Research-based entrepreneurship is a key factor enabling universities to fulfil their third mission: creating societal impact.
Bringing research results into entrepreneurship helps solve real-world problems and increases the practical value of knowledge. To achieve this goal, TalTech supports spin-off founders - both researchers and other university staff - throughout the entire journey, from idea to a growing company.
WHAT IS A SPIN-OFF COMPANY?
Spin-off company – a company founded by employees of a university or other academic institution that is based on knowledge, technology, or intellectual property developed within the academic environment, and whose activities are related to further developing and commercialising these outcomes. This form of entrepreneurship supports the transfer of research results from the laboratory into practice and their wider adoption.
Traditional company – a company whose activities do not necessarily involve research and development or the application of knowledge created in an academic environment.
TALTECH’S SPIN-OFF SUPPORT JOURNEY:
INTERESTED IN SPIN-OFF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT TALTECH? GET IN TOUCH WITH US: START@TALTECH.EE
TECH ENTREPRENEUR
TalTech is one of the partners in the DeepTech Startup Network and contributes to the development of science-intensive teams at the early idea stage, during company formation, and in the initial phase of growth. To support this goal, TalTech runs the Tech Entrepreneur Programme, which helps research teams develop their ideas and shape them into innovation-driven, scalable business solutions. The programme is inspired by the innovation model of KTH Royal Institute of Technology and has been adapted to the needs of TalTech’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The programme is built on the core principles of the KTH model, each delivered through hands-on workshops. These workshops guide research teams through the key stages of venture development - from assessing problem–solution fit and defining a value proposition to validating customer needs, developing a business model, creating an intellectual property strategy and planning market entry. The learning approach is practical and based on continuous experimentation and feedback, enabling participants to immediately apply new knowledge to the development of their research-based ideas.
Ideas are developed with the support of mentoring, experiential learning and expert guidance. The development process is step-by-step: early-stage ideas are gradually shaped into solutions with a clear value proposition and real market potential. By the end of the programme, teams are better prepared to bring their technological solutions to market and apply them in entrepreneurial contexts.
The Tech Entrepreneur Programme supports TalTech’s goal of accelerating the market uptake of research-based innovations. It helps researchers grow into confident technology entrepreneurs and increases the impact of ideas originating from TalTech in both industry and society.
These activities are part of the Deep Tech Startup Network and form part of a national investment aimed at developing deep technology entrepreneurship.
ASTRA + TULEVIK study trips and training courses
Estonian universities have launched Activity Line 2 of the ASTRA+ project, with the aim of developing skills in knowledge transfer, innovation management, and business development within the academic sector over a four-year period.
Between September 2025 and August 2029, a diverse set of training programmes will be implemented, targeting researchers, doctoral candidates, support staff, and university leaders. The objective of the programme is to support the transfer of research results to society and to increase their practical and economic impact.
The activity consists of three focus areas:
- BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
- KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER
- INNOVATION MANAGEMENT
Business Development Fundamentals Course takes place once a year and provides participants with a comprehensive overview of opportunities for applying research results in entrepreneurship.
Advanced Business Development trainings consist of thematic one-day courses that participants can select based on their interests, roles, and organisational needs.
Within the Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Management track, both introductory and advanced courses are offered. These are delivered in modular formats and address knowledge transfer and innovation management topics at varying levels of complexity, tailored to participants’ prior experience.
Interested in taking part in the trainings or learning more?
Business Development Fundamentals Course
The course begins simultaneously in Tallinn and Tartu on 30 January and runs until 12 June.
The Business Development Fundamentals Course (consisting of 6 modules and 10.5 training days) is designed for both academic and non-academic staff who wish to turn their research or development ideas into practical solutions. The course supports the development of an entrepreneurial mindset and innovation skills; helps participants build business models and value propositions; understand the logic of finance and funding opportunities; plan marketing and branding activities; and acquire skills in leadership, scaling, and pitching.
