Tallinn invites companies to test their sustainable innovation solutions in the capital city

Today Mayor of Tallinn Mihhail Kõlvart launched the Test in Tallinn initiative to welcome companies around the world to test their smart solutions on the streets of Tallinn in three focus areas: mobility, energy efficiency and renewable energy.

European Green Capital 2023 Tallinn and Estonia already have a positive image both in terms of the ease of doing business, the creation and growth environment for start-up companies and digital society in general, Mayor Mihhail Kõlvart said, adding: “The strength of Tallinn is our smallness, flexibility, and the technological openness of society. Today we will proactively launch our city as a test platform for both international and domestic companies.”

“Solving the urban challenge is crucial to reach global climate goals and cities have a key role to play in the transition to a low carbon economy. We invite anyone around the world to come and build or try out their ground-breaking new ideas, prototypes, or products. We commit to find the best options and support for the companies,” Mayor Kõlvart concluded.

The city’s partner in the Test in Tallinn initiative is Tehnopol Science and Business Park. Indrek Orav, the CEO said that they offer the companies all-round support to operate while in Tallinn. “Tehnopol’s indisputable strength is that we offer a company a complete system supporting its development. We offer business-promoting advice from top mentors from Estonia and abroad, and a very good environment for testing, as well as an office space that suits each company’s needs. All companies operating in our campus know that innovation is born here, and it’s OK if things don’t work perfectly right away, because mistakes are the basis of innovation,” said Orav.

With Test in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia has taken on the ambition to make the city an attractive business environment where various sustainable technologies can be tested, with the aim of helping both domestic and foreign companies to reach other urban environments globally with their products and services.

The main test areas have been chosen by the city as the areas with the greatest impact and legislative readiness, and where today’s cooperation between the city and local entrepreneurs has been the most effective: mobility, energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The city allows tests on a case-by-case basis. After analysing and validating the proposal with city officials and experts our ways of participating in the implementation of tests include e.g. assigning the right location or service unit for the tests and involving city professionals, staff and/or customer groups (if needed) in the test. Find out more about the Test in Tallinn initiative, how to submit the test proposal and details of the process, visit www.tallinnovation.ee/testintallinn.

Estonian companies that shared their experience and participated in the demo day during the launch event: Clevon, R8 Technologies, EyeVi Technologies, 10Lines, AuveTech and Starship Technologies. You can find their videos here.

The launch of the new initiative can be rewatched on YouTube.