28–30 January, TalTech will once again be present at sTARTUp Day, the most startup-minded business festival in the Baltics - this time with a particularly clear focus. While previous years highlighted artificial intelligence and health technologies, in 2026 TalTech turns its attention to defence and airspace security.
This year, TalTech’s Startup Centre brings the university’s most recent and notable technological achievements to festival visitors. The showcase features both developments related to defence and security as well as promising TalTech-born deep-tech startups, highlighting the breadth of the university’s research and development activities.
Visitors will have the opportunity to meet key players from TalTech and Estonia’s deep-tech ecosystem and explore solutions connected to defence, autonomous systems, airspace security, and rapidly advancing research-driven technologies:
- C2Grid – transforms battlefield footage into near real-time 3D models, fusing multi-sensor data and automating threat detection to enhance situational awareness, support mission planning, and accelerate decision-making.
- Cogniflow – fast, accessible droplet-assisted design cell factories.
- Ragnarok Robotics – develops modular and practical robotic solutions that enable rapid deployment, easy maintenance, and flexible adaptation in real defence and field conditions.
- Drooniklubi (Drone Club) – builds drones and organises drone-related events and competitions, focusing primarily on defence and dual-use sectors with a strong emphasis on research and development.
- HexTech – develops a scalable drone detection and monitoring network that enables real-time identification and tracking of drones and their pilots in both civilian and defence contexts, supporting airspace safety and situational awareness.
- Startup Garage - supports ambitious students in developing bold ideas into functioning startups by offering hands-on programmes and mentorship.
- Embedded AI Research Lab – develops energy-efficient embedded AI solutions for reliable localization, navigation, and environmental perception in GNSS-denied and complex operational environments.
The booth offers a hands-on look at how science, engineering, and real-world experience come together in a field where precision and reliability are critical.
Seminar: Securing the Skies: Drone Detection & Defence
One of the key highlights of TalTech’s programme is the seminar “Securing the Skies: Drone Detection & Defence”, taking place on 29 January at 13:00.
At the seminar, HexTech will take the stage to share their journey as a deep-tech startup, their research-driven developments, and their perspective on the future of airspace intelligence and situational awareness.
The event is designed for everyone interested in drone detection, airspace intelligence, defence technologies, and the future of integrated airspace.
You can read more about HexTech in the blog post
Where Science, Business, and Security Meet
TalTech’s presence at sTARTUp Day 2026 highlights the university’s role as a connector between deep tech and defence innovation. It is a place where:
- researchers present their latest developments,
- companies find collaboration partners and application opportunities, and
- investors gain insight into the solutions shaping tomorrow’s security landscape.
If you are interested in how next-generation defence and airspace security solutions are created, TalTech’s booth and seminar at sTARTUp Day are the place to be.