Blog — sTARTUp Day - Most Startup-Minded Business Festival

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Dealum is the Tartu startup of the year!

On October 11th, Tartu's entrepreneurial community gathered at the Athena Center for a gala event where the winners of the "Tartu Best Entrepreneur 2024" competition were revealed. sTARTUp Day presented the award for Tartu's Best Startup of the Year to...
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sTARTUp Day 2025 announces the first five speakers

Here is the first wave of speakers, promising an event packed with experience, inspiration, and actionable insights for entrepreneurs and innovators. The...
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Head Organizer Noora Ustav: We keep innovating with Refresh

Refresh, the biggest product and UX design conference in Estonia, is taking place in Tartu for the second time on April 11-12,...
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Shaping Tomorrow's Value: Executive Day at sTARTUp Day 2024

On January 24, sTARTUp Day 2024 invites industry leaders to Executive Day – an exclusive event for Executive ticket holders, focusing on...
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sTARTUp Day 2024 program is out!

With 35 days to go until the festival, the sTARTUp Day 2024 program is out now! From survival strategies to sustainable entrepreneurship,...
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Let’s take a first glimpse into the sTARTUp Day 2024 program!

The 8th edition of the sTARTUp Day festival, taking place on January 24–26, 2024, in the smart city of Tartu will be...
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sTARTUp Day joins forces with Tartu 2024

Tartu together with Southern Estonia is the European Capital of Culture in 2024. We’re excited to announce Tartu 2024 as one of...
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Are you the new head organizer of sTARTUp Day?

sTARTUp Day, the biggest business festival in the Baltics, is looking for a new Head Organizer to take the lead of sTARTUp...
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Health technologies need to overcome a number of barriers to thrive, study says

Estonia has great potential for developing innovative, science-based health services. However, several challenges still need to be tackled, as highlighted in a...
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sTARTUp Day recognized at the European Enterprise Promotion Awards

sTARTUp Day was shortlisted in the category of supporting the internationalization of business at the European Enterprise Promotion Awards. Our team attended...
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Marii Ingriin Saaremäe on bringing back the good old Refresh conference in a whole new way

In January 2023, Refresh, the biggest product, UX design and front-end conference in Estonia, is returning after a 4-year hiatus. We had...
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Kristjan Lind – the Estonian Young Entrepreneur of 2022!

Kristjan Lind is the CEO and co-founder of Bikeep, the leading smart commercial scooter and bike parking and charging provider. Today, Kristjan...
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sTARTUp Day 2022 survival guide aka 10 things you NEED to know to have the time of your life

sTARTUp Day is almost here. We have compiled this short list of practical information to help you have the best festival experience....
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We have unveiled the full sTARTUp Day 2022 program

The cat is out of the bag – while additions will be made all the way to August, we have unveiled the...
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sTARTUp Day 2022 will return as an epic summer festival

While we hoped to meet everyone already in January, we have to wait a bit longer this year. In light of the...
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Time to join sTARTUp Day 2022 pitching contest with a prize pool of over €350k

We are calling all startups to apply for the sTARTUp Pitching competition. This is your chance to shine on the stage in...
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Volunteering at sTARTUp Day ‒ high energy, awesome people and new skills

What does it feel like to be part of the team organizing sTARTUp Day and experience the creative chaos behind the scenes?...
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Martin Vares – the Estonian Young Entrepreneur of 2021!

Martin Vares is the CEO and co-founder of Fractory, a cloud manufacturing company connecting engineers to potential production capacity through an automated...
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We’re ready, are you? The 6th sTARTUp Day season has officially kicked off!

While the emotions from sTARTUp Day 2021 are still high in the air, it’s time to kick off the next festival season....
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Politicians debate at sTARTUp Day – The way forward for a startup nation

On August 27, politicians from major Estonian parties debated on the topic "The Way Forward for a Startup Nation" at sTARTUp Day....
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Overview and numbers of sTARTUp Day 2021 – a crazy journey that ended with a summerfest!

sTARTUp Day 2021 was definitely a one-of-a-kind event. After 18 months of organization and prepping, the startup community gathered in the Estonian...
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sTARTUp Day 2021 survival guide: how to have the time of your life

To become a true hero and take everything there is to take at sTARTUp Day, come prepared. We believe in the phrase...
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How to deal with lawyers in a time of innovation

Whereas laws and legal practice might seem rather stoic, recent years have started to challenge that thought. Globalization and technological development have...
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The Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Seedcamp, Co-Founder of Synctuition and many more – the program is unveiled!

