Breaking Walls in Kuopio: A Look Back at FWL Eastern Finland 2026

On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, approximately 100 participants gathered at Novapolis, Kuopio for the second edition of Falling Walls Lab Eastern Finland. The event brought together students, researchers, and ecosystem actors to explore innovative ideas across disciplines — from health and construction to agriculture.

The program featured 14 research-based pitches, two keynote presentations, and a panel discussion focusing on how to turn academic research into real-world impact. Participants also had the opportunity to hear firsthand insights from a startup journey originating from university research, as well as perspectives from the investment side on what venture capitalists look for in deep tech companies.

A Growing Platform for Research-Based Innovation

Falling Walls Lab Eastern Finland was organized for the second time in Kuopio, in strong collaboration with its partners. The event was mainly funded by the KAUTE Foundation and supported by key partners including Business Kuopio, UEF, Business Joensuu, and Novapolis, along with Nostetta Ventures, Hub Panostamo, Business Center North Savo, and FiBAN.

This year, the event received 20 applications from 7 cities across Finland (Oulu, Tampere, Turku, Helsinki, Espoo, Joensuu, and Kuopio). After a competitive selection process, 14 finalists were invited to pitch their ideas live on stage on June 9^th in Kuopio.

A multidisciplinary jury from academia, business, and investment carefully evaluated all pitches, and selected the following top three presenters:

• 1st Place: Saku Reunanen, University of Helsinki
• 2nd Place: Teddy Tran, Aalto University
• 3rd Place: Fahimeh Malekisheikhabadi, University of Eastern Finland

Presenting research on stage is already a challenge, especially when addressing a diverse audience from different disciplines. Adding the requirement to communicate a complex idea in just three minutes makes it even more demanding.

This year’s winner, Saku Reunanen, impressed the jury with his pitch in drug discovery and development.

The issue Saku sought to address is that, although levodopa has long been the standard treatment, less than half of each dose actually reaches the brain. This is largely because gut microbes break down the drug before it can be absorbed and become effective.

His proposed solution was DOPAGuard, an oral, brain‑targeted, non‑antibacterial small‑molecule that works as a dual inhibitor of the key enzymes responsible for levodopa degradation — peripheral DDC and gut bacterial TyrDC. By blocking both sources of presystemic loss, it enables more levodopa to reach the brain, resulting in higher, more stable plasma levels and improved treatment effectiveness.

Saku will now represent Finland at the Falling Walls Lab Global Finale in Berlin in November, competing alongside 100 finalists from around the world.

Falling Walls Lab Eastern Finland 2026 jury:

• Riikka Pakarinen, Finnish Startup Community
• Pia Erkinheimo, FiBAN Angel investor
• Samu Lehtonen, Marginum Oy
• Mikko Järvilehto, Business Joensuu Oy
• Jaan Praks, Aalto University

Program Highlights and Key Insights

The event opened with inspiring reflections from last year’s finalists Arash and Nithin (UEF), who shared how their research has evolved since participating in Falling Walls Lab and what the experience meant for their professional journey. Their insights highlighted the long-term value of stepping onto a platform like this.

The event was officially opened by Timo Antikainen, Director of Economic Development at the City of Kuopio, who emphasized the importance of innovation as a key driver of regional development and prosperity.

Two keynote speakers complemented the program

Samu Lehtonen, Marginum Oy, shared the journey of translating academic research into a successful medtech company, highlighting how innovation can directly improve patient outcomes.

Anssi Uimonen, Nordic Science Investments, provided valuable insights into the investment landscape, explaining what investors look for in early-stage deep tech startups.

Panel Discussion: Driving Societal Impact

A new addition to this year’s program was a panel discussion on research commercialization and societal impact.

The discussion explored several key questions, including the barriers that prevent strong research ideas from becoming real-world solutions, how researchers can recognize and develop the business potential of early-stage ideas, and what investors look for in science-based (deep tech) startups. It also addressed whether entrepreneurship can coexist with academic careers, and how universities, cities, companies, and investors can collaborate more effectively to transform research into real societal impact.

Strengthening the Ecosystem for Innovation

The event concluded with closing remarks by Minna Hendolin, Director of Impact at the University of Eastern Finland, who highlighted the importance of continuing initiatives like Falling Walls Lab. She emphasized the need for broader participation from universities and stronger collaboration across institutions to bring more research ideas onto the stage and support researchers in finding their path toward creating real societal impact.

Creating a Platform for Impact

Falling Walls Lab Eastern Finland 2026 demonstrated that innovative research needs a stage. It showed how collaboration between universities, cities, businesses, and investors can create pathways for research to move beyond the laboratory and generate real societal impact. The event reinforced a clear message:

Researchers must be encouraged — and supported — to bring their ideas forward, engage with broader audiences, and contribute to solving real-world challenges.

Author: Parastoo Jalili

Photos: Jerin Thamby