Incubation

Areas of Business That Cannot Join the Incubation Program:

The primary business sectors of applicants for the incubation program cannot include the following areas listed in Annex I of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union or published in the Estonian Economic Activities Classification (EMTAK 2008):

1. Primary Production of Agricultural Products listed in Annex I of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
2. Hunting (EMTAK 2008, section A, subsection 01) and Forestry (EMTAK 2008, section A, subsection 02) and related services.
3. Fishing and Aquaculture (EMTAK 2008, section A, subsection 03) and related services.
4. Beverage Production, excluding non-alcoholic beverage production, mineral water, and other bottled water production (EMTAK 2008, section C, subsection 11, excluding subsection 11.07).
5. Tobacco Product Manufacturing (EMTAK 2008, section C, subsection 12).
6. Wholesale and Retail Trade (EMTAK 2008, section G).
7. Financial and Insurance Activities (EMTAK 2008, section K).
8. Real Estate Activities (EMTAK 2008, section L).
9. Legal Activities and Accounting; Head Office Activities; Management Consulting; Market Research and Public Opinion Polling (EMTAK 2008, section M, subsections 69, 70, and 73.2).
10. Gambling and Betting Activities (EMTAK 2008, section R, subsection 92)

Start-up small businesses, including product designers, small manufacturers, service providers, platform creators, companies implementing circular economy practices, and start-ups. We expect that the product/service prototype is ready and that there are initial customers. Additionally, the company should have a basic website, a social media account, or another channel that provides an overview of the company’s activities.

To join, you need to fill out the application form. Within 7 working days, a Business Incubator consultant will contact the applicants to schedule an initial meeting. If, as a result of the meeting, the consultants assess that the entrepreneur is ready to enter the incubation programme, they will be referred to the evaluation committee. Those who successfully pass the evaluation committee will begin the incubation programme.

We expect that entrepreneurs joining the incubation programme have the capability, motivation, and time resources to focus on developing their business. The programme lasts 9 months, during which participants can receive up to 8 hours of mentoring and up to 2 consultations per month. Additionally, in the first three months, there will be a 9-part basic training series, which we expect all participants to attend. Participants will also have the opportunity to participate weekly in various thematic events and trainings.

Furthermore, we expect that participants remain motivated and are willing to work on developing their business throughout the programme.

No.

No, while participating in the incubation programme, the monthly fee is €60 + VAT.

While participating in the incubation programme, the monthly fee is €60 + VAT.

Trainings and events are primarily conducted in Estonian. In some exceptional cases, trainings may also be held in English. Consultations and mentoring sessions are conducted in Estonian, but can also be conducted in English if necessary.

A consultant is a personal support throughout the entire programme, who collaborates with the entrepreneur and offers opportunities that could be beneficial for the specific business.

A mentor is an expert in their field who can provide advice to the entrepreneur on a specific topic, according to the entrepreneur’s needs.

You can attend the trainings both on-site and online. Various events—such as community events, experience sharing sessions, etc.—primarily take place on-site.

Only companies registered as private limited companies (OÜ) are accepted into the incubation programme. If you do not have an OÜ at the time of submitting the application, you must establish it no later than after successfully passing the evaluation committee.

Companies participating in the incubation program have access to the Business Incubator’s open office and can also use meeting rooms. Office spaces can be rented, with the rental price for incubators set at €10.13/m².

Some of the most notable alumni of the Tallinn Business Incubator include designers Lilli Jahilo, Liina Stein, and Kadri Kruus, the sustainable packaging material creator RAIKU, the footwear brand KIRA, the educational game developer for children Lengu, the furniture and construction materials developer Myceen, the knitwear brand Ärni Blum, the rope solutions provider IKIGI, and the recruitment services company Workbite, among others.