Awesome news! The program of sTARTUp Day 2021 is here! On 25–27 of August, the Estonian National Museum in Tartu will become...
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Let's break a world record!

As we are all about keeping sTARTUp Day fresh and full of surprises, we will be attempting to break the world record...
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Ede and Sten Tamkivi – fearlessly breaking stereotypes

Both women and men, entrepreneurs and employees in startups and large corporations, are trying to find and improve work-life balance. Although society...
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Wrapping up the startup year 2020

This year has been unpredictable, challenging, and demanding for all of us. You could even say that the everyday life of almost...
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sTARTUp Day 2021 will take place in August as an epic summerfest!

Hey, all of our amazing startups, investors, executives and heroes! Until now, we have been going forward with a hybrid event in...
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Evelin Uibokand: "The task of crisis managers is to give people a sense of security"

Evelin Uibokand is the crisis management coordinator of the Tartu City Government. Her tasks are to organize the work of the city's...
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Get to know the speakers of sTARTUp Day 2021 – world-class experts with alter egos you wouldn't believe!

There are less than two months left until the end of the year. And probably there are quite a few of us...
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Andrus Ansip: “Estonia has the opportunity to make digital identity more user-friendly.”

On November 4, the representatives of the European Parliament and the founders and CEOs of Tartu startups gathered at SPARK Demo to...
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10 Startup Terms You Need to Know for sTARTUp Day

Estonia is among the three best countries in Europe to start your startup. The favorable business climate has been creating a fuzz...
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Metallica did not break Tartu!

At sTARTUp Day, the largest business festival in the Baltics, Tartu's Smart City presented data that was collected during the Metallica concert...
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sTARTUp Day 2020 in numbers - a record year!

Baltics’ biggest business festival sTARTUp Day took place for the 4th time on 29-31 January in UT Sports Hall in Tartu with...
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Your Survival Guide to sTARTUp Day 2020

You know what makes hacking sTARTUp Day easy? Coming prepared. Check this list and you have all the information needed to be...
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State-owned energy company Eesti Energia is collaborating with startups

Eesti Energia is one of the partners of sTARTUp Day and is represented at the festival both in the demo area and...
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TOP 32 teams of sTARTUp Pitching 2020

sTARTUp Pitching is the official pitching competition of sTARTUp Day. In 2020, 248 teams from 30 different countries applied and 32 were...
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Head organizer of sTARTUp Day Marili Vihmann: “If I can’t do it anymore, I keep on going!”

Katrin Hinrikus and Mihkel Vetemaa started the Täitsa Pekkis podcast in 2018. They bring you stories from awesome Estonian people, their lives,...
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Throwback to 2019 sTARTUp City highlights

2019 is over and now it’s time to take a look back to everything that has happened in sTARTUp city! And oh...
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Tartu Wall of Fame has been opened in SPARK Demo

Since the end of November, the SPARK Demo features Tartu's own Wall of Fame, which currently shows 13 outstanding startups. Companies that...
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sTARTUp Day brings Fiverr and Airbnb experience to Tartu - the program is launched!

Baltics biggest business festival sTARTUp Day just launched its program of the 2020 festival on January 29-31. This year the festival lasts...
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The best gift ideas from Estonian startups

Ho. Ho. Ho. What are the similarities between Christmas and sTARTUp Day? Both are getting closer and closer and bring a lot...
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sTARTUp Day is looking for the next unicorn at the sTARTUp Pitching Competition

At the business festival sTARTUp Day 2020, startups have the opportunity to present their business idea in front of 4,000 visitors and...
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The University of Tartu is ranked in the top 300 in Business and Economics according to the newest Times Higher Education rankings

The University of Tartu’s ranking has risen in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings! The University of Tartu is ranked 201–250 in...
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30 speakers have joined sTARTUp Day – find out who!

As sTARTUp Day 2020 is getting closer, its schedule is being filled with more and more awesome speakers. Here are a few...
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sTARTUp Day idea founder Andres Kuusik leaves footprints to Tartu Pioneers' Alley

This year Andres Kuusik, sTARTUp Day idea founder, was added to Tartu Pioneers' Alley. The purpose of the alley is to recognize...
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Kicking Off the Program of sTARTUp Day 2020

New season means new beginnings! As sTARTUp Day is the most innovative festival in Estonia, we aim to keep our festival fresh....
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Swedbank Has Stepped Into the Co-Organizers Circle

We have some great news – Swedbank is now one of the 9 co-organizers of sTARTUp Day! 
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First Speakers Revealed: Hermione Way and Marvin Liao will join at sTARTUp Day 2020!

