INNOVA Europe Summit 2026: Student Pitch Competition Grand Final

11 schools. One stage. Bold ideas for a more responsible future.
What happens when some of Europe’s most promising student and alumni founders come together to pitch ideas for real-world change?
On 5 June, Aalto University will host the INNOVA Europe Summit 2026 Student Pitch Competition Grand Final at Marsio, Saastamoinen Foundation Stage.
The Grand Final brings together selected teams from 11 INNOVA Europe partner institutions across Europe. Each team has earned its place through internal selections or competitions organised by their home university.
Now, they will step onto a European stage to pitch early-stage ideas connected to three United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
🌱 Climate Action, SDG 13
♻️ Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 12
🤝 Reduced Inequalities, SDG 10
This is more than a pitch competition. It is a chance to hear how emerging founders are thinking about sustainability, inclusion, responsibility and impact, and how universities can support entrepreneurship that responds to today’s most pressing challenges.
Expect an afternoon of:
✨ fresh ideas from emerging founders
🎤 student pitches from across Europe
💬 sharp questions and conversations
🌍 new perspectives on responsible entrepreneurship
🤝 opportunities to connect with people interested in startups, sustainability and innovation
The competition is part of the INNOVA Europe Summit, the coalition’s annual in-person gathering. This year, the Summit takes place at Aalto University in Espoo, following previous editions in Milan, Paris and Berlin.
Programme
12:15–12:30
Welcome to the INNOVA Europe Summit
Kristiina Mäkelä (Provost, Aalto University)
12:30–13:30
Panel discussion with Finnish entrepreneurial ecosystem experts
Featuring Noora Saksa (CEO, Slush), Sarita Runeberg (CEO, Maria 01), Kia Kanninen (Operational Lead, Founders House Helsinki), Matti Paavonen (Chief Economist, Sitra), Youssef Zad, Chief Economist (Finnish Startup Community), Riikka Loisamo (CEO, The Shortcut)
13:30–17:30
INNOVA Europe Student Pitch Competition Grand Final

Learn more about INNOVA Europe here: https://www.innova-europe.com/
The Grand Final brings together teams from: Aalto University (Finland), EDHEC Business School (France), Erasmus University Rotterdam (Netherlands), ESMT Berlin (Germany), ETH Zurich (Switzerland), IE Business School (Spain), KSE Graduate Business School (Ukraine), London Business School (UK), POLIMI Graduate School of Management (Italy), UCD Michael Smurfit Business School (Ireland), Universität Wien (Austria).
Please register by 2 June, as places are limited.