Business Advisor, Deep Tech Startups

Job Description

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.

Your team and network

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

We are looking for someone who is inspired by helping founders succeed and who understands the specific challenges of building deep tech companies.

The ideal candidate has:

• 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.

Join us

If this sounds like the right next step for you, please submit your CV and motivation letter, including your salary expectation, through our recruitment system by Monday August 31st.

We will review applications during the application period and may invite suitable candidates to interview before the deadline.

Please note: Aalto University employees and visitors should apply via the internal system: Workday → Find Jobs.

For further information about the position, please contact:

Niko Downie, Head of Aalto Startup Advisory, Tel. +358 50 302 7996. Available for calls on Friday August 21st, 10.00-11.00 and Friday August 28th, 13.00-14.00.