Start-up Grant

Start-up Grant is sponsored by Enterprise Estonia (EIS). This grant supports the creation of startups with growth potential in Estonia, encouraging job creation and sustainable revenue growth. It covers activities and expenses necessary to start a business.

The grant is provided on a standardized unit rate, with a support rate of 80%.

Kaasrahastanud Euroopa Liit kaksilogo, (EST) We support the creation of start-ups with growth potential We encourage start-ups to create jobs and contribute to sustainable revenue growth. Please read the Start-up Grant FAQ The application process for the grant is ongoing . The remaining budget balance not covered by the decisions of the application round and submitted applications as of 09.

06. 2026 is 2,921,428 euros. Before submitting an application, it is necessary to undergo pre-consultation at a regional development centre.

Who is the grant intended for? For starting entrepreneurs (companies up to 3 years old). The grant cannot be applied for activities in the following fields of activity .

More detailed information about the fields can be found here (in Estonian) Legal entities may hold up to 25% participation. Based on full-time equivalents, the company employs fewer than 10 people under employment contracts. The turnover in the financial year immediately preceding the year of application was €40,000 or less.

The turnover in the financial year of application, as of the end of the quarter immediately preceding the quarter of submission, was €40,000 or less. A shareholder must not have held or hold participation in, nor operate as an entrepreneur in, a company active in the same field of activity as the applicant during the 12 months immediately preceding the submission of the application.

A shareholder must not be a management board member of another company active in the same field of activity as the applicant. A management board member must not hold or have held participation in, nor be a management board member of, another company active in the same field of activity as the applicant during the 12 months immediately preceding the submission of the application.

Within the last three years, the applicant must not have received de minimis aid exceeding €300,000. The project contributes to maintaining the core principles and achieving the objectives of Estonia 2035 The grant can be used for carrying out the actions and activities necessary to start a business (all activities and related expenses required for starting a business).

The start-up grant does not include a fixed list of eligible and ineligible costs. It should be noted that only those activities and costs that do not significantly harm environmental objectives are eligible for support. Significant harm to environmental objectives under Article 17 can be found HERE.

Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EL) 2020/852 The grant is provided on the basis of a standardized unit rate (the unit being the start of business, with a unit cost of €25,000, of which the grant amounts to €20,000). The support rate is 80%, therefore the co-financing requirement is 20%. The project period is 24 months.

Establishment of companies with growth potential Growth potential – the capacity to achieve a turnover which, for an entrepreneur located in the Tallinn and Tartu urban areas, is at least €80,000 in the final year of the project eligibility period, and at least €40,000 in the rest of Estonia. Creation of at least one full-time equivalent job under an employment contract, with payment of the applicable minimum wage.

You can find the slides of the start-up grant information session (in Estonian) and the video (in Estonian) Pre-consultation at the regional development centre Before submitting an application, it is mandatory to undergo pre-consultation and obtain a preliminary assessment at the local regional development centre. After that, the application can be submitted in the e-support environment.

Before completing the documents required for pre-consultation, please contact the business consultant of the regional development centre (contacts below).

For pre-consultation, please prepare the following documents: Business plan (digitally signed by the entrepreneur) CVs / résumés (of shareholders and management board members) The regional development centre conducting the pre-consultation will prepare a digitally signed assessment within 30 days of the submission of the above-mentioned documents. This assessment serves as proof of the completion of the pre-consultation.

Please contact the business consultant of the appropriate regional development centre: Harjumaa, including Tallinn The application can be compiled and submitted in the online E-toetus environment Grant can be applied only in Estonian language. After completing the pre-consultation, the application can be submitted via the e-support environment.

In addition to the application, the following documents (all in Estonian) must be submitted: Sample application form Application completion guide Preliminary assessment (digitally signed by a regional development centre employee) Balance sheet and income statement as of the end of the quarter immediately preceding the application submission (if the company has no activity, then a zero balance sheet) CVs / résumés (of shareholders and management board members) Power of attorney sample (if the signatory of the application is not a representative of the applicant) Video guide to the e-support environment Evaluation of the application We use artificial intelligence to assess eligible applications.

The final decision on whether or not to fund projects is made by the EIS. The deadline for processing applications is 20 working days from the date of submission.

