If you had to explain deep tech entrepreneurship to someone who has not encountered it before, at what point does it become a deep tech company rather than just an IT startup?

The boundary can be somewhat blurry sometimes. The key characteristics become clearer when comparing a deep tech company with a conventional IT or technology company. In the case of deep tech, the technology is clearly novel and often breakthrough in nature, and it is usually based on a recent scientific discovery or long-term research and development work. Scientific intensity is embedded in this type of company from the very beginning.

In some cases, deep tech also includes situations where the technology already exists but is applied in a completely novel way. Still, the main distinguishing feature remains a strong scientific foundation and a substantial research and development component that enables the creation of a new technological solution.

At what stage of development is Estonia’s deep tech ecosystem today, in your view?

Overall, Estonia’s deep tech ecosystem is currently at a relatively early stage of development. A large share of activity has grown out of universities, and the ecosystem has a strong academic background. Compared to some other countries, where deep tech companies emerge both from universities and from existing industry, Estonia has so far been dominated by university-based initiatives.

At the same time, there is clear and steady growth. The deep tech sector is developing and gradually becoming more mature. Revenues have increased year by year, and compared to previous years, total turnover has grown noticeably. However, this growth is currently driven mainly by a relatively small number of larger companies, and revenues are not yet evenly distributed across the sector.

From an investment perspective, deep tech has a significant share within Estonia’s startup sector. Broadly, half of total startup investments are made into deep tech companies, indicating that investor interest exists and that the sector has clear potential.

In summary, Estonia’s deep tech ecosystem is still in an early phase of development, but it is clearly moving in a positive and growth-oriented direction. Systems are still taking shape, overall volumes are not yet very large, but trends show that the sector is developing, strengthening, and gradually maturing over time.

What impact do you see the Deep Tech Startup Network having on Estonia’s ecosystem?

In my view, one of the most important impacts of the Deep Tech Startup Network is the creation of greater systemic clarity. Above all, it helps to make the path from ideas and knowledge generated in universities and research institutions to commercialization more transparent. Through the network, a clear system emerges that shows where to turn with an idea, where to get support, and how to move forward.

Second, the network plays an important role in raising awareness. This is not aimed so much at the general public, but primarily at researchers and those already operating within the deep tech field. The network helps to establish the understanding that science-based entrepreneurship is a real and viable option, and that there is support and a framework in place for pursuing it.

Overall, the impact of the network lies mainly in creating a supportive environment and a sense of confidence. It builds the understanding that deep tech entrepreneurship is not a random or isolated effort, but part of a broader system where ideas can move forward, develop, and reach practical applications.

If we look ahead to 2030 and the goal of reaching 500 deep tech companies, what should we be doing already today?

In my view, the quality of companies is more important than the number itself. The more deep tech companies are created, the higher the likelihood that viable and successful businesses will emerge among them. However, simply hitting a numerical target should not be the goal in itself.

What matters is that companies emerge with functioning business models, real customers, export capability, and the ability to operate sustainably over the long term. We don’t necessarily need a deep tech unicorn (although that would be great!); rather, it is important that more companies reach a stable growth trajectory and continue to develop yearly.

Today, the sector is driven mainly by a small number of larger companies. In the future, the picture could be more balanced, with a broader base of companies contributing more to revenue growth and sector development.

What are the biggest barriers to moving from science to entrepreneurship in Estonia?

One of the main barriers is uncertainty and a lack of understanding about what moving from science to entrepreneurship actually entails. Many researchers do not have a clear picture of what the path looks like, where to turn, what steps lie ahead, or what happens afterward.

Another issue is the lack of strong and visible examples. There are not enough clear stories and models that would provide confidence that science-based entrepreneurship is a realistic and viable option. This uncertainty reduces the willingness to try.

A significant barrier is also the rigidity of the academic system. If a researcher leaves academia for a period of time, it can be difficult to return later. Combining an academic career with entrepreneurship is currently challenging, and flexible models that would allow engagement in both simultaneously are lacking.

In addition, there is the fear of failure, as well as uncertainty about what happens if a venture is successful. Not all researchers want to build large companies; some would prefer to develop a solution to the product stage and then move on to the next idea, but such pathways are not clearly defined.

Overall, the biggest barriers are not so much about a lack of willingness, but rather about insufficient understanding, confidence, and flexible opportunities for moving between science and entrepreneurship.

Why is deep tech entrepreneurship strategically important for Estonia compared to faster-scaling startups with lower technological barriers? If the choice is between IT entrepreneurship and deep tech, why choose deep tech?

On the one hand, the importance of deep tech entrepreneurship is very practical. Science-intensive companies create higher value-added jobs, as their activities require highly specialized skills. This generally means higher salaries and greater economic impact. In addition, deep tech companies are almost always export-oriented and operate in international markets from the very beginning, thereby bringing more value back into the local economy.

At the same time, this aspect is not entirely unique to deep tech, as many IT companies share some of these characteristics. For me, the strategic importance of deep tech does not lie solely in economic indicators, but also in its broader impact. Deep tech and science-based innovation are what enable societies to address large and complex challenges such as resource scarcity, energy production, food security, healthcare, and other long-term issues.

Deep tech offers the opportunity to create solutions that do not merely improve processes or user experiences, but genuinely change how society functions. A viable deep tech sector guides Estonia not only toward rapid growth, but toward meaningful and long-term impact.

If you had to give one recommendation to both policymakers and the ecosystem, what would it be? What should they understand?

For policymakers, it is important to understand that entrepreneurship development and policy-making should go hand in hand. Deep tech entrepreneurship requires policy support that is grounded in real needs and practical experience, and that is shaped through dialogue with those who are actively engaged in entrepreneurship. It is essential to listen to what entrepreneurs and the ecosystem actually need, and to assess what changes are possible within the constraints of the public system.

From the ecosystem’s perspective, Estonia’s deep tech community is already strong, smart, and functional. In a small country, a key advantage is that people know each other and that collaboration and information flow are relatively easy. The greatest value lies in ensuring that this collaboration and mutual listening continue and evolve further.