Business Essentials for Researchers Training
Time
1.10.2025 at 9.00 - 3.12.2025 at 16.15
The Business Essentials for Researchers (BER) training is intended for researchers at Åbo Akademi University (ÅAU) and the University of Turku (UTU), who consider establishing a company or who are involved or pursue career that involves commercial exploitation of research-based expertise and knowledge. Training is recommended especially for doctoral researchers and early career researchers (recently completed doctoral degree).
Altogether 20 participants from ÅAU and UTU are selected to the training based on a motivation letter.
Submit your application by 17.9.2025 using an online form along with the motivation letter: https://survey.abo.fi/lomakkeet/17060/lomake.html
Learning outcomes:
After the training the participant has a basic understanding of business development and commercialisation in the academia; can use and exploit patent databases and the university invention proposal process; know how to present and sell academic expertise; and is equipped with a business mindset.
Contents:
Starting your own company, pitching (how to present your research/idea), how to find financing for your start-up, intellectual properties and technology transfer/knowledge transfer, working outside the academic sector, and marketing of academic expertise.
Working methods:
The training consists of independent studying online (starting from early October), five on-site learning days consisting of expert lectures and/or a workshop session as well as independent studying. On-site learning days are organized at 12:15-16:15 on 5.11.2025, 12.11.2025, 19.11.2025, 26.11.2025 and 3.12.2025.
Selected participants will be provided with a detailed programme including suggested online study periods and programme of the on-site learning days.
Further information:
At the University of Turku: Kirsi Peura (kirsi.peura@utu.fi), The University of Turku,
At Åbo Akademi University: Camilla Pelo (camilla.pelo@abo.fi), Åbo Akademi University, Research services.
The BER Training is organized as part of the UNICOM+ Uniting Companies, Employers and International University Talents project (2025-2027) co-funded by the European Union. See further information: www.utu.fi/unicom.
Altogether 20 participants from ÅAU and UTU are selected to the training based on a motivation letter.
Submit your application by 17.9.2025 using an online form along with the motivation letter: https://survey.abo.fi/lomakkeet/17060/lomake.html
Learning outcomes:
After the training the participant has a basic understanding of business development and commercialisation in the academia; can use and exploit patent databases and the university invention proposal process; know how to present and sell academic expertise; and is equipped with a business mindset.
Contents:
Starting your own company, pitching (how to present your research/idea), how to find financing for your start-up, intellectual properties and technology transfer/knowledge transfer, working outside the academic sector, and marketing of academic expertise.
Working methods:
The training consists of independent studying online (starting from early October), five on-site learning days consisting of expert lectures and/or a workshop session as well as independent studying. On-site learning days are organized at 12:15-16:15 on 5.11.2025, 12.11.2025, 19.11.2025, 26.11.2025 and 3.12.2025.
Selected participants will be provided with a detailed programme including suggested online study periods and programme of the on-site learning days.
Further information:
At the University of Turku: Kirsi Peura (kirsi.peura@utu.fi), The University of Turku,
At Åbo Akademi University: Camilla Pelo (camilla.pelo@abo.fi), Åbo Akademi University, Research services.
The BER Training is organized as part of the UNICOM+ Uniting Companies, Employers and International University Talents project (2025-2027) co-funded by the European Union. See further information: www.utu.fi/unicom.