Articles by Killu Leet

Killu Leet • 31. January 2024

Start Up Day, Tartu 2024: How our food affects the health of the world and why we need to change it

A glimpse of deeptech insights impacting our food systems, Start Up Day, Tartu 2024. In response to the pressing challenges of a growing global population, climate change, and resource depletion, biotechnology emerges as a crucial force in reshaping our food... Read more

Killu Leet • 23. January 2024

Fusion of Innovation: ÄIO, Valio and VTT’s Visionary Partnership

Once again, visionary initiatives are paving the way for a sustainable future. One such stride is the innovative approach to combatting food waste through upcycling solutions and fermentation techniques. ÄIO’s collaboration with Finland’s foremost food exporter and largest milk processor,... Read more

Killu Leet • 7. December 2023

NEXPO – Exploring the Future at the Intersection of Green Tech and Food Innovation

In a world where sustainability is not just a buzzword but a way of life, attending NEXPO – the recent greentech conference held Nov 13-17, 2023 in Tallinn was a glimpse into the future we all hope to see. Themed... Read more

Killu Leet • 23. November 2023

Revolutionizing Our Food Systems: A Groundbreaking Partnership between TFTAK and ÄIO

In an era where sustainability is at the forefront of global concerns, innovative solutions are emerging to reshape our food systems and reduce their environmental impact. One such groundbreaking effort is the collaboration between Food And Fermentation Technology Development Center... Read more

Killu Leet • 26. September 2023

ÄIO Pioneers Sustainable Alternatives in Oil and Fat Production

Estonian-based ÄIO secures funding to develop an innovation centre to revolutionise the food, cosmetic and chemical industries with a low carbon approach to oil and fat production. Estonian-based startup ÄIO, a pioneer in sustainable fat and oil production through fermentation,... Read more

Killu Leet • 26. June 2023

Exploring the Future of Food: Novel Food Masterclass with Prof. Hans Verhagen

Imagine stepping into a room filled with the aroma of culinary curiosity and mission driven entrepreneurs and policymakers, where innovative food ideas and regulatory frameworks take center stage. Recently, Estonia’s agri-food innovation network, METK, in collaboration with ÄIO, achieved a... Read more

Killu Leet • 29. May 2023

ÄIO triumphs at Latitude59 securing 150k from EstBAN and Tera VC

Latitude59, a prominent European startup and technology conference, recently witnessed an extraordinary triumph as ÄIO once again emerged victorious in the highly competitive pitching contest. Almost 400 startups from 61 countries applied for Latitude59’s this year. ÄIO secured €150k to... Read more

Killu Leet • 18. May 2023

ÄIO and Fibenol Collaborate to Pilot Biomanufacturing of High-value Microbial Oils

Fibenol, a company that converts residues into lignin and two types of sugars, has formed a strategic partnership with emerging biotechnology startup ÄIO to create a reliable alternative to traditionally produced fats and vegetable oils. Using ÄIO’s technology, Fibenol’s wood... Read more

Killu Leet • 1. May 2023

Swedbank visits ÄIO: A new age start-up producing healthy and reliable oil alternatives

Swedbank visited ÄIO, a start-up that is making the food industry more sustainable! At last year’s sTARTUp Day, we were recognised by Swedbank with a €10 000 prize. Take a look how producing healthy fats and oils from agricultural and... Read more

Killu Leet • 9. March 2023

Estonian Public Broadcast ETV visited our lab and showed ÄIO’s innovation in the nature show Osoon

It was a great pleasure to welcome Osoon’s team in our lab to capture ÄIO’s everyday life and how we are bringing the lab scale innovations into real production. The topic of the show was how the current side- and... Read more

Killu Leet • 21. February 2023

Co-Founder of ÄIO, Petri-Jaan Lahtvee named “Founder of the Year” by Cleantech Estonia

ÄIO‘s goal is to reverse-engineer our food systems through innovative biotechnology. Our Co-Founder, Petri-Jaan Lahtvee sees great potential for science in business. Just recently, he received recognition from Cleantech Estonia for his efforts in floodlighting ÄIO’s technology to create more... Read more

Killu Leet • 9. February 2023

Estonian start-up raised 1 M€ euros to create alternative oils and fats

The company ÄIO, founded in January last year by TalTech bioengineers Petri-Jaan Lahtvee and Nemailla Bonturi, produces edible fats and oils from agricultural and wood industry side-streams using results from years of biotech research. The company’s goal is to make... Read more

Killu Leet • 27. January 2023

Intorducing ÄIO – TalTech researchers have found a way to make food from sawdust

Sawdust makes up a large part of manufacturing waste in Estonia. So what can we do with it? Nemailla Bonturi and Petri-Jaan Lahtvee, founders of the TalTech spin-off company ÄIO, found an answer to the question. Bonturi, who comes from... Read more

Killu Leet • 31. August 2022

Start-Up Day 2022 in Tartu was a success!

ÄIO is gaining momentum! Hell yeah! TOP 5 in the bag from Start-Up Day 2022 pitching competition powered by EstBAN (Estonian Business Awards Network). ÄIO received some valuable awards. Thank you #Swedbank and #Sorainen for much appreciated legal services! ÄIO... Read more