It’s that time of the year again – we’re going to reveal the very first speakers of sTARTUp Day 2020. But before...
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Must-Attend Startup and Business Events in the Region

There is an abundance of startup and business events popping up all across Europe throughout the year. Choosing which ones to attend...
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UX Tartu 2019 presents: Cleveron — helping people save time through innovation

On this Thursday, 18th of April, the event UX Tartu will take place for the third time already! UX Tartu is a...
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Day 2 done & some changes in the program

We had an amazing second day of the festival – many many many super inspirational keynotes, panels, surprises rolled out and came...
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The Festival has kicked off & ex-Tinder Hermione Way canceled

Now we can proudly say that Day 1 of sTARTUp Day is done!
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Future unicorns hit the stage in sTARTUp Pitching finals

sTARTUp Pitching has reached to its finals where the jury has chosen 21 teams to participate in. Almost 250 startups applied for...
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Tickets from €159

Tickets

Find your perfect ticket type! All ticket types grant access to all three festival days on 29-31 January 2025. 

Venue access
Ϟ Day 0: Side Events on January 29
Ϟ Day 1 on January 30
Ϟ Day 2 on January 31
Matchmaking
This is where the magic happens. Through our matchmaking app, you can schedule 20-minute meetings with participants and meet them at our matchmaking area. General access to the matchmaking app will be available at the beginning of the festival week.
Stage program
There will be three stages at sTARTUp Day 2025 – Starlight Stage, Insight Stage, and Pitching Stage – with speakers and presenters who cover a variety of topics for every taste.
Demo Area access
This is the Mecca of Entrepreneurship! Explore the latest innovations and discover new products, services, friends, opportunities and perhaps, your new career challenge.
sTARTUp Night
The legendary sTARTUp Night wraps up the first conference day on January 30. The afterparty is bringing together the coolest festival visitors, good music, and lots of surprises!
Seminars
Practical seminars to sharpen & level up your skills.
Side events
Vibrant side events take place all over Tartu before and during the official festival.
Early access to matchmaking app
With early access, you’ll gain access to our matchmaking app two weeks earlier than most people. Use the opportunity to get a head start and request meetings with the hottest participants before all their slots are full.
VIP Reception
Celebrate the beginning of sTARTUp Day in style! The VIP Reception brings together speakers, investors & executives for an unforgettable night.
VIP Lounge access
Escape to your lounge where you can kick back and relax, get some work done, or prep for the next meeting.
Investor Day
Investor Day on January 29 is an exclusive investors' meetup to share experiences, learn from each other, and create meaningful contacts. Structured in a way you'd feel both elevated by and busy with new ideas while leaving enough room for networking.
Executive Day
Executive Day on January 29 is about taking the time to listen, talk, and network with other leaders. This is the place to bounce your thoughts and learn about challenges and solutions across different industries.
List of attending investors
Startups will see the participating investors' list (investor's name + investment fund's name) which enables them to request meetings with the right investors through our matchmaking app.
List of attending startups
There are over 300 unique startups at sTARTUp Day, which can be quite overwhelming at times. We'll send you a database of all of the participating startups so you can browse through them all and select the ones you want to meet beforehand.
Personalised startup matches
With the help of our good friends from Dealum, we will find the most relevant startup matches based on each investor’s profile. This means that investors will get a list of hand-selected startups that meet their requirements, making it even easier to meet the right startup.
Visibility at sTARTUp Day website
All validated startups and the biggest VC funds will be featured on the sTARTUp Day website.

