Doctoral researchers and master’s students of all Estonian universities are invited to join the course “Deep Tech Entrepreneurship” this autumn

This autumn semester, the second edition of the popular optional course “Deep Tech Entrepreneurship” (LTGI.00.005) takes place. Designed for doctoral researchers and master's students from all disciplines, the course offers a practical introduction to developing business ideas based on one's research and navigating the deep-tech start-up ecosystem.

The course is based on MIT’s Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework and is taught by Vice Rector for Development Tõnu Esko and Heli Valtna, a deep-tech founder and researcher of start-up ecosystems with a 20-year career in physics. Guest speakers from the start-up world will share real-world experiences and lessons learned.

“The fastest way to bring research results to society is often through entrepreneurship,” says Tõnu Esko. “This course helps doctoral researchers and master’s students think about the practical application of their work, regardless of whether they already have a business idea. Completing the course helps them see their research from a new perspective, making them better employees, specialists, managers and founders.”

Participants will learn to identify and analyse business ideas: to understand customer needs, assess market potential, and explore intellectual property strategies. They will also gain insights into the decision-making process in start-ups and the principles of early-stage investment.

The course runs weekly on Tuesdays, 12:15–13:45, from 9 September to 2 December, in a hybrid format: at room 2046 of the Delta building and online. It is open to doctoral researchers and master's students from all disciplines, including students from other Estonian universities.

Register in SIS2 (LTGI.00.005) by 31 August. First-year students can register until 15 September. Students of other Estonian universities interested in taking the course must complete the application to become a visiting student at the University of Tartu. The application approved by the student's home institution must be sent to the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Science and Technology at [email protected]. For more information about becoming a visiting student, see the UT website.

The course is supported by the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency through the health technology accelerator Health Founders Estonia.