Successful kick-off for increased focus on startup-industry collaboration
How can startups and industry work together to create a stable and sustainable energy system? That was the subject of the first KTH Innovation Catalyst, a new initiative for increased collaboration between startups from KTH and the industry.
The snowstorm had subsided, and the sun was shining over KTH Campus as a hundred representatives from industrial companies, startups, and investors made their way to KTH Innovation's premises at Teknikringen 1.
New initiative to facilitate collaboration
Today's event, KTH Innovation Catalyst, is a new initiative within KTH Innovation that is focused on facilitating collaboration between startups from KTH, and industry. The initiative is led by Marcus Dahllöf, who over six years successfully built up a similar program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US.
Over 400 active startups from KTH
Today, over 400 active startups have their roots at KTH, and there are already several existing collaborations with the industry. One notable example is last-mile delivery company, Airmee, that has a close collaboration with Amazon which has also invested in the company. Another is IT security company Foreseeti, which Google acquired in May 2022. Both companies were founded with support from KTH Innovation.
- KTH Innovation has built a commercialization engine, where 400 ideas are validated and 40-50 startups are founded every year, said Marcus Dahllöf from the stage. Now we want to build a world-class program, and we hope that Catalyst can be a spark that creates opportunities for more partnerships. Over time we are going to create additional opportunities for industry and investors to engage with KTH.
Gathered experts
The event focused on a current topic: energy. Marcus Dahllöf encouraged everyone to take advantage of the great expertise in the room. Attending were representatives from sixteen large corporations, such as Vattenfall, Siemens Energy and Mitsubishi, plus investors and startup founders. Mineta Galijasevic, responsible for Business Model & Partnering at Siemens Energy said:
- All companies need to be on their toes when it comes to innovation and to solve the complex problems we face, we need to collaborate. People are what make things happen, and we need to meet and discuss big challenges in order to solve them together.
Seven exciting energy startups
Seven energy startups showcased their solutions, from fusion technology and small, modular reactors to green hydrogen technology.
- As a startup, it was fantastic to hear what efforts large companies are making to promote innovation, says Liam Hardey, CEO of Cellfion. The industry sees the value of collaboration with startups, and for us it is very important to hear what challenges they see in their field. KTH Innovation invited fantastic partners. It was a good day!
Want to know more?
Do you represent a company that wants to collaborate with startups from KTH, or are you looking for new investment opportunities? Contact Marcus Dahllöf, Director of the Industry Startup Program.
