During the gala event, distinguished researchers and new spinout companies of 2024 were awarded for their contribution to the commercialisation of science-based inventions. A total of 14 certificates were given for either the first patent application or the first granted patent.
New Innovation Excellence Award to Kumpula
In his speech, Vice-Rector Jouni Hirvonen presented the special "University of Helsinki Innovation Excellence Award for Most Invention Disclosures" for the first time. The award went to the Faculty of Science, which last year produced a significant portion, about 40%, of all invention disclosures made at the university.
The Dean of the Faculty, Sasu Tarkoma received the rotating trophy and a €10,000 cash prize, symbolising the faculty's commitment to innovation activities and the commercialisation of research. The award is based on a key metric of the university's innovation strategy, the annual number of invention disclosures.
Courage and curiosity drive spinout entrepreneurship
Last year, a record six new spinout companies emerged from the University of Helsinki. They represent the diversity of the university's scientific disciplines and demonstrate how scientific problem-solving and curiosity, combined with entrepreneurial courage, can shape the markets and the world of the future.
The following spinouts were awarded the "University of Helsinki Spinout 2024" prize plates:
- Moncyte Health Oy
- Polku Therapeutics Oy
- Otusophta Oy
- Väki Insight Oy
- Acouspin Oy
- Litqu Group Oy
University researcher, CSO of Väki Insight Oy, Mikko Rask, emphasized in his speech that the roles of researcher, inventor, and entrepreneur are not contradictory but complement each other and expand perspectives at the intersection of science and commercialisation.
Helsinki Innovation Services' Innovation Gala Dinner was once again an annual reminder of how collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship can work together to create new things, and how scientific discoveries can be transformed into socially significant and commercially successful technologies.
Congratulations to all University of Helsinki researchers who are actively working to develop new innovations and solve global challenges!