On 14 May, the TalTech Student House hosted the fifth edition of TalTech Sustainable Futures: Pitching Day, where student teams presented solutions to real-world challenges ranging from health technologies and sustainable construction to AI-powered platforms and startups. Teams from both the EuroTeQ Collider challenge-based learning courses and the TalTech Startup Centre’s IGNITER programme took the stage.
This year, a total of 30 teams participated in the event. Collider projects focused on sustainability and European societal challenges, while IGNITER teams concentrated on validating business ideas, developing prototypes, and testing market potential.
The event strongly reflects TalTech’s development strategy, which emphasizes combining learning, entrepreneurship, research-based approaches, and societal impact. Through challenge-based learning, collaboration with companies, and interdisciplinary teamwork, students develop solutions that contribute to a more sustainable and innovative future.
An experienced jury evaluated impact, feasibility, and future potential:
- Henri Olavi Suomalainen (TalTech / EuroTeQ)
- Olga Luštšik (EstBAN)
- Jörgen Martin (Swedbank)
- Tim Vaino (Practica VC)
- Angelina Mölder (Svara AI)
EuroTeQ Collider winners will represent TalTech at EuroTeQaThon in Denmark
The EuroTeQ Collider projects were evaluated based on the depth of problem analysis, contribution to sustainability, feasibility, and scalability in a European context. The jury selected three teams to represent TalTech at the international EuroTeQaThon competition, taking place in June at the Technical University of Denmark. Each winning team received €600 in prize money.
The Collider projects were developed within spring semester problem-, project-, and challenge-based learning courses:
- Startup Entrepreneurship for Built Environment
- Internet of Things
- Entrepreneurship and Business Planning
- Semester Project
- Green Deal Collider: Sustainable Futures
- Social Entrepreneurship
The projects were supported by TalTech academic staff and mentors:
Katrin Arvola, Ekaterina Demiankova, Ergo Pikas, Sirje Ustav, Olev Tõru, Sirle Truuts, Doris Kaljuste, Margus Müür, Karl-Robert Läll, Marianne Kallaste, Gert Guri, and Kätlin Kangur.
BauPass helps self-builders and small contractors compile all documents needed for occupancy permit applications into one clear digital package. Using AI, the solution converts manufacturers’ PDFs into structured Digital Product Passports, links them to the building’s BIM model, and generates a Building Registry-ready submission in one click. The platform reduces manual work and repeated rejections while improving traceability of building materials and carbon footprint data.
BuildRadar brings Estonia’s construction materials into one smart comparison platform, allowing users to search for products based on technical properties and compare prices, specifications, and sustainability data across suppliers. Using AI and smart indexing, the solution supports better purchasing decisions, reduces material waste, and helps avoid unnecessary transport emissions.
Smart Tape is a wearable smart patch for preventive monitoring of chronic lower back pain. The solution uses sEMG sensors to measure muscle activity and provides users with early warnings and recommendations for stretches or exercises before pain flare-ups occur. The project supports preventive healthcare and helps improve well-being and work capacity.
Strong startup ideas from the IGNITER programme received recognition
IGNITER is TalTech Startup Centre’s business idea development programme, where student teams spend four months validating their business model, target audience, and prototype. This year, 15 teams completed the programme.
The programme partners also provided several awards and development opportunities, including the €2500 Swedbank grand prize, access to the Latitude59 pitching stage, legal mentorship from TEGOS, and incubation and seed funding opportunities through the TalTech Student Ventures programme.
Integrit
Integrit is developing audit software that automates a large share of today’s manual auditing work. The solution integrates audit tools into one system and generates ready-made audit documentation, reducing routine work by up to 50%. The team aims to make auditing more efficient and AI-ready for the future.
The following teams received up to €2000 in support and incubation opportunities from TalTech’s Student Ventures programme:
- Integrit
- Renderable
- Nautical Clean
Renderable
Renderable is developing a real estate platform that allows brokers to create interactive 3D property walkthroughs using only a smartphone. The solution helps reduce unnecessary property visits and improves buyers’ decision-making before on-site viewings.
Nautical Clean
Today, cleaning the underside of boats is often time-consuming and inconvenient, while algae and other marine growth quickly accumulate on hulls, increasing fuel consumption and reducing the speed of racing yachts. Nautical Clean is developing a mechanical cleaning tool for yachts and motorboats that makes it easy to keep boat hulls clean and efficient.
Latitude59 provides teams with the opportunity to present their ideas to investors, mentors, and the international startup community, while building valuable connections for further development, collaboration, and potential investment opportunities. The following teams received the opportunity to pitch on the Latitude59 stage and join the network of the Baltics’ largest startup and technology conference:
- Integrit
- Renderable
- Nautical Clean
- SkillCard
SkillCard
SkillCard is developing a performance measurement system for young football players, enabling players and clubs to receive objective feedback on technical development. The solution combines measurement, analytics, and feedback into one integrated platform.
A platform for developing future solutions
Over the years, TalTech Sustainable Futures: Pitching Day has evolved into much more than a pitching competition. It has become a platform where learning, entrepreneurship, research-based approaches, and societal impact come together.
EuroTeQ Collider and IGNITER together demonstrate how a modern university is no longer only a place for transferring knowledge, but an environment where future solutions, companies, and collaboration models are created.