an AI provider with a market-ready solution (TRL…

Antti Ainamo, Adjunct Professor at Aalto University School of Business, explores the untapped potential of AI in the construction sector in his article “Why construction companies must invest in AI.” According to Ainamo, AI could help construction companies to improve productivity, make their business models more effective, reduce delays, and better manage complex, fragmented projects.…

The Fulbright Finland Foundation promotes educational, academic, and professional exchange between Finland and the United States. It designs and manages study and research scholarships, leadership development programs, and internationalization services. Ilkka Lakaniemi, Director of CKIR, has been appointed to the board of the Fulbright Finland Foundation. Previously, Lakaniemi has held leadership positions in business development,…

Verkoista dataan, avoimuudesta fragmentaatioon – Suomen ja Euroopan valinnat 6G‑aikakaudella Tervetuloa ”Mobile is Global” -tutkimushankkeen loppuseminaariin, jossa avaamme uusien mobiiliteknologioiden tulevaisuutta ja keskustelemme siitä, millaisia muutoksia on odotettavissa. 6G muuttaa mobiilialan pelisääntöjä: arvo siirtyy verkoista niiden yläpuolella oleville kerroksille eli dataan, ohjelmistoihin ja ekosysteemeihin. Samaan aikaan käynnissä oleva geoekonominen murros kietoo yhteen markkinat, teknologiapolitiikan ja…