French President Emmanuel Macron visited Aalto University

30.08.2018

He was introduced to student-driven entrepreneurship, research innovations and research-based companies.

President Macron received a scarf made from old jeans with Ioncell-F technology. Photo: Aalto University/Mikko Raskinen

President Emmanuel Macron visited Aalto University with Finland’s Prime Minister Juha Sipilä on 30 August as part of his two-day state visit to Finland. The visit was hosted by Ilkka Niemelä, the President of Aalto University.

The programme at Startup Sauna included student-driven entrepreneurship activities, research-based companies Supercell and Zenrobotics, research innovations, like Ioncell F technology, as well as an augmented reality climbing wall, a novel form of physical exercise combining technology and game design. President Macron, who wants to make France ’a startup nation’, was curious to hear about the origins of the innovations.  

At the end of the visit, French students discussed their studies at Aalto University with President Macron.