The evaluation criteria and their weight in the overall score are as follows: Compliance of the project with sectoral development plans and its impact on achieving the specific objective of the implementation plan and the objectives of the measure Justification of the project Cost-effectiveness of the project Capacity of the applicant to implement the project, which is further divided into: 50% Applicant's financial capacity and risk management; 50% Competence of the applicant’s team Compliance of the project with the principles and objectives of “Estonia 2035” We recommend reviewing the selection methodology before preparing the application to ensure that all aspects to be assessed are correctly reflected in the project.

Selection methodology (in Estonian) Compliance with the publicity requirement Having received a grant, you have an obligation to inform the public about the use of the grant. Notification of the Funding A poster must be placed at the location of the project. The poster must be at least A3 in size and must include the logo “Co-financed by the European Union”, which must occupy at least 25 percent of the poster’s surface area.

In addition, the name or brief description of the project. The poster must be displayed during the project’s eligibility period. Genereeri plakat Logo failid If the company has a website, it must also publish the logo with the words “Co-financed by the European Union”, a short description of the project, its objective, result and the amount of support.

Project implementation – first instalment of the grant The beneficiary shall submit an interim report in the e-support environment. The interim report must be submitted within four months of the decision approving the application. The interim report must demonstrate the creation of one full-time equivalent job within three months of the approval decision.

An employment contract signed by both parties An extract from the Employment Register (TÖR) concerning the job related to the employment contract (available from the Estonian Tax and Customs Board e-services). More detailed information on employment registration can be found on the website of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. After the interim report has been approved, the first instalment of the grant (€15,000) will be disbursed.

If the job has not been created, the grant will not be paid out. Sample report form (for projects submitted from 2026) Sample report form (for projects submitted earlier) Verification of project results – second instalment of the grant The beneficiary shall submit the final report in the e-support environment. The final report must be submitted within 30 calendar days after the end of the project eligibility period.

The final report must demonstrate that the created full-time equivalent job has been paid at least the applicable minimum wage and that the growth potential has been achieved.

The following must be submitted: Submit Form TSD Annex 1, or in the case of declared remuneration paid to a non-resident, Form TSD Annex 2, as well as the employment contract signed by both parties (if it was submitted with the interim report, it does not need to be submitted again). Forms TSD Annex 1 and Annex 2 can be obtained from the Estonian Tax and Customs Board’s e-service.

Income statements (to prove the turnover generated from the project’s field of activity during the second eligible project year). After the approval of the final report, the second instalment of the grant (€5,000) will be disbursed.

Sample report form (for projects submitted from 2026) Sample report form (for projects submitted earlier) You can find the slides of the start-up grant information session (in Estonian) and the video (in Estonian) Pre-consultation at the regional development centre Before submitting an application, it is mandatory to undergo pre-consultation and obtain a preliminary assessment at the local regional development centre.

After that, the application can be submitted in the e-support environment. Before completing the documents required for pre-consultation, please contact the business consultant of the regional development centre (contacts below).

For pre-consultation, please prepare the following documents: Business plan (digitally signed by the entrepreneur) CVs / résumés (of shareholders and management board members) The regional development centre conducting the pre-consultation will prepare a digitally signed assessment within 30 days of the submission of the above-mentioned documents. This assessment serves as proof of the completion of the pre-consultation.

Please contact the business consultant of the appropriate regional development centre: Harjumaa, including Tallinn The application can be compiled and submitted in the online E-toetus environment Grant can be applied only in Estonian language. After completing the pre-consultation, the application can be submitted via the e-support environment.

In addition to the application, the following documents (all in Estonian) must be submitted: Sample application form Application completion guide Preliminary assessment (digitally signed by a regional development centre employee) Balance sheet and income statement as of the end of the quarter immediately preceding the application submission (if the company has no activity, then a zero balance sheet) CVs / résumés (of shareholders and management board members) Power of attorney sample (if the signatory of the application is not a representative of the applicant) Video guide to the e-support environment Evaluation of the application We use artificial intelligence to assess eligible applications.

The final decision on whether or not to fund projects is made by the EIS. The deadline for processing applications is 20 working days from the date of submission.

The evaluation criteria and their weight in the overall score are as follows: Compliance of the project with sectoral development plans and its impact on achieving the specific objective of the implementation plan and the objectives of the measure Justification of the project Cost-effectiveness of the project Capacity of the applicant to implement the project, which is further divided into: 50% Applicant's financial capacity and risk management; 50% Competence of the applicant’s team Compliance of the project with the principles and objectives of “Estonia 2035” We recommend reviewing the selection methodology before preparing the application to ensure that all aspects to be assessed are correctly reflected in the project.

