Tartu – City of Smart Entrepreneurship
“Tartu has something that many other cities do not have - a well-working cooperation between universities, local government and private sector. We are all putting a lot of effort into creating an effective ecosystem for entrepreneurship and living. Come and see for yourselves� - Urmas Klaas Mayor of Tartu
Tartu’s aim is to become better each day, while always remaining true to ourselves
Innovation in the interest of the community Smart City
In a situation where many cities in the world are arms racing with technology to become “smart”, Tartu has always set its focus towards people. Understanding the needs of our citizens is utmost. Tartu embodies wisdom and therefore boasts an excellent climate for business. We want to become part of the global economy and culture, but at the same time maintain our core values - greenery, compactness and safety. The Tartu Language of Smartness is a way of thinking we need to spread across our community members and also outside of this wonderful city. This gives us the possibility to create the best city to live in.
Tartu – Smart City since 1632 Smart City Tartu lies on six pillars: governance, mobility, economy, environment, people and living. Whether it’s participatory governance or participative budgeting, we have opened the decision processes to our citizens and also act as a testbed for innovative technological solutions around the city. Tartu has a strong and prosperous community with various incubators, research institutions and the startup ecosystem. Companies value our open business environment and scientific entrepreneurship; people our greenery, milieu and living environment. We have always been at the forefront of adapting technology – in 2019, the city introduced a data-based public transportation network along with a new bicycle network with electrical rental bikes.
Tartu is the centre of Estonian research and development with its internationally renowned universities
Breaking new grounds in ‌ Invest in Tartu
Tartu is a city that promotes innovation via competitive enterprises, an attractive investment environment and the facilitation of entrepreneurship and knowledge-based production and services. Tartu is a city in constant motion, empowered by innovative changes with a substantial influence on citizens´ welfare and business growth. The region’s infrastructure has been extensively updated and Tartu and Tartu County administrations are cooperating in the development strategies and detailed action plans to maximize potential and maintain a rapid tempo for city and county development. Tartu County is striving to be become a region of smart factories and startup capital of the Baltics.
Tartu has the goal to become the startup capital with 5000 startups Long traditions and high competence in metalworking, electronics, information and communication technologies, wood processing and biotechnology have made our enterprises internationally competitive.
Leading the education and research in Estonia Education
Human capital has served as the driving force of our growth over the centuries. Our well-functioning education system and high standard of R&D institutes are recognized worldwide. Our city has 11 higher education institutions with over 15,000 local and 1,000 foreign students, conducting internationally recognized research and providing world-class research-based higher education. The University of Tartu is among the top 400 universities (321) in the world and also one of the oldest in North-eastern Europe. Estonian University of Life Sciences is one of the top 100 universities in the world in the field of agriculture and forestry. The research institutions here practically represent all the trends and fields of science in Estonia. Since 2001, we have been the seat of the Ministry of Education of Estonia.
Tartu is Estonia’s leading centre of education and research
More than 60% of the total Estonian research potential is concentrated in Tartu
Tartu is home for sTARTUp Day, the leading early-stage business festival in the region
Ever-growing sTARTUp culture in Tartu Startups
Being well-known for its exciting and successful startup culture, Estonia is the leading ICT nation in Europe. Moreover, we have the highest number of startup unicorns per capita in the world. Having a startup mindset in Tartu’s DNA, our ambition is to become the top centre for startups in the Nordic countries. Our biggest strength lies in a successful and unique cooperation between universities, local government and private sector. Bright talents with creative and innovative ideas are the cornerstone of our city’s success. Our startup ecosystem can be best described as collaborative, supportive and open. The constantly growing and evolving startup scene has already had its first success stories like Click & Grow, SprayPrinter, Fractory and eAgronom.
There is always TARTU in sTARTUp In addition to sTARTUp Day, the biggest business festival in the region, many other relevant events are consistently held. The co-working spaces of SPARK Hub and sTARTUp HUB have become the home to many startups. Miraculously, almost all of the institutions that are connected with startups are located in about a kilometre wide area around the heart of city centre what we know as the Silicon Alley of Tartu.
Tartu was the ďŹ rst city in the world to introduce mobile parking
Busy building the future of ICT ICT
Estonia as a digital nation is a frontrunner in the world regarding ICT solutions. Tartu, with our talented minds and ambitious entrepreneurs, offers all the benefits of e-Estonia and Smart City Tartu. The rapidly growing ICT ecosystem has attracted the attention of venture capitalists as well as foreign ICT companies. Our ICT and electronics sector is characterized by a few leading companies like Playtech, Mobi Lab, Nortal, Mooncascade, Fortumo and many eager startups. The favourable environment towards ICT has allowed huge companies like Skype, Taxify and Pipedrive to open their development centres here.
Tartu has always been an ICT development trendsetter The key strengths of the sector include successful spin-off companies, a highly qualified workforce, and a professional and functioning co-operation network between universities, research centres and companies. The ecosystem is also supported by several technological institutions like Tartu Science Park and the Smart City Lab cluster.
