According to René, researchers often face very similar challenges when starting out in entrepreneurship – a lack of knowledge about funding opportunities, complex business models, the need for a strong team, and uncertainty about what investors are really looking for.

What Do Investors Really Look For?

Funding a science-based idea differs from traditional startup entrepreneurship. These ideas are often technically more complex, require longer development time and more capital, which also means greater risk. At the same time, they offer the opportunity to create something truly significant and new — something that could become a trailblazer in its field.

When research results begin to show potential for practical application, it's worth taking a moment to pause and ask: who really needs this? What specific problem does it solve? Would it create enough value for someone to be willing to pay for it? Only then should you start thinking about how and with whom to further develop the idea — whether by creating a spin-off company, collaborating with an existing organization, or licensing the technology.

An investor isn’t just looking for an idea scribbled on a notepad — they’re looking for a team, a plan, and a direction. They want to see the potential for the idea to reach the market, backed by people who are committed to making it happen. It’s crucial to think through how the research outcome can be turned into a working solution.

A Successful Startup Is Built by a Team, Not One Person

Being involved in entrepreneurship doesn’t mean a researcher has to do everything alone. Some are well-suited to lead, while others feel more confident focusing on the technology or core development work. What matters is understanding where your strengths lie and finding people who can complement the rest. Alone you might move faster, but together you’ll go further. “To start with, it’s enough to find the right co-founder—someone who can focus on building the team and managing the company, while the researcher can concentrate on scientific and technological development,” noted René Jõeleht.

A Supportive Team Starts at TalTech

TalTech helps researchers bring their ideas from the lab to the real world. Technology Transfer Manager René Jõeleht explains that TalTech’s Technology Transfer Office can offer support even in the early stages of development.

TalTech provides researchers with guidance every step of the way:

• Assessing the idea and its market potential;
• Developing a business model and intellectual property strategy;
• Supporting team building and creating partnerships.

A space to reflect on ideas, experiment, and receive honest feedback is especially valuable for those with no prior experience in entrepreneurship. The goal of TalTech’s Technology Transfer team is to help researchers move forward with their ideas—so that great concepts don’t remain stuck in the lab.

Tech Entrepreneur 6: Funding – When You Have an Idea but Don’t Know Where to Start

On May 15, Tech Entrepreneur 6: Funding will take place at TalTech, focusing on how to take a science-based idea to investors. The training is part of the broader Tech Entrepreneur series that supports researchers on their journey from idea to market. The workshop will cover practical steps for securing funding — what types of funding exist, how to plan your budget and pricing model, what investors are looking for, and how to prepare a convincing pitch. “The training will also address topics related to company ownership and equity distribution, which are crucial to get right in the early stages to enable future investment,” added René.

The workshop will be led by Jaan Kokk (SuperAngel), with additional insights from Kristjan Tiik (Efenco).

The training will be held in English and is primarily intended for PhD students, researchers, research group members, and TalTech staff interested in commercializing their scientific results or ideas. Prior registration via TalTech’s intranet is required.

If you have an idea but don’t know where to start — or how to approach investors — this workshop is a great place to begin. You’ll gain knowledge, practical tools, and the confidence to take the next steps. 

Every Big Idea Starts with the First Step

Don’t wait for the perfect moment to arrive. Explore, ask for advice, and evaluate each step—this is how an idea moves from the lab into the real world.

Contact: René Jõeleht, Technology Transfer Manager, rene.joeleht@taltech.ee