Estonia has a collaborative ecosystem for Industrial R&D including academia, accelerators and competence centres. Supported by world-class expertise and a highly competitive, digital environment, Estonia is the ideal location for Industrial product and technology R&D.
| Active knowledge and technology transfer between industry and academia. | |
| Best innovations validated and commercialised in accelerators. | |
| Competence centers providing infrastructure and expertise for applied R&D. | |
| Compact, digital environment well suited to accelerated research, prototyping and launches. | |
| Solid track record of successful innovations and investments. |
Estonia’s Industrial R&D ecosystem supports startups and corporate R&D and has produced numerous innovations in sectors including mechatronics, energy, chemicals and food.
Estonia’s advantages start early, ranking top 10 globally in the teaching of science, maths and IT. Nine universities and vocational education centres ensure the workforce possess professional knowledge and practical experience of modern technologies. TalTech University has a world-class capability in mechatronics and collaborates with universities and companies including MIT and Mitsubishi.
As befits one of the world’s most successful startup nations, Estonia’s accelerator ecosystem supports global commercialisation of software and hardware innovations. Five accelerators, backed by global firms including Telia, provide validation, mentoring, risk capital and market access for sectors including IoT, mechatronics and CleanTech.
Four competence centres provide infrastructure and expertise to conduct applied R&D in collaboration with corporate and academic partners. STACC focus on Big Data analytics and security for software and systems; ELIKO develop algorithm and communication models for IoT solutions; IMECC specialise in materials technology, AI and smart factories; EII has conducted 40 global R&D projects in mechatronics and embedded software. A further three centers specialise in chemicals and bioeconomy activity.
Estonia’s Industrial R&D ecosystem is enabled by modern infrastructure, supportive policy making and a pro-business environment which consistently ranks as one of the most open, competitive and transparent in the world. The journey from research to prototype and global launch is accelerated and efficient.
Estonia’s track record of successful Industrial startups includes Starship Technologies and Cleveron in mechatronics, Skeleton Technologies and Planet OS in CleanTech and GrabCAD in industrial automation. Long-term corporate R&D successes include Valio and Lallemand in food science, Stoneridge in mechatronics and Ericsson in telecommunications.
As digitalisation transforms all aspect of industry, Estonia’s ability to integrate world-class industrial and IT skills in a dynamic, scalable environment make it the ideal location for Industrial R&D.
Success stories in the Estonian Industrial R&D include:
Starship Technologies (read more), Cleveron (read more), Skeleton Technologies (read more), GrabCAD, Planet OS, Valio, Lallemand, Stoneridge, Neo Performance Materials, Ericsson, etc.
These websites can be useful when interested in Industrial R&D in Estonia:
You are also welcome to send us a request for personal e-consulting to obtain more specific information.
Estonia is the world’s most digitally enabled nation, offering a unique combination of talent, environment and innovation. Our IT R&D ecosystem enjoys global proof of concept, being trusted by global organisations such as Kuehne+Nagel and NATO and producing unicorn startups Transferwise and Bolt.
Estonia is a cashless society with over 99% of financial transactions occurring digitally. Electronic ID and Blockchain are widely used in FinTech applications. 80+ FinTechs ranging from innovative startups such as TransferWise to Blockchain leader Guardtime make Estonia a global centre of excellence for FinTech.
The most advanced cyber security country in Europe, Estonia has unique expertise in the research, development and management of cyber security solutions and systems. Home to NATO CCDCOE, Guardtime and Malwarebytes, Estonia is trusted to keep the digital economy safe.
Estonia has a two-decade track record of successful innovations and investments thanks to its smart people and a unique environment which enables the accelerated development and commercialisation of IP.
Estonia has a sizeable food industry which benefits from ecological raw materials, skilled workers and modern production facilities. With an established export capability and growing application of food science and technology, Estonia is the ideal location for export and R&D oriented investment.
With a highly-qualified workforce and strengths in engineering, electronics and IT, Estonia is at the cutting edge of R&D, production and service for mechatronic solutions with embedded software.
With over 80 captive, BPO and ITO centres, Estonia is an established location for finance, IT and customer services and has a growing expertise in supply chain, HR and process automation.
Estonia has a sizeable Advanced Industrial sector and world-class IT expertise in areas including high tech systems, control technologies and cyber security. Supported by a collaborative ecosystem well suited to research and development, Estonia is emerging as a centre of excellence in industrial automation.
Estonia developed X-Road, its proprietary decentralised, distributed system in 2001 and has utilised Blockchain since 2008. World-class technical skills supported by practical experience implementing public and permissioned Blockchain’s place Estonia at the forefront of the emerging Blockchain economy.
Estonia is the most effective supply chain hub for the Nordic, Baltic and northwest Russian regions thanks to its strategic location, modern infrastructure, multi-modal capabilities and reliable but flexible approach.
Estonia has one of Europe’s largest bioeconomies, including world leading expertise in forest-based activity. Supported by high-quality natural resources, ultra-high use of IT and supportive policy making, Estonia offers a range of production and innovation opportunities.
Estonia has a niche capability in the design and engineering of hardware and software solutions for intelligent transportation, urban planning, tourism and smart homes. Advanced digital infrastructure, skills and consumer adoption provide the ideal R&D testbed.
Estonia has a collaborative ecosystem for Industrial R&D including academia, accelerators and competence centres. Supported by world-class expertise and a highly competitive, digital environment, Estonia is the ideal location for Industrial product and technology R&D.
Patient records in Estonia are digitised and secured by the Blockchain, providing a single immutable data source for healthcare professionals. With a unique digital platform and collaborative ecosystem, Estonia is positioned to lead on preventative medicine, patient self-treatment and industry efficiency.
Estonia’s marine sector specialises in the design and build of small and medium-sized commercial and leisure vessels. Centuries long expertise, cutting-edge application of IT and a flexible approach make Estonia a competitive location for innovation and export-oriented production.
Estonia has a diversified energy sector which comprises long-standing expertise in oil shale, a sizeable renewables sector and growing CleanTech capability. World-class expertise within a highly digital, pro-business environment will see Estonia play a leading role in the energy revolution
Estonia has a full value chain for R&D, prototyping, and production of precision components and complex systems, and is trusted by ABB, Ericsson and the European Space Agency.
Estonia has an export-oriented Chemicals sector benefitting from a full value chain and world-class skills in oil shale, rare earth metals and petrochemicals. Our pro-business environment is competitive and trustworthy, with digitalisation applied to deliver new capabilities.
Estonia is an emerging hub for global e-commerce activity. World-class IT skills have created numerous e-commerce applications and are supported by leadership positions in enablers such as online trust, payments and digital logistics.
Estonia is a world leader in the development and application of digital logistics. From data analytics and country single windows to mobile apps and delivery robots, Estonia improves supply chain efficiency and client experience from the first mile to last.
What is it like to run a business in Estonia? How to benefit from the e-solutions and the efficiency of our business culture? What are the opportunities in specific sectors? Who to partner up with?
The Estonian Investment Agency’s team is happy to help you via its complimentary e-Consulting service, organize online or offline follow-up events such as virtual investment visits and guide you through the fairly simple process of investing in Estonia.
