UniTartu Ventures - from university research to global market breakthroughs
We team up with early-stage deep tech investors and the University of Tartu-linked researchers, startups and spin-offs
Simplifying the path from research to market
UniTartu Ventures offers a clear roadmap for turning university research into successful businesses:
- Mentorship for business growth and teamwork.
- Creating strategies to protect and use your intellectual property effectively.
- Getting your startup investment-ready.
- Bringing in co-investors committed to long-term success.
We invest in university research with an 'IP-for-equity' model, ensuring that groundbreaking ideas have the backing they need.
In collaboration with the University of Tartu's Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, we're not just investors but partners for sustainable growth. We look for co-investors who match our commitment, paving the way for financial support now and in the future.
Founders
We invest in companies founded by faculty, researchers, and graduate students. We are looking for a solid team with the ambition to grow and scale. UniTartu Ventures is focusing on early-stage start-ups.
Deep tech Focus
Life sciences, processing & computing, food & agriTech, energy & cleanTech, infrastructure.
Ambitious uniqueness
Intellectual knowledge-based uniqueness with a global market potential.
Highlighted Teams
Gearbox Biosciences
Develops a new type of production strains for industrial recombinant protein production.
Up Catalyst
Focuses on turning the harmful greenhouse gas CO2 into valuable carbon nanomaterials and graphite.
Vectiopep
Masters tissue-specific RNA delivery for efficient cancer immunotherapy.
Silklytics
Develops low-cost chemical tests to help simplify analysis with microfluidics technologies.
Better Medicine
Equipped with Artificial Intelligence, it enables doctors to diagnose and fight cancer in more efficient and accurate ways.
“In ten years, Estonia has achieved an excellent position in developing startups in IT. Now we are aiming to upscale the creation of innovative international companies based on research done also in other fields. The timing is right and the expert knowledge of the researchers of the University of Tartu is the best intellectual capital for investing.”
- Heidi Kakko, Chair of Board, UniTartu Ventures
Team
Mart Maasik
CEO
Anni Sinijärv
COO
Katariina Kordemets
Associate
Inka Mero
Investment Committee Member
Founder and Managing Partner at Voima Ventures
Kärt Siilats
Investment Committee Member
Co-Founder & General Partner at
Kaidi Ruusalepp
Investment Committee Member
Founder & CEO at Funderbeam
Lars Jonsson
Investment Committee Member
Ex General Manager at Uppsala Uni Holding
Cengiz Tarhan
Investment Committee Member
Director at Tarhan Associates Limited
Supervisory Board
Heidi Kakko, Kalle Hein, Mari Moora,Tõnu Esko, Vahur Kraft
Contact UniTartu Ventures
Interested in partnering with us? Fill out the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.