The Aalto Startup Center business accelerator functions as an integral part of Aalto University's entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem. The business accelerator offers versatile business development services and counseling for up to three years old and especially for startup companies in the technology sector. The focus of our operations is to offer client companies high-quality business advice and coaching as well as connections to financiers and stakeholder partners as part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Finland. Aalto Startup Center leads several collaborative programs implemented with external stakeholders, e.g. ESA BIC Finland, Urban Tech Helsinki Incubator, and Aalto Digital Creatives. 

Aalto Campus & Real Estate (ACRE) offers space for interaction between business life and academia. Our goal is to create an internationally known interactive and versatile campus that supports cooperation with surrounding companies and other operators. We want to create a campus that is much more than just a place to study and work. Our startup hub A Grid is home for nearly 150 ambitious startups and partners and acts as a gateway to the university’s ecosystem of resources, talented students and cutting-edge research and infrastructure. Here in Otaniemi Espoo, the university campus lifestyle is blended with entrepreneurial spirit and a mindset to co-create, innovate and change the world.

Are you enthusiastic to work with startups and enjoy the spirit of entrepreneurial atmosphere and innovative environment? Would you like to join in a dynamic A Grid which is one of Northern Europe’s largest centers for growth companies? If you answered yes, maybe you are exactly the person we are looking for!

We are looking for a Startup Ecosystem Specialist for the period 1.10.2025–31.12.2027

We are primarily looking for a person with versatile experience as a Startup ecosystem specialist or extensive experience in various projects promoting entrepreneurship and/or running your own business with various stakeholders.

As a Startup Ecosystem Specialist, you work as part of Aalto Startup Center's multi-skilled team. The role is diverse and multifunctional. Your duties include tasks related to management/administration of separately named projects, as well as a wide range of different communication and event management tasks from planning to execution. You will be also actively developing A Grid community and visitor experience with ACRE team.

Your main areas of responsibility include

• Tasks related to the Aalto Startup ecosystem development together with Aalto Startup Center and Aalto Campus & Real Estate (ACRE). 
• Management and implementation of the Startup Ecosystem development work, such as planning the activities, building connections with Aalto ecosystem players, as well as investors, and customer companies.
• Maintaining good flow of communication within Startup Ecosystem by participating actively in ecosystem activities and also utilizing different digital channels (e.g. Microsoft 365 environment, social media).
• Enhancing and furthering the visitor experience at A Grid; both in physical and digital context. 
• Recognizing and attracting potential international and domestic partners and customers (startups, corporations etc.) and building sustainable partnerships.
• Implementation of Startup Ecosystem events in Aalto campus together with ASUC and ACRE teams and other ecosystem players.

What we value and what we offer?

We value your ability to take initiative and drive projects to completion. Your enthusiasm will not only energize our team but also inspire startups in our ecosystem to reach new heights. Your ability to build and nurture meaningful relationships with startups, investors, mentors, and other key stakeholders has a high value for us. You have a suitable degree for the position and your fluency in digital tools (e.g. Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM) and a good ability to learn new IT tools is seen as a great asset.

We offer an inspiring working environment with a great team and strong interface with startups as well as an entrepreneurial culture that inspires and includes everyone. All our work is guided by the values of the university: responsibility, courage, and collaboration. You will have a meaningful role with true impact in our university’s success. Support and sparring are always there for you when you feel you need it.

The work starts as soon as we find a suitable candidate and lasts until 31.12.2027. Our working language is English, but Finnish is an advantage. We are located on Aalto University Campus in A Grid, Otakaari 5. It is important that you are able to work on campus since most of customers are here (total remote work is not possible).

Interested?

If you want to join our community, please submit your CV and motivation letter through our recruitment system by 21.9.2025. If you are an Aalto employee or visitor, please apply via our internal system Workday > Internal Jobs.

To hear more, you can reach out to Head of Aalto Startup Center Marika Paakkala, marika.paakkala@aalto.fi, tel. 040 829 2286, on Monday 8.9. between 12:00 and 13:00, on Friday 12.9. between 12:00 and 13:00, or on Wednesday 17.9. between 14:00 and 15:00.

Please read more:

https://startupcenter.aalto.fi/

www.agrid.fi

www.acre.aalto.fi

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.