Health needs the next generation of founders – Call for applications for Accelerator Programme launched

Health Founders Estonia is inviting health technology founders and teams to apply for its accelerator programme to help bring healthcare solutions to market. Applications are open until 4 May.

Estonia’s health technology ecosystem has taken a big leap over the past year. The first cohort of Health Founders Estonia brought 34 companies to the accelerator programme, and the Startup Bootcamp in March brought together nearly 100 participants and 27 new health tech ideas. The programme is now looking for teams interested in reaching the market and growing internationally for its second cohort.

Tõnu Esko, Vice Rector for Development, genomics researcher and investor at the University of Tartu, points out that health technology is no longer a narrow niche area. “Since 2020, early-stage investment in health technology companies has grown significantly, by 800% between 2020 and 2025, reflecting both the rapid development of biomedicine and digital health and the growing confidence in the commercialisation of science-based solutions,” notes Esko. This trend suggests that health technology is emerging as one of the key drivers of innovation, where academic science and business meet.

Siim Saare, Programme Manager of Health Founders Estonia and founder of Lifeyear, encourages even those who are not sure if they are ready to join. “You don’t need to know everything in advance to get started. Health Founders Estonia helps you step by step to understand what really works,” says Saare. He stresses that health is a complex and slow-moving field, but there is an opportunity to make a real impact through innovation. “Once you solve a real problem, the rest is learnable. Health Founders Estonia is a place where learning happens fast and with others.”

The Accelerator programme offers healthcare professionals, researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs practical support along the whole journey – from workshops, mentoring, roadmapping sessions and community events to investor readiness. The founders’ journey will be supported in three programmes according to the stage of development: DEFINE will help start-up teams move from an idea to a validated business model, DEVELOP will focus on product development, clinical validation and regulatory readiness, and GROW will support companies in launching international growth and exports. Participants in all programmes receive access to community events and office space in Tallinn or Tartu Science Park.

The programme will incorporate ideas from life sciences, biotechnology and digital health. Areas of focus include genetic engineering, personalised medicine, drug development, software-based medical devices, digital diagnostics and therapeutics, and ICT solutions for healthcare.

The deadline for applications is 4 May. Find out more and apply here.

The Startup Estonia programme of the Estonian Foundation for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, in cooperation with Health Founders Estonia, supports the establishment of knowledge-based health technology startups in Estonia, contributing to the growth of startups both nationally and globally, and developing the entire Estonian health technology ecosystem and network.