RSS FEED Tallinn proves to be still the Mecca of startups

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia is making constant developments to assure its strong position as a Mecca of startups. The latest news brings us the launching of new program that helps to boost the quality and quantity of Estonian startups. It’s called the Startup Incubator.
 
Startup Incubator is a branch of Estonians largest science park – Tallinn Science Park Tehnopol Foundation. Startup Incubator connects  network of business coaches and mentors and physical startup cooperation environment. As it is located in science park close to 150 tech based companies (including Skype Technologies or Fujitsu Services), the Startup Incubator tends to become the landing place of great tech based or ICT innovations in Estonian startup scene.
 
“Estonian startups have been amongst the strongest in global scene. That’s mainly because we have the critical mass of serial entrepreneurs and role models around. The main goal of Startup Incubator is to incubate and accelerate critical mass of entrepreneurs to assure Tallinn´s position as a startup capital,” said Martin Goroško, Marketing Manager of Tehnopol.
 
“Startup Incubator is not a new thing. Tallinn Science Park Tehnopol has been dealing with tech based startups since 2003 and the rebranding is raised from the strong focus and effort we have but into working with startups,” added Goroško.
 
Startup Incubator includes many other changes besides the new face.
 
“Every startup knows how important it is to launch as quickly as possible making as few mistakes as possible. Startup Incubator brings together the best expertise and contacts from tech entrepreneurship experts. We have built up a network of business coaches and mentors with previous international startup background who put their effort into our startups. In June 2012 we are launching a new co-working space that includes open space, startup offices, a prototyping lab and meeting arenas,” described Raido Pikkar, the Startup Incubator manager.
 
“We share the idea that successful startup comes from the cooperation of best people. The co-working space and our network of hands-on business coaches is the best cooperation between field experts available in Estonia. The rise of new and innovative startups is basically inevitable,” said Raido Pikkar.
 
Today there are 15 mentors and business coaches working with 20 startups in Startup Incubator. Majority of them have previous international startup experience.  
 
According to one of the business coaches Janno Siimar, the Creative Director and Partner at Velvet Advertising Agency, the cooperation with startups motivates equally both parties. “I joined Startup Incubator as soon as I saw how useful I can be for a startup company with my contacts and knowledge. It also keeps my mind fresh and awake. Dealing with crazy startup teams helps me to break the everyday routine and I can be close to the innovation when it’s made,” said Siimar. 
 
Janar Merilo, the CEO of one Startup Incubator company GateMe said that it is very important that Estonia has such startup cooperation places. “We have avoided many mistakes and saved a lot of time thanks to the mentors. It is also good that the Startup Incubator brings together people who are struggling around same problems. Talking to them might help you to be more successful and act faster,” said Merilo.

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