TEHNOPOL Tallinn Technology Park
Founded in 2003 by Republic of Estonia, Tallinn City and Tallinn University of Technology, located 5 km from the city centre, 51,000 m2 of rental space. TEHNOPOL's 135 tenants are knowledge-based enterprises, mainly in ICT, electronics, chemistry, materials technologies, life science-related technologies.
TEHNOPOL is created to reduce development risks of innovative enterprises. To fulfil this mission TEHNOPOL, in addition to the extensive infrastructure development, offers a wide variety of ("soft") innovation - incubation, business development, networking - services to its tenant companies, as well as to a number of other associated firms and TUT researchers. For start-ups, TEHNOPOL has an incubator for up to 35 technology-based businesses.
The operational capacity with respect to the innovation services is based on:
- Competence of TEHNOPOL's own staff - 23 professionals of various profiles;
- Estonian competence and support networks,
- Incl. TUT and other founders, public innovation and enterprise supportstructures, technology and investment firms, business associations, etc.
- International innovation organizations: International Association of Science Parks, Science Park and Innovation Centre Expert Group, Baltic Association of Science/Technology Parks and Innovation Centres, etc.;
- International multilateral (mostly EU) and bilateral cooperation projects with strategic partners from Finland, Germany, U.S., etc.
OTHER SCIENCE PARKS IN ESTONIA
- Tartu Science Park - 32 tenant (incl 9 incubation) companies, over 8000m2 of premises, partner in international projects in cluster management, product development, internationalisation, start-up promotion, etc.
- Tartu Biotechnology Park - services to biotechnology, medicine & veterinary companies and R&D institutions.
TALLINN CITY
Tallinn, the Capital of Estonia, has (together with the surrounding county) 530,000 inhabitants, over 50% of the Estonian GDP is produced and ca 80% of FDI invested in the region. In addition to the traditional branches - wood processing, furniture, food, building materials - the share of machinery and electronics has increased markedly.
Tallinn region is one of the shortest/cheapest sea+rail transit corridors between the West, North and East. Thanks to high quality logistics the Tallinn share in trade passing through Estonia is ca 85%. The Internet penetration among Tallinners is over 75%, that of the mobile phones - over 95%. Annually ca 3 million foreigners visit Tallinn, an attractive travel destination thanks to its rich cultural heritage, medieval Old Town, diverse cultural events, shopping opportunities.
Tallinn is a major national centre for education and R&D, hosting the University of Technology, Tallinn University, Academy of Arts, Estonian Business School, IT College, a number of smaller private universities/colleges and independent R&D Institutes, etc. Many vocational centres/schools are also located in the region.
INNOVATION AND R&D SUPPORT
At the national level, Enterprise Estonia Foundation is serving as the main public support body, with its granting instruments for enterprise and/or R&D institutions:
R&D Financing Grants (feasibility study, applied research, product development); SPINNO; Competence Centres; Start-Up Support; National Incubation Programme; Training Support; Business Consultancy Grant; Business Infrastructure Development Grant; Export Planning; Innovation Awareness, Innovation Audit, etc. The other relevant national-level entities are the Estonian Science Foundation (for basic research) and KredEx (enterprise loan guaratees).
In addition to that, the Tallinn Municipality has established its own SME Development Programme, including information & advisory services, training courses; grants for company start-up, employee training, professional fellowships; operation of two general business incubators.
MOST IMPORTANT SERVICES
Physical Infrastructure services:
- Rent of rooms and networks; maintenance; conference & meeting facilities; secretarial, accountancy, copying and other office services; catering, recreation/sports, social life.
Incubation services:
- Search/evaluation of entrepreneurs; primary business plan training; assistance in feasibility & market studies; mediation of special consultations; primary contacts with markets, partners & financial sources; monitoring, emergency help, mentoring.
Business development services:
- Marketing, finding cooperation partners; technology transfer: info, advice, brokerage; special advisory & training; search for funding: VC, loans, grants; mediation of quality workforce/subcontracting; mediation of R&D-services; PR and image support, publications.
Networking services:
- Organisation or info about events, services, support structures; participation in international cooperation networks, links with other parks/centres; development of innovation support staff; attraction of students to entrepreneurship; synergy creation among tenant companies.
LINKS TO IMPORTANT WEBSITES OF OUR REGION
http://www.einst.ee/ Estonia
http://www.tallinn.ee/eng Tallinn City
http://www.tallinn.ee/eng/g2618 Tallinn City Enterprise Board
http://www.mkm.ee/index.php?keel=en Ministry of Econ. Affairs + Commun.
http://www.eas.ee/?lang=eng Enterprise Estonia
http://www.ttu.ee/?lang=en Tallinn University of Technology
http://www.tehnopol.ee/?id=1077 TEHNOPOL Tallinn Technology Park