Are you ready to bridge the gap between research-based ideas and value-creating solutions?
This course equips you with the essential knowledge, tools and mindset to understand the business landscape around research-based health and life science solutions – and to make a direct impact by applying that knowledge to existing commercialisation project cases from the SPARK Finland network.
Students may be eligible to earn 5 ETCs upon completion of the course. A certificate of completion is also available upon request.
In today’s global market, it is not enough to develop great technology. To bring solutions to the market and ultimately to end users, you must understand how to build a compelling, value-creating business case. This course helps you take that first step by enabling you to:
This course is a good fit for those who want to understand how research translates into real-world solutions, gain practical business skills, and explore future career opportunities in the health and life science innovation sector!
1. Opening sessions (March 18 & March 26 & April 1, in-person sessions)
The first two sessions are held in Helsinki/Espoo for you to get started and get to know other peers and project cases.
2. Video lectures and assignments
Learn key aspects of the business landscape at your own pace, through weekly video lectures delivered by top industry experts in Finland and from abroad, covering topics such as design thinking, market understanding, product development, regulation, IPR, and funding.
3. Working with real-life projects (meetings to be decided with project representatives)
Apply your learning to ongoing commercialisation projects, gain hands-on experience and insight into transforming research into practical solutions. This is a great opportunity to connect with industry professionals and a possibility to open doors to exciting future career directions.
4. Team collaboration
As part of working on your assigned project case, you’ll work with your own multidisciplinary teams at Pre-SPARK to solve problems, share ideas, and strengthen learning through collaboration.
It is not required to have a team prior to joining Pre-SPARK. We will assign teams based on your preference at the start of the program.
5. Weekly check-in with SPARK Finland managers (Wednesdays & Thursdays, online team meetings)
Receive guidance and reflection on your weekly progress with SPARK Finland manager. These are held as online meetings on Wednesday and/or Thursday – please take this into consideration when applying.
6. Final presentations & deliverables (May 20, in-person session)
Showcase your project work and learning journey, get advice on future opportunities, and build connections with the wider SPARK Finland network.
For more questions about the Pre-SPARK program, please reach out to My Nguyen (my.nguyen@sparkfinland.fi).
Are you ready to strengthen your business development capability for projects in health and life sciences?
Apply now and explore what it takes to turn research ideas into value-creating solutions!
Note that we have a limited amount of study seats available. Please apply only if you can commit the necessary time to actively participate in the program.
In Spring 2026, Pre-SPARK Health Concept Discovery Program is organized by SPARK Finland, and supported the Master’s Programme in Pharmaceutical Research, Development and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki.
(To be updated in Spring 2026.)
Upon completion of the program, a certificate of completion is available upon request. For student participants, it is optional to earn up to 5 ECTS after completing the program, if you wish to include Pre-SPARK in your study transcript and if your degree program approves it. In some cases, the credits are not registered automatically. It is advised to check with your degree program beforehand if the credits can be included into the degree, under what section, and if there is specific enrollment instructions to be followed.
Please read below for more details on applying for study credits:
University of Helsinki
After confirming your study place with our team, you can enroll in Sisu using the course code ‘MPHARM-019 Pre-SPARK Health Concept Discovery Program’. The registration period is between Jan 12 – March 11, 2025. The credits will be registered upon fully participating and completing the course.
Aalto University
Please contact your supervisor or study coordinator to discuss and get their approval to earn credits from Pre-SPARK. We do not guarantee that credits can be included in all degrees. Therefore, it is advisable to check with your study program beforehand.
Doctoral students can read more instructions regarding Independently completed individual studies within doctoral degree. For further inquiries, contact University-level Doctoral education services (UDES): udes@aalto.fi.
Do I need to have an idea or ongoing project before joining the program?
No. In Spring 2026, you will form groups with other participants and work together to improve existing commercialization projects. If you have an idea that you would like to develop further, feel free to do so on your own, separate from your participation at Pre-SPARK.
Who can participate in the course?
In Spring 2026, the course is open to Master’s and Doctoral students, researchers, clinicians, and scientists University of Helsinki and Aalto University. If you have previously participated in other Pre-SPARK course, you are not eligible to join this course.
Do I need a background in health and life sciences to join?
No prior background knowledge or experience is required. The only requirement is a strong interest in health and life sciences and product development.
Do I need a team to join the program? How are teams formed?
You don’t need a team to join. At the beginning of the program, we will ask for your preference and background, and assign you into teams based on this information.
What is expected from participants during the course?
We expect all participants to complete all video lectures, tasks and assignments, while working actively with their assigned project teams. You are also expected to join the weekly check-in meetings with SPARK Finland team to update your progress and receive support as needed. By the end of the program, you are expected to deliver a final team presentation on your findings and learning journey. In addition, you will provide a written report to your assigned project case.
How is confidential information handled in the course?
We ask that you do not share any confidential information related to SPARK project cases outside the program, either during or after its completion. We also strongly recommend discussing specific confidentiality guidelines directly with your assigned project case owners.