Nordic Catalyst® is a technology transfer and innovation management company founded by Dr. Saara Inkinen in 2018. Nordic Catalyst is located in Austria and it works with an international client base consisting of both research organisations and companies. Working with a network of trusted experts in larger initiatives.

Personal profile of the Founder and Manager of Nordic Catalyst:

Saara Inkinen, D.Sc. (Tech.), M.Sc. (Tech.)

I am a technology transfer and innovation management specialist based in Vienna, Austria. I originally come from Finland and had my first position in the chemical industry already in 2000. I have been working with R&D, technology transfer, and innovation management since 2005. I am passionate about accelerating the development and commercialisation of scientific technologies, and it is my mission to facilitate the transfer of science to business. What ultimately motivates me is the positive environmental, social, and societal impact that new technologies can help us create.

In 2018, I founded Nordic Catalyst to provide focused and tailored support for research organisations and young companies in commercialization and IP exploitation of research based inventions and ideas. Prior to founding Nordic Catalyst, I held positions with organization-wide responsibilities in technology transfer and IP management at a research organisation focusing on molecular medicine in Austria (2016-2017) and at a Finnish university (2012-2016). In 2015-2016 I also coordinated the funding and operations of a research institute of a Finnish university foundation, in addition to participating in organisational strategic development. I have a D.Sc. degree in Technical Polymer Chemistry and a M.Sc. degree in Chemical Engineering and Industrial Economics. I have also conducted a postdoctoral visit at a US business school with selected business studies.

I enthusiastically participate in international initiatives related to technology transfer and innovation and am currently an active member in the Industry, University & Government Transactions Committee (IUGT) of the Licensing Executives International (LESI) as well as in the Community of Practice for the Smart use of IP of the European Commission. I am also the founder of Finnovation Champions, a national network connecting the technology transfer professionals or all the Finnish universities and public research organisations in 2012-2017 and was a board member at FINNCHAM Austria, the Finnish-Austrian Chamber of Commerce, in 2019-2020.

For more details on Dr. Inkinen’s education and professional experience, please have a look at her LinkedIn profile.

RECENT INTERVIEWS

Podcast Interview for the LSG2G network by Christian Soschner, recorded on 24 September 2021. Talking about what technology transfer is, how the field has evolved in the recent times, and what the future may look like.

Video Interview in the “Making it in Austria” YouTube channel by Adela Mehic-Dzanic, recorded on 28 September 2021. Talking about technology transfer, my background and how my career path led me to become an entrepreneur in Austria.

Podcast Interview (link to Spotify, available also on other podcast platforms) about Innovation Management and the Future of Technology Transfer, 25 November 2020, BCC Research “You Should Know This” podcast series by Clara Mouawad.