Dr Heli Valtna is a physicist (PhD) and innovation policy researcher at the University of Tartu, focusing on deep tech ecosystems and startup success factors in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Telecommunications. She is the academic lead for the Creative Destruction Lab mentoring programme and a deep tech venture mentor.

Her interdisciplinary interests span systems thinking, innovation ecosystems, management psychology, photonics, and 3D imaging, alongside a commitment to physical and mental well-being.