Business Advisor, Deep Tech Startups

Aalto University; Espoo; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Aalto Startup Development invites applications for a Business Advisor to mentor high-potential deep tech startups and Research to Business projects at Aalto University in Otaniemi, Espoo. You will sharpen commercial strategy, build funding plans and guide investor discussions to move promising technology toward scalable ventures.

You will design workshops, coach teams and work with ESA BIC, Business Finland-funded projects and the broader Aalto ecosystem to help teams become investable and

Qualifications

• First-hand experience founding, leading, funding or scaling a deep tech or science-based startup.
• Strong understanding of commercialisation paths for research-based technologies.
• Experience with startup fundraising and/or investor readiness.
• Ability to challenge and support founders in areas such as business model, market focus, go-to-market strategy and financial modelling.
• A strong network in the startup ecosystem.
• A practical, founder-friendly coaching style and genuine desire to help early-stage teams grow.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Fluency in English.
• Experience with venture capital, Business Finland/EU funding, corporate partnerships, industrial sales or university spinouts is considered an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Coach and support a diverse portfolio of startups and research-based project teams.
• Help teams become commercially and financially ready for their next major milestone.
• Design and deliver workshops, tools and frameworks that help teams develop commercial thinking, funding readiness and execution.
• Collaborate with the Aalto Startup Development team and ecosystem partners to support founders and researchers.

Skills

Founder experience

Startup leadership

Fundraising experience

Commercialisation paths

Investor readiness

Business model

Go-to-market

Financial modelling

Startup ecosystem network

Coaching style

Independent and team work

Fluent English

VC/Funding experience

Job description

Business Advisor, Deep Tech Startups Are you excited by research-based innovation, deep tech startups and helping ambitious founders turn breakthrough ideas into companies that scale globally? Aalto Startup Development is looking for a Business Advisor to work with high-potential deep tech startups and Aalto University’s portfolio of Research to Business commercialisation projects (future spinout companies). In this role, you will help founders sharpen their commercial strategy, build credible funding plans, prepare for investor and funding discussions, and move from promising technology toward scalable business. This is a 2-year fixed term Business Advisor position. Aalto Startup Development has supported many of Finland’s most ambitious innovation journeys. Our alumni and portfolio companies include deep tech and research-based companies such as ICEYE, Kuva Space, Solar Foods, NP Harvest, Surgify Medical and others working at the intersection of science, technology and global impact. If you have founded, led, funded or scaled a deep tech startup and now want to use that experience to help the next generation of founders succeed, we would like to hear from you.

Your role

As a Business Advisor, you will coach and support a diverse portfolio of startups and research-based project teams, including companies in the Business Generator accelerator program, European Space Agency Business Incubator (ESA BIC) and Aalto University’s Business Finland-funded Research to Business projects. Your focus will be on helping teams become commercially and financially ready for their next major milestone. This may include customer discovery, market entry strategy, business model development, investor readiness or team development. You will work hands-on with founders and project teams to help them answer questions such as: Who is the first real customer, and why? What is the strongest commercial pathway from research to market? What funding route best fits this venture? E.g. public funding, VC investment? What evidence is needed to convince customers, partners and investors? What should the team focus on now to become investable or commercially credible? How can a deep tech team communicate its value clearly and compellingly? You will also design and deliver workshops, tools and frameworks that help teams develop their commercial thinking, funding readiness and ability to execute. You will join the Aalto Startup Development team (part of Aalto Innovation), working closely with other business advisors and the wider Aalto ecosystem. You will work with entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, industry experts and ecosystem partners to help research-based innovations take the next leap. The team is led by Niko Downie, Head of Aalto Startup Development.

What we are looking for

• First-hand experience founding, leading, funding or scaling a deep tech or science-based startup
• Strong understanding of commercialisation paths for research-based technologies
• Experience with startup fundraising and/or investor readiness
• Ability to challenge and support founders in areas such as business model, market focus, go-to-market strategy and financial modelling
• A strong network in the startup ecosystem
• A practical, founder-friendly coaching style and genuine desire to help early-stage teams grow
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Fluency in English
• Experience with venture capital, Business Finland/EU funding, corporate partnerships, industrial sales or university spinouts is considered an advantage

What we offer

• A front-row seat to the next wave of deep tech.
• You will work with ambitious founders and research teams building companies from world-class science and technology.
• A chance to make a real impact.
• Your work will help teams move from lab to market, secure funding, build companies and tackle major global challenges.
• A dynamic and international environment.
• You will be part of Aalto University’s vibrant innovation ecosystem in Otaniemi, Espoo.
• Opportunities for learning and development.
• We continuously improve how we support startups, founders and research-based ventures.
• A collaborative and inclusive culture.
• Our work is guided by Aalto University’s values: responsibility, courage and collaboration.
• The primary workplace is Otaniemi, Espoo.
• The Aalto University campus is a thriving community of 120+ nationalities, 16 000 students and 5 200 employees, with excellent metro connections, vibrant campus life, architecture, nature, restaurants and services.

For further information about the position, please contact: Niko Downie, Head of Aalto Startup Advisory, Tel. [phone]. Available for calls on Friday August 21st, 10.00-11.00 and Friday August 28th, 13.00-14.00.

About Aalto University

At Aalto University, science and art meet technology and business. We build a sustainable future by achieving breakthroughs in our key areas and at their intersections. At the same time, we inspire the change-makers of the future and create solutions to the world’s grand challenges. Our university community comprises 16,000 students, 446 professors, and over 5,000 employees representing more than 120 nationalities. Our campus is located in Otaniemi, Espoo. Diversity is part of who we are, and we work continuously to ensure diversity and non-discrimination in our community. We therefore encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to join us. More about Aalto University: Aalto.fi youtube.com/user/aaltouniversity linkedin.com/school/aalto-university/ www.facebook.com/aaltouniversity instagram.com/aaltouniversity To view information about Workday Accessibility, please click here. Please see more of our Open Positions here. Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 16 000 students and 5 200 employees, including 446 professors, working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.