Biotechnology accounts for a quarter of all the science funding in Estonia
Outstanding medical and biotechnological hub Biotech
Biotechnology is defined as one of the strategic key sectors in Estonia with Tartu being its centre of the medical and biotechnological landscape. This is thanks to the University of Tartu, which is the largest university in Estonia and the hotspot for biotechnological science, research and development, focusing on genetics, cancer, neuroscience and many other related fields. Our city has a well-developed network of clinics which collaborate closely with the research and development institutions as well as other companies. Specialists for the rapidly growing sector are provided by the University of Tartu, the Estonian University of Life Sciences and the Tartu School of Health Care.
Tartu is the most developed and innovative region in biotechnology and related ďŹ elds We have declared biotechnology as one of our city’s focus areas in the strategy. The city is supporting incubation activities of Tartu Biotechnology Park, a privately owned science park that has been providing physical infrastructure as well as business development and consultancy services to companies and R&D institutions in the fields of biotechnology, medicine and veterinary medicine for more than 15 years.
Tartu metal companies offer world class quality products with in-house prototyping
Metal companies with a global reach Metal
Expertise, international linkages and traditions characterize the metalworking and machine-building industry in Tartu region. The sector varies from historically string agricultural and forestry machines and apparatus building to new groups of production with car parts and trailers. What makes metal industry so successful in Tartu region is our heritage in this sector. Companies in the region think and act smart so they can stay ahead of the competition. Customers today want products that are safely produced, environmentally-neutral and manufactured with far less energy and material throughout the value chain. They also want them faster and cheaper than ever before. Smart manufacturing and compatible curriculums in University and vocational schools are the key elements to stay ahead of competitors.
Metal industry is the third largest industry in Estonia The sector is led by strong and successful export-oriented companies like METEC, Hanza Mechanics. The proximity to support services, closeness of research and development, compatible curriculums in universities and vocational schools enable the easy access to highly educated engineers, semi-industrial labs and equipment.
Forests cover 51% of Estonia’s land territory
A forest nation goes innovative Wood
Wood processing has historically been a mainstay of the Estonian economy, and its output is based on local and renewable raw materials. Similar to the technological leap made in other sectors of the economy, the flow of new investment has brought state-ofthe-art equipment to all areas of the wood processing industry. The range of wood industry products is extensive, beginning with the production and treatment of sawn timber and leading to the production of wooden houses, windows, and doors. Creative thinking and innovations are helping to break traditions in the wood industry—Estonian design accessories like bowties, watches and frames for glasses are becoming increasingly popular.
Estonia exports nearly 2 billion euros worth of wood-based products each year The sector is led by strong and successful export-oriented companies like Kodumaja and Lemeks Grupp. The closeness of research and development, competence centres, proximity to raw materials and innovative solutions will continue to drive the wood industry also in the future.
Tartu region is the food pantry of Estonia
Offering a rich and diverse food culture Food
Food production is an essential part of the manufacturing industry in Estonia. Our most important branches are dairy, beverage, meat and bread industries. Being international, our exports make up about one-third of the total production volume. Many of the producers offer healthy and ecologically friendly products – a strength of the well-preserved nature and welldeveloped agriculture in Tartu County. The food industry here is mainly characterized by a few leading manufacturing companies like A. Le Coq, Salvest and Tartu Mill. Though, small-scale producers like Andre Cheese Farm and Pühaste Brewery are emerging and enriching the local food market. A wide variety of places from small cosy cafes to excellent awardwinning restaurants can be found all over the city. Our well-known food events like “Maitsev Tartu” and “Tartu Food and Wine Festival” are just a small glimpse of the rich choice the city has to offer.
Tartu region has a strategic goal for developing healthy food products
The balance between the past and the future is an essential part of the celebrated spirit of Tartu
A diverse city where history and the future meet Culture
Alongside a business-friendly environment, which values taking initiative as well as responsibility, a vibrant cultural life attracts entrepreneurs from all over the world. Not to mention smart, skilful and dynamic people to work with. Being the oldest city in Estonia, Tartu successfully combines modern infrastructure and facilities with a green and friendly environment. A serene park with medieval ruins and a river running through the city give it a romantic allure. Part of its appeal is the way Tartu blends old and new. Walking through the city, one can literally touch its history, at the same time feeling a renewed energy and curiosity about what the future will bring. At every corner in Tartu, there are concert venues, exhibition halls, theatres, churches, museums and charming little cafes as well as various pubs and restaurants. An inseparable part of the city is its students, who comprise around a quarter of the population and generate a lot of fun and energy. There is a lively cultural scene with something for every taste. Exciting events and festivals take place all year round.
A well-organized European Capital of Culture brings signiďŹ cant economic beneďŹ ts to the region In 2019, Tartu will run for the title of European Capital of Culture 2024. Tartu and Southern Estonia are bold and ambitious enough to reach for the next level by keeping in mind that the vibrant cultural life attracts entrepreneurs from all over the world.