University of Helsinki: Slush gives science-based innovations a platform to bloom
For researchers involved in commercialisation activities, Slush is an opportunity to find new partners, entrepreneurs and investors.
Science-based innovations have the proven potential to become hugely successful businesses that truly change the world – as well as the future of those who believed and invested in them early on.
That’s why the University of Helsinki wants to give science-based innovations an opportunity to be showcased at
Slush
again this year. The event will be held at Messukeskus Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre on 1–2 December.
The science-based innovations that will be presented at the startup event include innovations that, for instance, enable the safe use of sensitive health data, reduce food waste, or promote the treatment of brain diseases. All the spinouts and Research to Business projects to be showcased at Slush are presented
here
. The Research to Business projects will also be presented at Unicorner, a side event of Slush.
– Innovations and new beginnings are often sparked by surprising connections and insights. However, results don’t happen by chance; rather, the right people have to come together at the right time. At Slush, we have a unique opportunity to bring together the people behind research-based innovations, investors and other public operators. Together, we can turn current ideas into the kind of reality we wish to inhabit in the future, says Paula Eerola, vice-rector responsible for research and innovation at the University of Helsinki.
From research results into commercial successes
In practice, the spinouts and Research to Business projects are brought to Slush by
Helsinki Innovation Services (HIS)
. HIS is a company owned by the University of Helsinki.
HIS is a commercialisation expert, mediating between researchers and the business world to promote the use of academic innovations in society. The company evaluates the commercial significance of research ideas and helps researchers with matters such as finding funding for the preparation of commercialisation, licensing, applying for patents, and establishing spinout companies.
– Commercialisation is the way to get inventions and ideas out to society and for the benefit of the world. Helsinki Innovation Services helps university researchers to do so. We have created spin-out companies that e.g. export Finnish preschool excellence, enable needle-free health monitoring, and use nature’s own microbial diversity to help prevent immune-mediated diseases, says CEO Jari Strandman from Helsinki Innovation Services
HIS has been helping researchers commercialise their ideas for the last 10 years. Submit your Invention Disclosure
here
.
Y Science brings life sciences to Slush
For the fourth time, Y Science will gather together the life science community at Slush, to connect researchers, startups, investors, students, and all those enthusiastic about the commercialisation of research, and to inspire concrete actions for society. This year the
Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences
(HiLIFE, from the University of Helsinki) is collaborating with
SynBio Powerhouse
,
Health Capital Helsinki
, and
Viikki Food Design Factory
to design a programme full of exciting talks and startup pitches on a wide range of topics spanning from health and pharma to biotech and sustainability, and even food tech and agritech.
– Life Science research is providing tools to address and respond to the most pressing global challenges, with COVID-19 as a concrete example. At HiLIFE, it is our privilege and duty to support the path from research excellence to innovations and tangible solutions. We are extremely pleased that Y Science has gained international recognition as a showroom for these activities and a site for academia-industry interactions, says Olli Silvennoinen, director of HiLIFE.
Y Science will take place on 1 December 2021, 12.00–16.00, at Messukeskus Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, and thanks to the hybrid format of the event, attendees will also be able to follow the entire program remotely and arrange virtual meetings during the whole of Slush week.