Selection methodology (in Estonian) Compliance with the publicity requirement Having received a grant, you have an obligation to inform the public about the use of the grant. Notification of the Funding A poster must be placed at the location of the project. The poster must be at least A3 in size and must include the logo “Co-financed by the European Union”, which must occupy at least 25 percent of the poster’s surface area.

In addition, the name or brief description of the project. The poster must be displayed during the project’s eligibility period. Genereeri plakat Logo failid If the company has a website, it must also publish the logo with the words “Co-financed by the European Union”, a short description of the project, its objective, result and the amount of support.

Project implementation – first instalment of the grant The beneficiary shall submit an interim report in the e-support environment. The interim report must be submitted within four months of the decision approving the application. The interim report must demonstrate the creation of one full-time equivalent job within three months of the approval decision.

An employment contract signed by both parties An extract from the Employment Register (TÖR) concerning the job related to the employment contract (available from the Estonian Tax and Customs Board e-services). More detailed information on employment registration can be found on the website of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. After the interim report has been approved, the first instalment of the grant (€15,000) will be disbursed.

If the job has not been created, the grant will not be paid out. Sample report form (for projects submitted from 2026) Sample report form (for projects submitted earlier) Verification of project results – second instalment of the grant The beneficiary shall submit the final report in the e-support environment. The final report must be submitted within 30 calendar days after the end of the project eligibility period.

The final report must demonstrate that the created full-time equivalent job has been paid at least the applicable minimum wage and that the growth potential has been achieved.

The following must be submitted: Submit Form TSD Annex 1, or in the case of declared remuneration paid to a non-resident, Form TSD Annex 2, as well as the employment contract signed by both parties (if it was submitted with the interim report, it does not need to be submitted again). Forms TSD Annex 1 and Annex 2 can be obtained from the Estonian Tax and Customs Board’s e-service.

Income statements (to prove the turnover generated from the project’s field of activity during the second eligible project year). After the approval of the final report, the second instalment of the grant (€5,000) will be disbursed.

Sample report form (for projects submitted from 2026) Sample report form (for projects submitted earlier) Please include the company name, planned activities, investment needs, and a short overview of your idea when contacting us. This helps us assist you more effectively. Before reaching out, please review the support conditions.

For quick communication, you can find the chatbot in the bottom right corner of the page. Please read the Start-up Grant FAQ Discover which projects we have supported over the years and to what extent. INTERVIEW | Kristel Oitmaa now leads EIS’s Brussels office.

How does she help Estonian companies make better use of European opportunities? Kristel Oitmaa, the new head of Enterprise Estonia’s (EIS) Brussels office, helps Estonian companies better understand and use opportunities related to EU research and development — whether it is funding, strategic information, international cooperation, or access to key networks.

In this interview, Kristel explains what the Brussels office actually does, what her role involves, and what Estonian companies can do to become more visible at the European level. While EIS export advisors focus on market entry, Kristel supports Estonian companies in navigating the European strategic landscape.

She helps them use European opportunities in a more informed and effective way, ensuring Ettevõtluse ja Innovatsiooni Sihtasutus Startup Estonia takes Estonian deep tech startups to Singapore This October, Estonian deep tech startups will head to Singapore as part of Startup Estonia’s Nordic Deep Tech Valley program to take part in the Nordic Singapore Innovation Days 2025 — a joint initiative with Finland and Sweden.

According to Kati Pärn, Nordic Partnerships Lead at Startup Estonia, the event will connect Nordic startups with Singaporean corporations and investors to foster business opportunities and partnerships in green and sustainable innovation.

“Our aim is to provide Estonian startups operating in the complex and highly competitive deep tech sector with a concrete opportunity to secure new investors, partners, and clients in Asian Ettevõtluse ja Innovatsiooni Sihtasutus Cross-Border Innovation: Building a Stronger Nordic–Baltic Defence Ecosystem At Estonian Defence Week, one of the most thought-provoking sessions was the panel on Cross-Border Innovation Cooperation, featuring insights from Jaan Kokk (Superangel), Kati Pärn (Startup Estonia), and Mika Rantakokko (VTT Finland).

The discussion highlighted the urgent need for regional collaboration in defence innovation and the unique strengths that Estonia and Finland bring to the table. Estonia + Finland = Regional Superpower? Estonia’s agility and experimental mindset, especially in the startup sector, complements Finland’s structured and stability-focused approach.

