Startups affiliated with the Estonian University of Life Sciences invited to apply for deep tech accelerator

The deep tech accelerator is designed for research- and technology-intensive startups seeking to turn their ideas into market-ready products or services. Participating teams can receive up to €170,000 in equity-free business development funding, practical knowledge and tools for business development, and guidance from experienced mentors and specialists. The programme also provides access to networks of investors and entrepreneurs.

The accelerator welcomes teams with a clear research-based focus, initial technological capabilities and a commitment to further developing their solutions. To be eligible, a company must have a strong connection to an Estonian university or research and development institution, for example through the employment of a team member. This also includes doctoral students.

Companies must be registered in Estonia by the start of the programme at the latest, and intellectual property ownership and usage rights must be clearly defined. A shareholders' agreement must also be in place. Additional eligibility requirements apply regarding previous public funding and participation in accelerator programmes.

Estonian University of Life Sciences supports the development of research-based entrepreneurship

The deep tech accelerator is part of a broader deep tech startup network whose partners include Sparkup Tartu Science Park, Tehnopol Science and Business Park, Tallinn University of Technology, the University of Tartu and the Estonian University of Life Sciences.

The network aims to strengthen cooperation between researchers and entrepreneurs and support the commercialisation of research-based solutions. To achieve this, existing support activities are being brought together into a coordinated system that helps research-intensive companies access appropriate support, partners and funding at different stages of development.

The Estonian government is investing more than €12 million in the development of deep tech entrepreneurship. By 2030, the network aims to identify more than 200 potential deep tech ideas, train and validate 100 teams, and support 50 research-intensive companies in entering the market and growing their businesses. The network is funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.

Applications are open

The deep tech accelerator will run in parallel in Tartu and Tallinn. In Tartu, the programme is delivered by Sparkup Tartu Science Park, while in Tallinn it is run by Tehnopol. Training sessions and events will alternate between the two cities, so participating teams must be prepared to attend in person in both Tartu and Tallinn.

Applicants are advised to apply based on the location of their university. The application deadline is 8 November 2026.

Find out more about the programme, eligibility requirements and opportunities on the Sparkup Tartu Science Park websitelink opens in new page.