LUT Blossom 2026 was created as a business growth event to help research and commercial collaboration translate into real-world impact. Organized by LUT University for the very first time on Friday, April 10 in Lahti, Finland, the event gathered more than 1,400 attendees from academia, industry and government.
One of the main topics of focus was how to keep the EU, and particularly Finland, competitive in the face of increasing global pressures. Questions raised for debate included how to bring new ideas to the market, how to help companies take bigger risks – and how to secure the funding required to support them.
The Switch not only had a stand at the event but also took the stageas part of the energy transition theme, sharing insights from our journey in developing and manufacturing high-speed electric machines – from early research to scalable industrial solutions.
As a successful collaboration story between LUT and The Switch, our joint work in creating and commercializing The Switch solid-rotor motors is now celebrating 30 years with LUT.
The Switch specialists included:
Markus Varonen, Product Engineer Solid-Rotor Machines
Panu Kurronen, Chief Technology Officer
Additionally, Panu Kurronen, participated in LUT’s panel discussion: Blossoming businesses – brains or brawn? The panelists discussed current industry talent needs and brainstormed on the university’s role in helping to develop the talent required to drive business growth and strengthen Finland’s future competitiveness.
From left: Markus Varonen, Dean Olli Pyrhönen, Panu Kurronen and Jussi Sopanen, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, LUT School of Energy Systems
Read more about LUT Blossom: LUT Blossom 2026 | LUT University