This synergy creates a powerful foundation for joint innovation programs, particularly in defence and dual-use technologies. As Kati Pärn noted, “Estonia is Ettevõtluse ja Innovatsiooni Sihtasutus Estonian Deeptech Delegation Visits Cambridge Tech Week From September 15–19, representatives of Estonia’s deeptech startup ecosystem visited Cambridge Tech Week to explore what makes Cambridge the UK’s leading hub for science-based spinouts.

The Estonian delegation included Mariann Proos and Inga Kõue from Startup Estonia, Kadri Sundja from UniTartu Ventures, Mihkel Tammo from the University of Tartu, and Rasmus Kalep from Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech). The goal of the visit was to learn from Cambridge’s experience and bring back insights to strengthen Estonia’s own science-based entrepreneurship landscape.

Key Takeaways Cambridge’s success didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of 30 years of intentional ecosystem building, strategic decisions, and Ettevõtluse ja Innovatsiooni Sihtasutus Estonia at the Global Innovation Summit 2025 – Elevating Baltic Innovation on the Global Stage Estonia is proud to be part of the EUREKA network – the world’s largest public platform supporting international innovation collaboration.

This year marks a significant milestone as Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania will jointly co-organize the Baltic session at the Global Innovation Summit 2025 (GIS), taking place on 2nd of April in Germany, as part of Hannover Messe. The joint effort highlights the growing strength of the Baltic innovation ecosystem and the region’s ambition to foster deeper international collaboration.

GIS is one of the most important annual events within the EUREKA framework, co-hosted by the current chairs Germany and Canada in Ettevõtluse ja Innovatsiooni Sihtasutus Considering the gender aspect is relevant when the solution developed within the project is aimed at people and may have different impacts on women and men (for example, in the development of medicines).

If a differentiated impact is possible, the gender dimension must be taken into account in the implementation of activities, and the project contributes to the Gender Equality Index. Sooline mõõde teadustöös – Eesti Teadusagentuur For Researchers in Science, Medicine, and Engineering | Gendered Innovations The project also contributes to promoting gender equality if the project team follows the principle of gender balance.

If there is no need to consider the gender dimension in the implementation of activities, if the project team does not aim for gender balance, or if the activities do not otherwise promote gender equality, then the project does not contribute to this indicator.

2) Caring and Cooperation Indicator If the solution developed within the project is aimed at supporting risk groups (elderly, people with disabilities, etc.), it contributes to the Caring and Cooperation Indicator. A caring society is attentive and supportive. Everyone has the opportunity for self-fulfilment throughout their life, with the necessary support networks in place.

Work, family, and private life are supported in balance; everyone participates in social and cultural activities regardless of age, and people’s well-being is improved. A cooperative society is based on a sense of belonging and people’s readiness to actively contribute to achieving shared goals and creating common benefits.

Every individual, family, community, and civil society organisation can and wants to participate in shaping society and cooperating. 3) Accessibility Indicator If the solution developed within the project is intended for use by the general public, accessibility for people with special needs must also be ensured. In such cases, the project contributes to the Accessibility Indicator.

4) Gross Domestic Product per Capita Outside Harju County Compared to the EU-27 Average The project activities take place outside Harju County. Economic revenue in euros generated per kilogram of material.

For the purposes of this regulation, the environmental objectives are the following: a) mitigation of climate change; b) adaptation to climate change; c) sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources; d) transition to a circular economy; e) prevention and control of pollution; f) protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems. Keskkonnaeesmärkide oluline kahjustamine Keskkonnaeesmärkide oluline kahjustamine 1.

