• You may register for more than one option, but please make sure that the times do not overlap.
• The number of spots is limited, so register as soon as possible!
• Registration is open until November 12. If spots are still available, it will also be possible to register on the day of the event, November 13.
• If a session is already full, it will be indicated on the form. 
• You will receive a reminder email the day before the event, including the exact location for gathering. 

REGISTER FOR A WORKSHOP OR LAB TOUR

We will introduce the development activities and collaboration opportunities of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. The tour will include visits to laboratories covering prototyping, mass production, quality control, reverse engineering, as well as production simulation, automation, and optimization. Participants will be introduced to the capabilities of Protolab, the Autonomous Vehicles Lab, and the Flexible Manufacturing and Robotics Demo Center.

We will explore how wood and other natural materials can be mechanically processed into innovative, high-value, fire-resistant materials. Our focus will be on valorizing low-quality wood, wood waste, recycled wood, and damaged wood into new high-value products. You will see laboratories and pilot equipment used to develop new veneer-based products, glued laminated timber, CLT panels, and other wood panels and structures. This is a great opportunity to think about how collaboration between science and industry could benefit your company.

Discover how biochemical processing and lignin extraction open new routes for creating bio-based products – such as biochemicals or aviation fuels. You’ll visit lab setups developing microbial and enzymatic processes and lignin application technologies. Perfect for companies interested in turning wood by-products into value-added products.

We’ll explore how wood and textile waste can be turned into biopolymers and new materials for circular bioeconomy applications. You’ll see equipment used for developing cellulose-based textiles and other sustainable products. A source of inspiration for companies looking to create value from renewable resources.

Experience story of AS Valdek Development Manager Viljar Valdek with examples.

What you will learn:

• How various collaboration projects between sheet metal manufacturing company Valdek AS and TalTech researchers were carried out to improve both intralogistics and production processes using AI technologies.
• How innovation is an inseparable part of the daily operations in a manufacturing company.
• How digitalisation serves as a driving force for maintaining competitiveness.
• What benefits a company gains when it seeks out and implements novel technologies.
• What AS Valdek’s experiences have been when working together with researchers.

Do you have a science-based idea with market potential? Come and learn how to evaluate, develop, and fund it. 

In this workshop, you will get a practical overview of:

• How to launch a science-based startup – from the business model to market validation
• Available funding options – grants, investors, and European programs

We’ll exchange experiences and discuss how different people can come together to form a cohesive and strong team. What roles are essential for a well-rounded team, and how can we keep a high-performing team riding the wave of success?

This workshop will help you understand key types of intellectual property relevant to collaborations between industry and academia and provide some practical advice on developing an IP strategy that will support the collaboration from outset.

Outline:

• Overview of types of IP. Focus on patents/know-how.
• Patentability. What type of innovations can be patented and what are the requirements for obtaining a patent (novelty/inventive step etc.).
• Commercial considerations. Focus on patents vs. know-how/trade secrets and balancing the interests of all parties (commercial sensitivity vs. publication).
• The patent application process. How industry and university partners can work together to effectively manage patent applications. Considerations on timings and costs.
• Inventorship and ownership. Common forms of collaboration and ownership considerations in different scenarios. Common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
• Developing an effective IP management strategy in collaborative research projects: a patent attorney’s perspective. Thoughts on effective ‘invention harvesting’ and management of IP.

Join the IP War-room strategy game!

Tackle real-world IP challenges through a gamified board experience.
From licensing decisions to infringement risks, participants tested different strategies in a risk-free environment – while building valuable connections with peers.

Working as groups, You will play  the parts of founders in a high tech start-up business, collaborating with university researchers and TTOs, working through the challenges of prototyping, dealing with sectoral regulations, coping with internal and external pressures, handling accusations of infringement, driving marketing campaigns… and ultimately successfully attracting big deals and significant customers. 

The seminar provides a space for discussion on the next steps of the circular economy in Estonia and more broadly in the Baltic and Nordic regions. The goal is to gather ideas and expectations for integrating cooperation, science, and entrepreneurship in order to shape a shared regional direction for the development of the circular economy. Participants will have the opportunity to share their perspectives on where the next wave of the circular economy should head – which topics, partners, and actions are key to moving forward.