University of Tartu launches biggest business conference in Tartu

On 9 December 2016, at the University of Tartu’s initiative, the international business conference sTARTUp Day takes place in Estonia for the first time. Around a thousand guests from Estonia and abroad are expected to come and enjoy an eventful day with renowned performers from around the world. Registration and ticket sales have begun.

The new major conference day sTARTUp Day, which takes place at the Estonian National Museum in Tartu, will be introduced for the first time on 31 May at the Latitude 59 conference, where, in cooperation with the winner of Ajujaht 2016 competition and performer of sTARTUp Day SprayPrinter, a happening is organised where all conference guests can try SprayPrinter.

sTARTUp Day, which takes place in December under the slogan “How to earn if there is nothing to burn?”, focuses on business models. “We will discuss which business models work in different sectors today and in the future and which do not. We see that companies have problems with creating sustainable business models,” said Head of UT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Andres Kuusik.

Presentations and panel discussions will take place on two big stages, the business idea competition “Kaleidoskoop” for students will take place as well as pitching demos by UT spin-off companies and the Buildit accelerator. In addition, hackathons of Garage 48 Tartu Hub, Tartu Science Park and Tartu Biotechnology Park will take place all day. It is also possible to participate in trainings and the work fair.

Biotechnology, virtual reality, financial technology as well as the creative industry will be discussed on the starlight stage. The spotlight stage will focus on outsourced product development, e-commercialising, smart solutions in industry, applying space technologies and teaching entrepreneurship.

There will be attractive performers from around the world, from the USA, Sweden, the UK, Germany and Estonia. Speakers include Eskil Söderlind, founder of biotechnology company Salinator, Richard Murutar, CEO at SprayPrinter, Thomas Lans, co-founder of Quente, Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas, Mayor of Tartu Urmas Klaas and Rector of the University of Tartu Volli Kalm. The event is moderated by CEO of Comedy Estonia Louis Zezeran, who has long-time experience in entrepreneurship.

The list of speakers is updated continuously and you can keep up to date at the website of the event www.startupday.ee.

sTARTUp Day welcomes everyone who is interested: entrepreneurs, investors, students, researchers, active citizens. Registration and ticket information can be found at www.startupday.ee.

sTARTUp Day conference is organised at the initiative of UT by Tartu Science Park, Garage 48 Tartu Hub, Tartu Biotechnology Park, Tartu Centre for Creative Industries, Tartu Business Advisory Services and Tartu City Government. The conference is supported by Startup Estonia, Enterprise Estonia, Startup Leaders Club, EstBan, BuildIT and embassies of various countries. Performers from the USA are brought here with the help of the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation.

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Additional information:
Lauri Sokk, organiser of sTARTUp Day, Project Manager of UT Idea Lab
+372 526 0865             
lauri.sokk@ut.ee