University of Tartu presents research-intensive business ideas at Demo Day

A testing platform for self-driving cars, using microbes to eliminate nitrogen pollution, a wood putty that facilitates plywood production, and a spray bottle that turns tap water into a disinfectant – these are just a few examples of the solutions being developed by University of Tartu researchers that will impact our everyday lives in the near future.

On Thursday, 16 June, at the Demo Day at the University of Tartu Delta Centre, the university's researchers will present to prospective partners and investors nearly 30 development ideas that have the potential to become products and services that facilitate our everyday lives. Some ideas are still in the experimental stage, while others are already being implemented in new or operating start-ups.

The University of Tartu has set the goal to support the development of knowledge-based entrepreneurship that creates high economic added value. One way to do this is to encourage researchers to start their own businesses. According to Kristel Reim, head of the university's Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the university has been developing a corresponding support system for the past four years.

"We offer our researchers grants from the Feasibility Fund to help them bring their research results to market. We also involve around 20 researchers and teams each year in the spin-off programme, supporting the creation and development of research-based companies. The university's investment company UniTartu Ventures helps mature start-ups leap forward and facilitates the search for investors. In addition, we have established close links with the science parks and the start-up community to ensure that young research-intensive companies have the best possible support network," explained Reim.

The University of Tartu Demo Day starts at 11:00 on 16 June in the academic and research building of the Delta Centre. Entrepreneurial researchers will first present their projects to the audience. This will be followed by pre-arranged individual meetings to find new partners and opportunities for collaboration. The university's partners, entrepreneurs, investors and journalists are most welcome to the Demo Day to learn about our researchers' business ideas.

See the overview of the presenters of the Demo Day and, if you wish, sign up for an individual meeting.

On the photo: RedoxNRG, the University of Tartu spin-off company, who makes green fuel from CO₂ removed from the air, introduces its work in more detail at the University Demo Day.