Estonia is doubling its tech ambitions with a fresh €15M injection into applied research as Enterprise Estonia launches the eighth round of its successful Applied Research Programme (RUP). Set to open for applications on January 21, 2025, the initiative targets companies ready to push technological boundaries and make an even bigger splash in the growing DeepTech ecosystem.
The programme offers support for individual projects, with funding up to €2M per initiative. This investment enables companies to develop and validate prototypes, create new technologies, and enhance existing products and services.
“Increasing our economic competitiveness requires investment in higher value-added product development,” says Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo. “This eighth round of applied research funding empowers businesses to do exactly that. Private sector involvement in high-tech development is crucial for elevating the value of our products and services, with state support playing a vital role in motivating companies to embrace innovation by mitigating development risks.”
Estonia already leads the region in DeepTech research, but is aiming even higher. Looking ahead, the country has set ambitious targets through its government-backed initiative to become a global DeepTech hub. The strategy aims to double the number of DeepTech projects by 2025 and have 500 DeepTech startups by 2030.
Mart Toots, Enterprise Estonia’s Applied Research Programme Director, emphasises the importance of intellectual property protection in the development process. “The commercial success of technologically innovative solutions heavily depends on effective intellectual property protection in international markets,” Toots explains. He encourages entrepreneurs to conduct freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses before submitting applications, addressing a current gap in international IP protection strategies.
The application process has been refined to better support potential innovators:
- Initial project evaluation deadline: February 21, 2025
- Final submission deadline: March 21, 2025, 16:00
- Extended evaluation period of four weeks (doubled from previous two weeks)
- Access to RUP experts for application guidance
- Option to include both domestic and international collaboration partners
The programme’s track record speaks to its success, with over 850 development ideas reviewed and approximately 200 successful projects funded over four years. Notable successes include Icosagen’s BioBlock anti-viral nasal spray, Vegestar’s plant-based patties, and Chemi-Pharm’s innovative hygiene products — all of which have achieved international recognition.
The bi-annual funding rounds, consistently maintaining the €15M investment level, also demonstrate Estonia’s sustained commitment to innovation and supporting business development in high-value sectors.
For companies interested in participating, Enterprise Estonia provides comprehensive support through the application process, including expert consultation and partnership facilitation. Interested parties can contact [email protected] or visit the Enterprise Estonia website for detailed information about the Applied Research Programme.
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