Visitor

179 €
BUY NOW
Venue access
Ϟ Day 0: Side Events on January 29
Ϟ Day 1 on January 30
Ϟ Day 2 on January 31
Matchmaking
This is where the magic happens. Through our matchmaking app, you can schedule 20-minute meetings with participants and meet them at our matchmaking area. General access to the matchmaking app will be available at the beginning of the festival week.
Stage program
There will be three stages at sTARTUp Day 2025 – Starlight Stage, Insight Stage, and Pitching Stage – with speakers and presenters who cover a variety of topics for every taste.
Demo Area access
This is the Mecca of Entrepreneurship! Explore the latest innovations and discover new products, services, friends, opportunities and perhaps, your new career challenge.
sTARTUp Night
The legendary sTARTUp Night wraps up the first conference day on January 30. The afterparty is bringing together the coolest festival visitors, good music, and lots of surprises!
Seminars
Practical seminars to sharpen & level up your skills.
Side events
Vibrant side events take place all over Tartu before and during the official festival.
Early access to matchmaking app
With early access, you’ll gain access to our matchmaking app two weeks earlier than most people. Use the opportunity to get a head start and request meetings with the hottest participants before all their slots are full.
VIP Reception
Celebrate the beginning of sTARTUp Day in style! The VIP Reception brings together speakers, investors & executives for an unforgettable night.
VIP Lounge access
Escape to your lounge where you can kick back and relax, get some work done, or prep for the next meeting.
Investor Day
Investor Day on January 29 is an exclusive investors' meetup to share experiences, learn from each other, and create meaningful contacts. Structured in a way you'd feel both elevated by and busy with new ideas while leaving enough room for networking.
Executive Day
Executive Day on January 29 is about taking the time to listen, talk, and network with other leaders. This is the place to bounce your thoughts and learn about challenges and solutions across different industries.
List of attending investors
Startups will see the participating investors' list (investor's name + investment fund's name) which enables them to request meetings with the right investors through our matchmaking app.
List of attending startups
There are over 300 unique startups at sTARTUp Day, which can be quite overwhelming at times. We'll send you a database of all of the participating startups so you can browse through them all and select the ones you want to meet beforehand.
Personalised startup matches
With the help of our good friends from Dealum, we will find the most relevant startup matches based on each investor’s profile. This means that investors will get a list of hand-selected startups that meet their requirements, making it even easier to meet the right startup.
Visibility at sTARTUp Day website
All validated startups and the biggest VC funds will be featured on the sTARTUp Day website.

Startup

159 €
BUY NOW
Venue access
Ϟ Day 0: Side Events on January 29
Ϟ Day 1 on January 30
Ϟ Day 2 on January 31
Matchmaking
This is where the magic happens. Through our matchmaking app, you can schedule 20-minute meetings with participants and meet them at our matchmaking area. General access to the matchmaking app will be available at the beginning of the festival week.
Stage program
There will be three stages at sTARTUp Day 2025 – Starlight Stage, Insight Stage, and Pitching Stage – with speakers and presenters who cover a variety of topics for every taste.
Demo Area access
This is the Mecca of Entrepreneurship! Explore the latest innovations and discover new products, services, friends, opportunities and perhaps, your new career challenge.
sTARTUp Night
The legendary sTARTUp Night wraps up the first conference day on January 30. The afterparty is bringing together the coolest festival visitors, good music, and lots of surprises!
Seminars
Practical seminars to sharpen & level up your skills.
Side events
Vibrant side events take place all over Tartu before and during the official festival.
Early access to matchmaking app
With early access, you’ll gain access to our matchmaking app two weeks earlier than most people. Use the opportunity to get a head start and request meetings with the hottest participants before all their slots are full.
VIP Reception
Celebrate the beginning of sTARTUp Day in style! The VIP Reception brings together speakers, investors & executives for an unforgettable night.
VIP Lounge access
Escape to your lounge where you can kick back and relax, get some work done, or prep for the next meeting.
Investor Day
Investor Day on January 29 is an exclusive investors' meetup to share experiences, learn from each other, and create meaningful contacts. Structured in a way you'd feel both elevated by and busy with new ideas while leaving enough room for networking.
Executive Day
Executive Day on January 29 is about taking the time to listen, talk, and network with other leaders. This is the place to bounce your thoughts and learn about challenges and solutions across different industries.
List of attending investors
Startups will see the participating investors' list (investor's name + investment fund's name) which enables them to request meetings with the right investors through our matchmaking app.
List of attending startups
There are over 300 unique startups at sTARTUp Day, which can be quite overwhelming at times. We'll send you a database of all of the participating startups so you can browse through them all and select the ones you want to meet beforehand.
Personalised startup matches
With the help of our good friends from Dealum, we will find the most relevant startup matches based on each investor’s profile. This means that investors will get a list of hand-selected startups that meet their requirements, making it even easier to meet the right startup.
Visibility at sTARTUp Day website
All validated startups and the biggest VC funds will be featured on the sTARTUp Day website.

