County Development Centres
County Development Centres support entrepreneurs who are starting or growing their business, or engage in export activities. These centres offer free advice to entrepreneurs, organise training and information days, provide help in finding grants and preparing applications and help establish contacts, etc. County Development Centres are active in all 15 counties.
The business consultants at County Development Centres advise start-up businesses on taking the first steps in entrepreneurship. Basic training for start-up companies provide potential and start-up entrepreneurs with the required basic knowledge as well as knowhow and skills for setting up a company. Training is organised in all 15 counties. Mentor Clubs have been set up in the counties on the initiative of the County Development Centres.
County Development Centres also mediate various grants for enterprises. You can read more about funding opportunities for start-up companies in the article on ‘Financing a start-up company’.
Experienced entrepreneurs can turn to County Development Centres for help if they plan to bring their products or services to foreign markets. The advisers at County Development Centres provide assistance in finding export opportunities and cooperation partners, organise trade fair visits and trade missions for companies and much more.
The network of County Development Centres in cooperation with Estonian Business and Innovation Agency (EIS) supports regional investment activities, such as mediating and procuring investment requests. County Development Centres bring together companies interested in investments and potential investors.
For an overview of funding opportunities through EU funds and national grants, see the article on ‘Financing an already operating company’. Information on export grants can be found in the article on ‘Financing export and cross-border activity’.
Tallinn Entrepreneurship Centre
Start-up and small enterprises in Tallinn can find assistance on starting a business, analysing business ideas and preparing marketing and development plans from the Tallinn entrepreneurship centre.
The Tallinn Entrepreneurship Centre offers free advisory services primarily to applicants of the business start-up subsidy of the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund for starting their business and drawing up a business plan and financial forecasts.
The Centre also organises various business-related training events and seminars. Information about these can be found in their events calendar. Small enterprises located in Tallinn can also apply for entrepreneurship grants offered by the city of Tallinn.
Business Incubators
Business Incubators support start-up enterprises in setting up and growing their business. The Tehnopol Startup Incubator focuses on information and communication technologies and green and health technologies. With support from experts, Tehnopol provides assistance in getting the necessary investment or ensuring a stable turnover.
Tartu Science Park concentrates on supporting the establishment, development and activities of technology-intensive companies by providing both business development and rental services.
The incubator of Tartu Biotechnology Park specialises in supporting the foundation, development and activities of companies and research institutions in the field of biotechnology, medicine and veterinary medicine.
Companies in the creative sector can find help and like-minded people at the Tartu Centre for Creative Industries which also provides legal and economic advice for creative entrepreneurs.
The foundation Tallinn Business Incubators supports creative enterprises in their activities via the Tallinn Creative Incubator and Tallinn Design House .
Startup Estonia is a government initiative operating under the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency. Startup Estonia cooperates with different stakeholders to connect different sectors with the startup community.
ADAPTER, the contact point for companies and research institutions
ADAPTER connects entrepreneurs with Estonian research and development institutions. With the help of ADAPTER, companies can quickly contact the scientist or specialist they need to develop new services or products or find science-based ways for improving existing solutions.
Creative Estonia, a development centre for creative industries
Creative Estonia organises inspiring training events for companies active in the creative sector. It helps them establish cooperation relationships and commence export activities, mediates information about funding opportunities, and much more.
See also the Tartu Centre for Creative Industries.
Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge (METK)
The exchange of information in the field of agriculture and rural affairs is organised by the Department of Knowledge and Innovation Services of METK, which consists of:
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the CAP Network, which brings together and disseminates information related to rural development, including information from LEADER action groups.
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the Unit of Training and Advisory Services, including those related to rural economic advice.
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the coordinating centre for the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS).
LEADER 2023–2027 is a European Union support programme for rural development based on a bottom-up approach. Calls for proposals for LEADER project grants are coordinated by local action groups and applications are made through ePRIA.