Startups
DEFINE – Core Program for Early Stage Startups
Toggle contentProgram Overview
DEFINE 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. 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 characterised 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 analysed.
- 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 recruitment and development
- Investor readiness. Funding and pitching
- Demo Day for investors as part of sTARTUp Day
Application
To start application, click the button below. Suitable teams will be invited for a 30-minute virtual interview. 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 contentProgram Overview
DEVELOP is a company-specific program, focusing on achieving market readiness through product development, clinical and commercial validation, and regulatory certification. Participants gain practical knowledge and skills to successfully launch new health technology solutions. Teams learn to gather clinical evidence, create regulatory certification action plans, protect intellectual property, validate product value propositions, and secure investments.
Who Is the Program For?
Health technology startups operating in Estonia, developing solutions in the TAIE health technology sector (digital health solutions, medical devices, biotechnology, drug development, occupational health, and prevention).
Successful candidates are characterised by:
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A dedicated team with clinical, technological, regulatory, and business expertise.
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Readiness level: CIMIT Stage 1-3 clinical, regulatory, business, and technical milestones achieved.
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Validated unmet clinical need: Initial user study conducted and documented.
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A registered company in Estonia with no tax debts and a properly submitted annual report.
Program Content
A 24-month program tailored to the company’s goals, including:
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Kick-off event. Program introduction and mentor meet-up.
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Development plan creation with the lead mentor and HFE team.
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Lead mentor sessions based on the development plan.
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Product and business development services.
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Quarterly roadmapping sessions with peers.
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Access to other HFE program workshops.
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Demo days and investor pitch opportunities
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Community events.
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Flexdesk office space in Tallinn or Tartu.
Application Process
To start the application, please click the button below. Suitable teams will be invited to a 30-minute virtual interview. Final selection by the evaluation committee on June 30.
Application deadline: June 16, 2025Additional Information
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De Minimis Aid (VTA): Up to €25,000 per company. Companies must have sufficient VTA balance. Check balance here.
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Funded by the EU in collaboration with Startup Estonia.
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GROW – Business Growth and Export
Toggle contentProgram Overview
GROW is a company-specific program for growth-stage health technology startups whose solutions are validated in the domestic market and who aim to start exporting. The program equips participants with practical knowledge and skills to successfully launch new health technology solutions in international markets. It offers startups top-tier, market-specific mentorship, support for implementing go-to-market strategies, market-based networks, investor connections, and a unique international community.
Who Is the Program For?
Health technology startups developing solutions in the TAIE health technology sector (digital health solutions, medical devices, biotechnology, drug development, occupational health, and prevention) and who have validated their solution in the Estonian market are invited to apply.
Successful candidates are characterised by:
- A dedicated team with clinical, technological, regulatory, and business expertise.
- A product/service commercially validated in the domestic market with initial paying users.
- A product/service clinically validated (if required) with published clinical trial results.
- A strategy for international expansion with a described go-to-market plan.
- Secured investment for entering foreign markets.
- A registered company in Estonia with no tax debts and a properly submitted annual report.
Program Content
A business development program lasting up to 24 months, tailored to the company’s goals and aligned with an HFE-approved action plan. It combines individual mentorship, business development support, and community events, including:
- Kick-off event. Program introduction and mentor meet-up.
- Go-to-market strategy analysis and export plan consultation (2 hours).
- Individual mentorship (up to 24 hours per team).
- Sales and export services according to development plan.
- Export bootcamps: Market-specific export seminars (onsite/online).
- Participation in international demo days.
- Community events.
Application Process
To apply, click the button below. Suitable teams will be invited to a 30-minute virtual interview. The final selection will be made by the evaluation committee on June 30.
Application deadline: June 16, 2025
Additional Information
- De Minimis Aid (VTA): The de minimis aid per company for the program is up to €22,000. Companies must have sufficient de minimis aid balance to participate. Check your company’s de minimis aid balance here.
- The program is funded by the EU in collaboration with Startup Estonia.