WANT TO START YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY BUT AREN’T SURE WHERE TO BEGIN?
Here you’ll find practical info and funding opportunities for informed decisions
Startup or traditional company? Both have their place
When starting an entrepreneurial journey, a common question arises: should you build a startup or a traditional company? This is not a matter of ranking one above the other - both business models have their own role and purpose.
Startup is typically a company with high growth potential that seeks a scalable business model and often operates in conditions of uncertainty. Startups focus on innovation, international growth, and raising external investment.
Traditional company usually concentrates on stable and sustainable business operations within a defined market. Growth tends to be more moderate, funding is often based on self-financing or loans, and the business model is more clearly defined from the outset.
The key is to choose the model that best supports your goals, field, and ambitions - not the one that simply seems more fashionable at the moment.
Support materials for starting a business
Startup Estonia brings together information, guides, and tools related to the Estonian startup ecosystem:
- The definition and status of a startup
- Guides and materials needed to start a business
- Overviews of the Estonian startup ecosystem and related events
Pitch Preparation
A strong pitch helps you present your idea clearly and convincingly - both to partners and investors.
Key questions to consider:
- What problem are you solving and for whom?
- Why is your solution better than existing alternatives?
- How and from whom will you generate revenue?
- Who is on your team and why are you the right people?
Y Combinator offers free and practical videos on building, growing, and funding a startup:
- Idea validation
- Product–market fit
- Working with a team
- And much more
Funding opportunities
Bootstrapping – developing a company using personal funds and generated revenue.
A common funding approach in the early stages, especially for traditional businesses.
Angel investors – private individuals who invest at an early stage
Venture Capital (VC) – funds that invest in growth-stage startups
Family office – long-term capital from large family wealth management organisations
Prototron – support for early-stage ideas and prototypes
TalTech Student Ventures – tan entrepreneurship and funding programme for students
EIS toetused – support schemes for business development
EIC Accelerator – European Union funding for cutting-edge technologies and deep-tech startups
KIK – support for environmental and green technology projects
RUP (Applied Research Programme) – funding for the development of research-intensive solutions
Additional digital solutions for entrepreneurs
TalTech support for early-stage entrepreneurs
Starting a business doesn’t require having all the answers from the very beginning. What matters is taking the first informed steps and making use of the support systems available.
If you’re looking for personalised advice or support for starting a business at TalTech, feel free to get in touch with us.
PS! TalTech students and TalTech spin-off companies can book a free 30-minute consultation, during which we will map the potential of your business idea or existing solution and help define the next steps. When booking the meeting, please briefly describe your initial business idea, existing solution, or the questions you would like feedback on.