Vootele Päi joins Tehnopol as Head of Defence and Dual-Use Technologies

The defence and dual-use technologies focus area at the Tehnopol Science and Business Park will now be led by Vootele Päi, who brings extensive experience from both the private and public sectors. Päi will be responsible for driving the development of Tehnopol’s defence and dual-use technologies focus area both in Estonia and internationally. 

Vootele Päi has previous experience in the defence and technology sectors through his work at the Estonian Ministry of Defence, the British Embassy in Tallinn, and as a consultant in the private sector. In his most recent position, Päi served as an advisor to the former Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets. 

“We’re delighted to welcome Vootele Päi to the Tehnopol team. Vootele has a strong background in science and innovation, defence, and internal security, as well as extensive experience working with tech and start-up sector as a consultant in the private sector. This brings valuable expertise and international cooperation competence to our team to support the development of our defence and dual-use technology segment while strenghtening and broadening our cooperation network and ecosystem in the field,” said Anne-Liisa Elbrecht, the Head of the Tehnopol Startup Incubator.  
 
The defence and dual-use technology domain at Tehnopol spans across all stages of company growth. The goal is to support both early-stage startups and more mature companies with export ambitions, international cooperation, and overcoming product and business development challenges. Tehnopol serves as a strong competence centre, helping companies develop dual-use strategies, validate products for the defence sector, and enter defence markets. The organisation also advises companies at every stage of growth on export activities, investment attraction, and joint development projects. 

“Leading the defence and dual-use technologies focus area at Tehnopol is both a mission and an opportunity to contribute to the growth of high value-added technology companies in Estonia. Such companies not only strengthen our economy and R&D/science fields but also support our national defence and security ambitions and capabilities. In a broader geopolitical context, the development of the defence and dual-use technology sector in Estonia is vital for us to do our bid in strengthening European technological competitiveness while ensuring our economy, science and companies also benefit from it,” said Vootele Päi. 

The focus area of dual-use and defence technologies at Tehnopol has already seen significant progress. For instance, in collaboration with the Sparkup Tartu Science Park, Tehnopol supports startups developing solutions applicable to both civilian and defence sectors through the NATO DIANA Estonia accelerator. Additionally, Tehnopol runs a defence technology pre-accelerator aimed at addressing defence and security challenges, and a Cyber accelerator in cooperation with the Information System Authority (RIA).