A total of seven research projects from the University of Helsinki were granted the Business Finland Research to Business funding in the autumn 2024 funding round. By the beginning of March, they all have started as commercialisation projects, or Research to Business projects (R2B projects), preparing the commercialisation of a science-based innovation. Among these commercialisation projects three are from Viikki, three from Kumpula, and one from Meilahti.
New commercialisation projects from health and cleantech to food and biotechnology
At the Viikki campus, the OatGuard project is developing a new solution for food flavour challenges, OrientLock is working on next-generation biosensor technology, and AdCab is focusing on a novel drug-based method for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
In Kumpula, IdealSens monitors, analyses, and models air quality and pollutants in urban environments, AgentFormers are developing a customisable generative AI agent software solution for organisations, and SuperBase Solutions is finding a way to produce cost-effective superbase for the chemical industry.
In Meilahti at Neuroscience Center, Stop Seizures is preparing to commercialise a new drug aimed at treating neurological diseases.
Research to Business funding enables the commercialisation of research ideas
Business Finland’s Research to Business funding is an important financial instrument for Finnish research projects that aim to commercialise their inventions. With this funding, public research organisations can prepare for the commercialisation of research-based product or service ideas and conduct applied research to support the commercialisation process. The duration of the preparatory commercialisation project typically ranges from one and a half to two years.
“A larger number of research projects applied for the autumn 2024 funding round compared to previous years. Success in the application process required well-prepared proposals and commitment from research teams to clearly present their innovations and topics,” says Kajsa Kajander, Director of Operations at Helsinki Innovation Services Ltd, adding:
“Success in the funding application process is crucial for ensuring the commercialisation of new science-based innovations and helps bring new technology to a broader market and society. We have developed processes to support the commercialisation preparations so that the projects will have the best tools to realise the commercial potential of their innovations.”