Artikli 3 punkti b kohaldamisel, võttes arvesse majandustegevuses pakutavate toodete olelusringi ja teenuseid, sealhulgas olemasolevatest olelusringi hindamistest saadud tõendeid, loetakse, et kõnealune majandustegevus kahjustab a) kliimamuutuste leevendamist, kui majandustegevus põhjustab olulist kasvuhoonegaaside heidet; b) kliimamuutustega kohanemist, kui majandustegevus põhjustab praeguse kliima ja eeldatava tulevase kliima kahjuliku mõju suurenemist tegevusele endale või inimestele, loodusele või varadele; c) vee- ja mereressursside kestlikku kasutamist ja kaitset, kui majandustegevus kahjustab i) veekogude, sealhulgas pinna- ja põhjavee head seisundit või head ökoloogilist potentsiaali, või ii) mereala head keskkonnaseisundit; d) ringmajandust, mis hõlmab jäätmetekke vältimist ja jäätmete ringlussevõttu, kui i) majandustegevus põhjustab toodete olelusringi ühes või mitmes etapis olulist ebatõhusust materjalide kasutamisel või selliste loodusvarade nagu mittetaastuvate energiaallikate, tooraine, vee ja pinnase otsesel või kaudsel kasutamisel, sealhulgas toodete vastupidavuse, parandatavuse, uuendatavuse, korduskasutuse või ringlussevõetavuse ii) majandustegevus suurendab oluliselt jäätmete teket, põletamist või kõrvaldamist, välja arvatud ringlussevõe tamatute ohtlike jäätmete põletamine, või iii) jäätmete pikaajaline kõrvaldamine võib oluliselt ja pikaajaliselt kahjustada keskkonda; e) saastuse vältimist ja tõrjet, kui majandustegevus põhjustab õhku, vette ja pinnasesse juhitava saasteheite olulist suurenemist võrreldes enne majandustegevusega alustamist valitsenud olukorraga, või f) elurikkuse ja ökosüsteemide kaitset ja taastamist, kui majandustegevus i) kahjustab märkimisväärselt ökosüsteemide head seisundit ja vastupidavust või ii) kahjustab elupaikade ja liikide, sealhulgas liidu tähtsusega liikide kaitsestaatust.

2. Majandustegevuse hindamisel lõikes 1 sätestatud kriteeriumide alusel võetakse arvesse nii majandustegevuse enda keskkonnamõju kui ka majandustegevuses pakutavate toodete ja teenuste keskkonnamõju kogu nende olelusringi jooksul, eelkõige arvestades nende toodete ja teenuste tootmist, kasutamist ja olelusringi lõppu. Fields of activity ineligible for support New EMTAK 2025 from 01.

01. 2025 As of 1 January 2025, a new classification of economic activities, EMTAK 2025, has entered into force. From this date, the activity code according to EMTAK 2025 must be selected when submitting an initial registration to the register and in annual reports.

The list of economic activities not eligible for support has been updated in accordance with EMTAK 2025: Agriculture, forestry and fishing (EMTAK 2008 Section A) / (EMTAK 2025 Section A); Intermediation, wholesale and retail trade (EMTAK 2008 Section G), except for maintenance and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles / (EMTAK 2025 Section G); Real estate activities (EMTAK 2008 Section L) / (EMTAK 2025 Section M); Manufacture of tobacco products (EMTAK 2008 Section C 120) / (EMTAK 2025 Section C 120); Gambling and betting activities (EMTAK 2008 Section R 920) / (EMTAK 2025 Section S 920); Financial and insurance activities (EMTAK 2008 Section K) / (EMTAK 2025 Section L); Legal activities and accounting (EMTAK 2008 Section M 69) / (EMTAK 2025 Section N 69), head office activities and management consultancy (EMTAK 2008 Section M 70) / (EMTAK 2025 Section N 70), advertising (including digital advertising) and market research (EMTAK 2008 Section M 739) / (EMTAK 2025 Section N 73, renamed as advertising, market research and public relations); Renting and leasing and temporary employment agency activities (EMTAK 2008 Section N 77) / (EMTAK 2025 Section O 77) and EMTAK 2008 Section N 782) / (EMTAK 2025 Section O 782, renamed as labour leasing and other employment services); Office administration, office support and other business support activities (EMTAK 2008 Section N 82) / (EMTAK 2025 Section O 82), other education (EMTAK 2008 Section P 855) / (EMTAK 2025 Section Q 855, renamed as other learning), other human health activities not elsewhere classified (86909, except for physiotherapy, psychoanalysis, psychology and psychotherapy, speech therapy, nutritional counselling, weight control counselling, occupational health therapy) / (EMTAK 2025 Section R 86992, except for speech therapy, podiatry/chiropody; EMTAK 2025 Section R 86961); Mining of hard coal and lignite (EMTAK 2008 Section B 05) / (EMTAK 2025 Section B 05), extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas and support activities for petroleum and natural gas extraction (EMTAK 2008 Section B 06 and B 091) / (EMTAK 2025 Section B 06 and B 091), and manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (EMTAK 2008 Section C 19) / (EMTAK 2025 Section C 19).

Intermediation refers to the activity of an intermediary, broker or trader who brings together sellers and buyers, arranges business transactions on behalf of another party, and sales through auctions. " (*) " indicates required fields This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Please describe your needs or objectives when contacting us, and tell us the specific conditions you have questions about.

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