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: [email protected]
TECH ENTREPRENEUR
PROGRAMME TECH ENTREPRENEUR
The Tech Entrepreneur is a hands-on venture building programme designed for science- and technology-based teams who want to turn research-driven ideas into scalable ventures. The programme supports the commercialisation of research results by providing practical assistance to transform innovative ideas into viable products or services and ultimately into spin-off companies.
What does the programme offer?
Participating TalTech employees can:
- have the opportunity to receive a development grant of up to €30,000 to advance their idea;
- gain access to industry-specific mentoring and practical support;
- collaborate with experienced Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs), who provide guidance on market analysis, business model development, and customer validation;
- recruit new team members and identify potential co-founders;
- receive support in developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and business model;
- participate in hands-on workshops;
- develop their idea into a market-ready product or service.
By the end of the programme, teams will have:
- a clear technology and commercialization roadmap,
- a stronger founding team,
- validated customer insights,
- solid foundation for future spin-off creation or industry collaboration.
What happens next?
- The TalTech Technology Transfer Office continues to support participating teams after the programme, helping them progress towards establishing a spin-off company.
- Once a spin-off company has been established, teams may apply to the DeepTech Accelerator at Technopol, which offers up to €170,000 in business development support over an 18-month period, alongside additional growth support services.
- The TalTech Technology Transfer Office supports TalTech teams throughout their entrepreneurial journey and helps increase their visibility through marketing and communication activities, as well as participation opportunities at events such as sTARTUp Day and Latitude59.
For questions or to apply, get in touch with us
These activities are part of the Deep Tech Startup Network and form part of a national investment aimed at developing deep technology entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) program
The EIR Programme supports the development of TalTech research projects and deep-tech business ideas at the idea and pre-startup stages. Its goal is to help research-intensive projects grow into viable companies by providing teams with guidance from experienced entrepreneurship experts.
The programme is open exclusively to TalTech-affiliated research teams and projects with spin-off potential. Working alongside an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR), participants can develop their business model, validate market opportunities, assess intellectual property considerations, and prepare for investment readiness.
As a result of the programme, each team will develop a business-needs-based business model and action plan, providing a strong foundation for future growth and company development.
Interested in the EIR programme? Get in touch with us
The programme is delivered in cooperation with Startup Estonia.
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?
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
Next meeting:
Autumn sessions are currently being planned.
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.