University of Tartu spin-off participated in pan-European competition of research-intensive business ideas

On 19 October, Stage Two, a pan-European competition of universities' research-intensive business ideas, took place in Berlin, with over 50 teams from 40 countries participating.

Estonia was represented by EsaDres OÜ, which had been selected to participate in the competition in the Deep Tech Pitch Match held at the sTARTUp Day in Tartu in January. EsaDres OÜ has joined the University of Tartu's programme for developing research-intensive business ideas, "From Science to Business". The company's founders are University of Tartu researchers who develop wound dressings with antimicrobial and wound-healing properties. 

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"The event gave us a great opportunity to network with other researchers with similar goals to successfully commercialise their inventions. We could also exchange experiences and discuss the challenges of starting a research-based company," said Karin Kogermann and Kairi Lorenz from EsaDres.   

Stage Two is a great and necessary initiative that has already become a tradition in three years. Participants find it inspiring and beneficial in developing an international network and further investor relations. In previous years, the University of Tartu has been represented by Hypstar, UP Catalyst OÜ and OÜ Gearbox Biosciences. The presentation of the UT team in Berlin was supported by the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. 

  The competition is organised by the Stage Two network, which was launched in 2020 with the University of Tartu among its founding members. By now, nearly fifty entrepreneurial universities across Europe have joined Stage Two. The network aims to scale up research-based innovation, boost the development of university spin-offs and contribute to wider economic development. The competition offered a total of €3.8 million in investment and smaller cash prizes to teams from different sectors. 

Read more about the competition, the Stage Two network and EsaDres OÜ.