The Aalto MBA and Executive DBA programmes offer insights and capabilities for leadership and future decision-making. The Aalto MBA programme is designed to support participants’ individual development needs by fostering their growth as leaders and individuals. The Aalto Executive DBA is a doctoral programme in business administration for experienced individuals with considerable managerial experience. Saastamoinen Foundation supports MBA studies by issuing grants.
Aalto MBA
The Aalto MBA programme is a journey of transformation. It is a life changing programme for experienced professionals and managers who want to reach their full potential and become business leaders with an innovative and sustainable mindset. The programme also strengthens participants’ strategic thinking and understanding of different industries and organisations’ needs for change, thereby developing their ability to act as change agents within their own organisations. Saastamoinen Foundation supports MBA studies by issuing grants.
Find out more about the Aalto MBA programme and application process here.
Experiences from Saastamoinen Foundation MBA scholars
Natalia Vyslovska, Vaisala Oyj (2022):
“Even though I clearly feel that my biggest contribution is yet to be done, I can already now apply received knowledge to my work: organisationally, in people relationships, strategic thinking and, of course, sustainable approach to work. Previously, I’d be narrowly performing my daily tasks, now I’ve learned to widen and broaden my view to see the bigger picture, prepare for uncertainties and use them as opportunities. I’m genuinely interested in setting a sustainable way of thinking, and through trust and cooperation, I encourage my co-workers in other functions to do so, too. Also, I strongly believe that there’s plenty to improve in the ways of working and managing people to create a happier workplace. By focusing on everyone’s strengths, adopting a transparent working culture, being open to innovation and communicating this vision clearly, we can achieve substantial results in business, climate change mitigation, and improving the way our society is working. ”
Aku Wilenius, Caidio (2018):
“The MBA programmes produce highly promising start-up businesses. For Aku Wilenius, the Aalto MBA paved the way to entrepreneurship. Developing a startup whilst undertaking MBA studies allows students the opportunity to put everything they are learning straight into practice.”
Wilenius’s company’s first pilot projects have since been launched in Finland and China.
Kevin Eboigbodin, Orion Diagnostica Oy (2017):
“Science is naturally the bedrock and foundation of creating any drug or diagnostic test. But at the end of the day, someone needs to buy your product. Marketing, finance, HR – all these are needed to achieve this end. Once you advance to a leadership position, it is important to step outside your comfort zone and broaden your perspective quite a lot.”
Jaakko Isotalo. Photo: Veikko Somerpuro.
Aalto Executive DBA scholarship
The Aalto Executive Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a doctoral programme in business administration for experienced individuals with considerable managerial experience.
As part of their studies, Aalto Executive DBA students write a DBA thesis (180 ECTS credits) that typically has strong linkages to business and managerial practice. The DBA thesis combines cutting-edge academic expertise and independent thinking. The thesis work is overseen by distinguished Aalto University professors who are recognised as leading experts in their respective fields.
Saastamoinen Foundation supports one DBA student in their studies approximately every three years.
Find out more about the Aalto Executive DBA scholarship here.
Saastamoinen Foundation first Aalto DBA scholarship for DBA Dissertation: Accelerators Can Support Startups in Combining Sustainability and Growth by Jaakko Isotalo
Isotalo’s research delved into how ac-celerators can accelerate sustainability impacts in startups, blending sustainability with growth objectives in various ways. His DBA dissertation seeked to advance the conversation on responsibility within the investment sector. The research focused on ac-celerator short programs designed to speed up the development of early-stage startups. Isotalo explored different accelerators, some focused-on impact and others not, to understand their mechanisms for enhancing the impact of port-folio companies.
Isotalo’s work aimed to support responsible investment discussions by offering frameworks that can be used by professional investors to influence company growth with a focus on sustainability. He highlighted how accelerators can help startups manage internal tensions that might limit the creation of combined so-cial and financial value. His theoretical model, applicable in accelerator environ-ments, could serve as an example for investors to apply in their practices.
As the twelfth dissertation in Aalto University’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program, Isotalo’s work contributes both to academic understanding and practical application in the field of business acceleration and sustainable innovation. His research encourages the development of new leadership approaches and policies that support business renewal, innovation, and responsible investment strategies in Finland and beyond.
Read more about the dissertation here.