DeepTech Startup Network
Joint network for the creation and growth of deep tech startups
The Deep Tech Startup Network is a national collaboration network through which the state invests more than 10 million euros in the development of deep technology entrepreneurship. The goal is to grow strong companies emerging from research, create high-technology jobs, and, with early public support, attract greater private sector investment in later stages.
The network does not create new parallel structures; instead, it strengthens and connects existing activities in universities, science parks, and support organisations to make the transition from research to entrepreneurship more logical and continuous.
Why Does Deep Technology Require a Distinct Approach?
The network is designed for deep tech companies - businesses whose technology is based on scientific discoveries or engineering breakthroughs and whose development is time-consuming, high-risk, and capital-intensive. The market potential of such companies often becomes visible only years later.
This stage has historically marked the widest gap between research and business. In the case of science-intensive ideas, a long development cycle, high technological risk, and an uncertain commercial outcome coincide, making it difficult for both researchers and entrepreneurs to find suitable support, capital, and the right partners.
The DeepTech Startup Network addresses several systemic challenges at once:
- reduces ecosystem fragmentation and information loss;
- makes it easier for researchers and entrepreneurs to identify their next steps;
- creates logical and continuous support across different stages of development;
- helps share early-stage technology risk, where the private sector is not yet ready to invest.
TalTech in the DeepTech Startup Network
PROGRAMME 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.
Partners and cooperation
The Deep Tech Startup Network is implemented by Tallinn University of Technology, Tehnopol Science and Business Park, SPARKUP Tartu Science Park, University of Tartu, and Estonian University of Life Sciences. The effective operation of the network relies on close and continuous collaboration between Estonian universities, science parks, and support organisations. Partners do not operate as separate service providers, but as parts of a single system in which each actor covers a specific stage of development and intentionally guides companies forward.
This is a long-term national investment in the development of deep technology entrepreneurship. Through the network, the state invests more than 10 million euros to strengthen existing activities and create the conditions for the emergence and growth of new science-intensive and internationally competitive companies.
