If you’re ready to make your small business your main focus.
Designed for businesses with a functioning product or service, seeking support for market entry, increasing sales, and business development. Next programme starts in March 2025.
What does it focus on?
Who should join?
Starting entrepreneur
Different businesses are welcome, including designers, small producers, service providers, circular economy practitioners, and startups.
Have a ready product/service
We expect that your product or service is at least at the prototype stage and that you have some paying customers.
Available to contribute
To benefit from the programme, the founder must have the capability, motivation, and time resources to work on business development.
What is the outcome?
By the end of the incubation, the company will have a functioning business model and a well-developed brand and marketing strategy.
The entrepreneur will have calculated the financial plan and product pricing. Additionally, the company will have explored opportunities for implementing circular economy practices. Participants will also gain valuable networking opportunities with other startups.
The programme concludes with a pitch presentation to a jury, where the best companies of the season will be announced.
Why join?
Over 30 thematic trainings, seminars, and networking events.
Personal consultant who guides you through the programme and offers an external perspective (up to 2 consultations per month).
Mentoring sessions providing specialized knowledge and advice in specific areas (a total of 8 hours of mentoring throughout the programme).
Experience exchange within the community of participating companies.
How to join?
1.Application
2.Meeting
3.Evaluation committee
4.Decision
Programme timeline
Participant feedback
Piret Tamm
Minuharjutused
Ailen Põld
Fibami
Andres Mürk
Hiigelmullid, Bubblos
Johanna Paiste
Ärni Blum
Kristiina Ploom
Kristiina Ploom Jewellery
Maarit Toompuu
Lengu
FAQ
What types of businesses cannot join the program?
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):
- Primary Production of Agricultural Products listed in Annex I of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
- Hunting (EMTAK 2008, section A, subsection 01) and Forestry (EMTAK 2008, section A, subsection 02) and related services.
- Fishing and Aquaculture (EMTAK 2008, section A, subsection 03) and related services.
- Beverage Production, excluding non-alcoholic beverage production, mineral water, and other bottled water production (EMTAK 2008, section C, subsection 11, excluding subsection 11.07).
- Tobacco Product Manufacturing (EMTAK 2008, section C, subsection 12).
- Wholesale and Retail Trade (EMTAK 2008, section G).
- Financial and Insurance Activities (EMTAK 2008, section K).
- Real Estate Activities (EMTAK 2008, section L).
- 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).
- Gambling and Betting Activities (EMTAK 2008, section R, subsection 92)
Who is the incubation programme intended for?
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.
How to join the programme?
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.
What are the expectations for participants joining the programme, and how much time does participation in the programme require?
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.
Is financial support available through the incubation programme?
No.
Do I have to give equity?
No, while participating in the incubation programme, the monthly fee is €60 + VAT.
How much does participation in the incubation programme cost?
While participating in the incubation programme, the monthly fee is €60 + VAT.
In what language are the trainings and services offered?
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.
What is the difference between consultation and mentoring?
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.
Can events be attended online?
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.
Do I need to have a registered company to join the programme?
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.
Will I have access to workspace while participating in the incubation programme?
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.
What companies have participated in the incubation programme?
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.