Aaltoes (Aalto Entrepreneurship Society) is Europe's largest and most active student-run entrepreneurship society. Our mission is to foster the entrepreneurial spirit and create a thriving startup ecosystem within Aalto University and the broader Finnish community.
Founded in 2009, we've grown from a small group of passionate students into a cornerstone of the Nordic startup ecosystem, helping launch numerous successful startups and initiatives that have shaped the entrepreneurial landscape in Finland.
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Founded by our alumni
Why and how was Aaltoes founded?
Aaltoes was founded in 2009 by a group of students who felt something was missing at Finnish universities: a real, practical support system for people who wanted to build ambitious companies. At the time, entrepreneurship was not yet seen as a serious, encouraged path inside student life. So students built what they wished existed: an open, student-run community where you can meet other builders, learn by doing, and turn ideas into action. Over time, that community became a platform for launching initiatives and projects that shape the wider Finnish startup ecosystem.
Who founded Aaltoes?
Aaltoes was founded by a group of students from the universities that later became Aalto University (technology, business, and design). They came together around a shared belief: that students should have the community, confidence, and practical opportunities to build companies with global ambition.