Strategic partnership is a long-term commitment
A strategic corporate partnership is a mutual, long-term commitment and investment in cooperation between Aalto University and a company in creating solutions for a sustainable future.
Through cooperation, our strategic partners have an insight into the latest knowledge and research in their fields. They may be able to discover emerging, potentially disruptive technologies for strengthening an existing business or developing new business ideas. A partnership enables a continuous dialogue with Aalto’s researchers and students, the future talents of different industries.
Strategic partners play an important role in developing the quality of Aalto’s research and education. Partnerships provide us with valuable insights into the business sector, its expertise and needs for talent and innovation. Through cooperation with companies, we can better develop our operations to meet the future requirements of business.
Read about our strategic corporate partnerships
Strategic corporate partner ABB
Aalto University and ABB cooperate in many different areas, and all six Aalto schools are involved. The cooperation has continued for more than 130 years.
Strategic corporate partner Neste
In collaboration, Aalto University and Neste strive to find solutions to major global challenges by combining high-level research with leading industrial expertise.
Strategic corporate partner Nokia
Nokia has been an important partner for Aalto University and its predecessor universities for decades. There are currently close to 20 ongoing research collaboration projects.
Strategic corporate partner Saab
Saab's long-term commitment to cooperation provides good conditions for scientific breakthroughs and the creation of new innovations.
Cutting-edge expertise
Research projects with our strategic partners require cutting-edge expertise, taking advantage of Aalto’s multidisciplinary approach. The research collaboration can involve professors and postdoctoral researchers as well as doctoral and master's students from different fields at Aalto. Learn more about Aalto's key research areas here.
Each strategic partnership has a steering group that meets a few times annually. Also, the top management at Aalto and the company meet yearly to discuss the collaboration and its future development. Strategic partnerships are coordinated by Aalto’s key account managers from the corporate relations team.
Creating impact together
In 2023, Aalto was ranked 21st in university-industry ranking globally (Leiden Ranking University Collaboration). Read more about Aalto's rankings here.
Strategic cooperation provides unique conditions for scientific breakthroughs and innovation. Together with our partners, we join forces in multidisciplinary research projects for developing sustainable solutions for business.
Educational cooperation includes master's thesis projects and study project courses solving real-life business challenges. Business-funded doctoral and master’s theses have also proven to be an effective way of recruiting future talents to companies.
The partnership with ABB is a good example of a prosperous long-term collaboration that involves all six schools of the university. Our students complete about five doctoral degrees, four bachelor's degrees and 20-30 master's theses for ABB each year. Over the years, numerous patents have also been secured in collaboration projects.
Micael Johansson, President and CEO, SaabBy working with Aalto, we have achieved excellent research results that benefit both parties
News about collaboration
A joint project between Kesko and Aalto University examined the development of retail media, focusing on both everyday life and the moment of purchase
The student project gave Kesko an external perspective on the expectations and needs of its advertising customers and on product development in the media
Riina Kostiainen sliced Nokia’s 5G networks for her thesis
In her master's thesis, made in collaboration with Nokia, Riina Kostiainen researched dividing 5G networks into virtual slices, which ensure bandwidth for such critical devices.
How can we ensure sustainable and equitable water use in times of crisis?
The multidisciplinary GloWater project develops solutions that help nations and companies manage their water risks and reinforce their water responsibility, taking into account the perspectives of civil society. The project also provides new insights into the sustainability of water resources by considering the role of water in regulating the overall state of the planet.
Artificial intelligence accelerates materials research – thesis brought new perspectives to Betolar's development work
Aalto University student Edvard Ohlström examined Betolar's new AI-based approach to analysing industrial side streams in his Master's thesis.Want to know more? Contact our key account managers:
Neste: Petri Silenius