The course is suitable for those who aim to successfully commercialise the results of their research or projects, as well as for those who wish to apply entrepreneurial thinking to managing research projects.
Preference is given to participants who already have an idea to develop during the course, or who are very close to having one.
Schedule and frequency: 30 January – 12 June 2026, approximately twice per month
Location: Participants are divided into two groups — Tallinn and Tartu.
Tallinn sessions take place at Tallinn University of Technology, and Tartu sessions at the University of Tartu. Exact venues will be confirmed on an ongoing basis and communicated to registered participants.
Workload: 10 × 8 academic hours + 1 × 4 academic hours = 84 academic hours
Learning format: Contact learning (participants are expected to attend in person throughout the programme). In addition to trainers and training sessions, the programme includes inspiring guest speakers and site visits.
Language of instruction: Estonian
Target group: Cross-functional
Registration deadline: 19 January 2026
The number of places is limited. Preference is given to participants who have an idea to develop during the course.
Promoting the Application of Research Results in the Academic Environment through the Enhancement of Knowledge Transfer, Business Development, and Innovation Management Skills (TULEVIK)
The project focuses on the development and implementation of a programme aimed at increasing knowledge and skills related to knowledge transfer, business development, and innovation management. The TULEVIK project consortium includes all Estonian public universities and state professional higher education institutions as budgetary partners (a total of 13). In addition, seven R&D institutions are involved as non-financial partners within the project’s target group. The lead partner of the consortium is the University of Tartu.
Consortium Members:
- University of Tartu (Lead Partner)
- Tallinn University of Technology
- Tallinn University
- Estonian Academy of Arts
- Estonian Aviation Academy
- Estonian University of Life Sciences
- Estonian Academy of Security Sciences
- Tartu Health Care College
- Tallinn Health Care College
- Estonian Military Academy
- Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre
- Tallinn University of Applied Sciences
- Pallas University of Applied Sciences
Objectives:
Achieving a basic level of knowledge transfer and business development skills and developing advanced competencies among staff of Estonian R&D institutions;
Increasing the number of specialists/experts and strengthening their capabilities;
The broader goal is to increase the commercialisation of research results and expand cooperation with industry.
Expected Results:
Training programmes in knowledge transfer, business development, and innovation management (three introductory and three advanced courses) have been developed.
Training programmes in knowledge transfer, business development, and innovation management have been delivered to at least 380 participants across the following target groups:
Doctoral candidates / junior lecturers / lecturers (without a PhD);
Academic staff with a PhD (including research group leaders);
Support staff (research administrators, technology transfer and business development specialists);
Decision-makers and managers.
The number of trained technology transfer and business development specialists at universities, professional higher education institutions, and R&D organisations has increased.
Staff who have completed the trainings are aware of how to apply research results with commercial potential, including in entrepreneurship.
Total funding amount: €1,629,439.70
LAB2LIFE - a community for young scientists
Lab2Life is an initiative aimed at bringing together early-career researchers and doctoral candidates who wish to take their scientific discoveries from the lab into real life.
The early-career researchers’ community is implemented within Activity 4 of the ASTRA+ programme, co-funded by the European Union, as part of the project “Enhancing TalTech’s Knowledge Transfer Capacity” (project number: 2021–2027.1.01.24-0811).
What to expect?
- Regular inspiring meetups focused on the commercialisation of science and knowledge transfer
- A supportive community of ambitious early-career researchers and doctoral candidates who are eager to make a real-world impact with their research
- Practical support and know-how on how to successfully bring research results into society and entrepreneurship
All early-career researchers and doctoral candidates are welcome to join the Lab2Life community.
Please note that separate registration is required for each meetup.
Attending conferences
At the Startup Centre, we also organise TalTech exhibition stands at various conferences such as Latitude59 and sTARTUp Day, and support our spin-off founders in participating in international conferences as well.