Startups
DISCOVER – Startup Bootcamp
Toggle content2-day intensive hackathon to accelerate the creation of new startups by bringing together researchers, clinicians, technologist and a wide range of other specialists to tackle the most pressing unet clinical challenges. Best teams progress to the core program – DEFINE.DEFINE – Core Program for Health Technology Startups
Toggle contentDEFINE is a 24-week accelerator program for ambitious health technology startups aiming to move from an idea to a validated value proposition and achieve initial investor readiness.Program Goal
During the program, participants will acquire practical knowledge and skills for successfully bringing a new health technology solution to market. The program offers startups top-level mentorship, practical workshops, investor contacts, and a unique international community.
Who is the program for?
Applications are welcome from all early-stage health technology startups developing solutions in the field of health technology (such as digital health solutions, medical devices, biotechnology, drug development, occupational health, and prevention). A successful candidate is characterized by:
- Dedicated team At least two co-founders ready to fully commit to the program. Teams with members from diverse backgrounds and competencies are preferred, e.g., scientist, healthcare professional, engineer, and/or entrepreneur. If the company is not yet registered, the team must be prepared to do so during the program.
- Unique value proposition The clinical problem, potential solution, and value proposition have been analyzed.
- Investment attraction capability The team has the potential to capture investor attention.
Program Structure
The 6-month program combines practical workshops, mentoring sessions, and community events.
- 12 workshops with industry experts
- 16 hours of mentoring sessions with a lead mentor for each team
- 4 hours of guided prototyping per team
- 12 roadmapping sessions where teams present their progress
- Founder Fridays community events
- Health Innovators Club networking events (4 times a year)
- Flex desk at Health Founders Tallinn or Tartu Science Park offices.
Program Content
- Opening event. Program introduction, meeting of teams and mentors.
- Healthcare innovation model
- Identifying clinical needs and shaping the value proposition
- Market and competitor analysis
- Regulatory framework and quality management
- Intellectual property strategy
- Product development and prototyping
- Market readiness: Funding and business models, sales process
- Company formation: Contracts, processes, financial management
- Team development: Recruitment and development
- Investor readiness: Funding and pitching
- Demo Day for investors as part of sTARTUp Day
Application To apply, fill out the application form below. Suitable teams will be invited for a 30-minute virtual interview to assess their motivation and suitability. The final selection will be made by the evaluation committee on June 30th.
Application deadline: 16.06.2025
Additional Information
- VTA (de minimis aid): The de minimis aid provided for the service per company is up to €20,000. To participate in the program, the company must have a corresponding amount of available de minimis aid balance. Check your company’s VTA balance here.
- The program is implemented with EU funding in cooperation with Startup Estonia.
DEVELOP – Product Development and Validation
Toggle contentDEVELOP focuses on product development, as well as clinical and market validation to bring the solution from an MVP to market readiness, i.e., CIMIT level 7. Companies receive an agreed-upon scope of product and business development services, as well as an experienced lead mentor according to their needs.GROW – Business Growth and Export
Toggle contentGROW focuses on supporting companies in the growth phase by enhancing their sales and export capabilities. Companies receive an agreed-upon scope of business development, sales, and export services, as well as an experienced market access mentor according to their needs.Investor Bootcamp
Toggle contentThe Investor Bootcamp is a series of annual events aimed at increasing the sector-specific awareness and investment readiness of potential lead angels.