27.01.2026
entrepreneurship

DeepTech Startup Network

The DeepTech Startup Network is a national collaboration initiative through which the state is investing over €12 million into the development of deep tech entrepreneurship. The objective is to build strong, research-based companies, create high-tech jobs, and use early public investment to attract more private capital in later stages.

Rather than creating new parallel structures, the network 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 tech require a dedicated approach?

The network is designed specifically for research-intensive – deep tech – companies whose technology is based on scientific discoveries or engineering breakthroughs and whose development is time-consuming, high-risk, and capital-intensive. Often, the market potential of such companies emerges only years later.

It is precisely at the investment stage that the gap between research and business has historically been the widest. In the case of research-intensive ideas, a long development cycle, high technological risk and uncertain commercial outcome coincide, making it difficult for both researchers and entrepreneurs to find the right support, funding, and partners.

The DeepTech Startup Network addresses several systemic challenges at once:

  • reduces fragmentation across the ecosystem and prevents information loss;
  • makes it easier for researchers and entrepreneurs to take their next steps;
  • provides a logical and continuous support pathway across different stages of company development;
  • helps share technological risk in the early stage where the private sector is not yet ready to engage.

Role of the University of Tartu in the DeepTech Startup Network

The University of Tartu plays a central role in identifying, developing, and commercialising research-based innovation within the DeepTech Startup Network. The university is a breeding ground for knowledge-based entrepreneurship – bringing together scientific excellence, entrepreneurial competence, and the strategic management of intellectual property.

  1. Systematic identification of research-intensive ideas

The University of Tartu identifies research-intensive ideas across all its faculties. A network of innovation scouts works directly with research groups and researchers to uncover market potential within research projects, technologies, and scientific results. The aim is to strengthen the university’s capability to commercialise scientific outputs and to make research-intensive innovation visible already at an early stage.

2. Pre-acceleration programmes and entrepreneur-in-residence (EIR) services for research groups

The University of Tartu runs a pre-acceleration programme to prepare research teams for the next stages of development. The goal is to shape the idea into a clear value proposition, understand the target market, advance technology development, and strengthen the team. The programme also coordinates entrepreneur-in-residence (EIR) services, where experienced business professionals support teams in building business strategies, implementing them, and growing into successful companies.

3. Support for intellectual property protection

The University of Tartu participates in the process of protecting intellectual property arising from research ideas and results (incl. advising, planning, and executing activities) and supports the management and coordination of the patent portfolio. Early, professional intellectual property protection gives research-based teams a competitive advantage and enhances their business success.

4. Expanding the network of experienced co-founders and investors

The University of Tartu helps research teams find co-founders with business experience and strengthens researchers’ connections with investors and support structures. This ensures that teams evolve into balanced, scalable and internationally competitive companies.

Partners and collaboration

The DeepTech Startup Network is implemented by Sparkup Tartu Science Park, Tallinn Science Park Tehnopol, Tallinn University of Technology, the University of Tartu, and the Estonian University of Life Sciences.

The effectiveness of the DeepTech Startup Network relies on close and continuous collaboration between Estonian universities, science parks and support organisations. Partners do not operate as isolated service providers, but as part of a unified system in which each organisation covers a specific development phase and guides companies forward.

By 2030

  • more than 200 potential deep tech ideas will be identified;
  • 100 teams will be trained and validated;
  • 50 research-intensive companies will be supported in reaching the market and scaling their growth.

If you have a research-intensive idea, a technology under development, or questions about the most appropriate next step, we invite you to get in touch.

Süvatehnoloogia iduettevõtluse võrgustiku partnerite logod
Author: Süvatehnoloogia iduettevõtluse võrgustiku partnerite logod