Investor

259 €
BUY NOW
Venue access
Ϟ Day 0: Side Events on January 29
Ϟ Day 1 on January 30
Ϟ Day 2 on January 31
Matchmaking
This is where the magic happens. Through our matchmaking app, you can schedule 20-minute meetings with participants and meet them at our matchmaking area. General access to the matchmaking app will be available at the beginning of the festival week.
Stage program
There will be three stages at sTARTUp Day 2025 – Starlight Stage, Insight Stage, and Pitching Stage – with speakers and presenters who cover a variety of topics for every taste.
Demo Area access
This is the Mecca of Entrepreneurship! Explore the latest innovations and discover new products, services, friends, opportunities and perhaps, your new career challenge.
sTARTUp Night
The legendary sTARTUp Night wraps up the first conference day on January 30. The afterparty is bringing together the coolest festival visitors, good music, and lots of surprises!
Seminars
Practical seminars to sharpen & level up your skills.
Side events
Vibrant side events take place all over Tartu before and during the official festival.
Early access to matchmaking app
With early access, you’ll gain access to our matchmaking app two weeks earlier than most people. Use the opportunity to get a head start and request meetings with the hottest participants before all their slots are full.
VIP Reception
Celebrate the beginning of sTARTUp Day in style! The VIP Reception brings together speakers, investors & executives for an unforgettable night.
VIP Lounge access
Escape to your lounge where you can kick back and relax, get some work done, or prep for the next meeting.
Investor Day
Investor Day on January 29 is an exclusive investors' meetup to share experiences, learn from each other, and create meaningful contacts. Structured in a way you'd feel both elevated by and busy with new ideas while leaving enough room for networking.
Executive Day
Executive Day on January 29 is about taking the time to listen, talk, and network with other leaders. This is the place to bounce your thoughts and learn about challenges and solutions across different industries.
List of attending investors
Startups will see the participating investors' list (investor's name + investment fund's name) which enables them to request meetings with the right investors through our matchmaking app.
List of attending startups
There are over 300 unique startups at sTARTUp Day, which can be quite overwhelming at times. We'll send you a database of all of the participating startups so you can browse through them all and select the ones you want to meet beforehand.
Personalised startup matches
With the help of our good friends from Dealum, we will find the most relevant startup matches based on each investor’s profile. This means that investors will get a list of hand-selected startups that meet their requirements, making it even easier to meet the right startup.
Visibility at sTARTUp Day website
All validated startups and the biggest VC funds will be featured on the sTARTUp Day website.

Executive

259 €
BUY NOW
Venue access
Ϟ Day 0: Side Events on January 29
Ϟ Day 1 on January 30
Ϟ Day 2 on January 31
Matchmaking
This is where the magic happens. Through our matchmaking app, you can schedule 20-minute meetings with participants and meet them at our matchmaking area. General access to the matchmaking app will be available at the beginning of the festival week.
Stage program
There will be three stages at sTARTUp Day 2025 – Starlight Stage, Insight Stage, and Pitching Stage – with speakers and presenters who cover a variety of topics for every taste.
Demo Area access
This is the Mecca of Entrepreneurship! Explore the latest innovations and discover new products, services, friends, opportunities and perhaps, your new career challenge.
sTARTUp Night
The legendary sTARTUp Night wraps up the first conference day on January 30. The afterparty is bringing together the coolest festival visitors, good music, and lots of surprises!
Seminars
Practical seminars to sharpen & level up your skills.
Side events
Vibrant side events take place all over Tartu before and during the official festival.
Early access to matchmaking app
With early access, you’ll gain access to our matchmaking app two weeks earlier than most people. Use the opportunity to get a head start and request meetings with the hottest participants before all their slots are full.
VIP Reception
Celebrate the beginning of sTARTUp Day in style! The VIP Reception brings together speakers, investors & executives for an unforgettable night.
VIP Lounge access
Escape to your lounge where you can kick back and relax, get some work done, or prep for the next meeting.
Investor Day
Investor Day on January 29 is an exclusive investors' meetup to share experiences, learn from each other, and create meaningful contacts. Structured in a way you'd feel both elevated by and busy with new ideas while leaving enough room for networking.
Executive Day
Executive Day on January 29 is about taking the time to listen, talk, and network with other leaders. This is the place to bounce your thoughts and learn about challenges and solutions across different industries.
List of attending investors
Startups will see the participating investors' list (investor's name + investment fund's name) which enables them to request meetings with the right investors through our matchmaking app.
List of attending startups
There are over 300 unique startups at sTARTUp Day, which can be quite overwhelming at times. We'll send you a database of all of the participating startups so you can browse through them all and select the ones you want to meet beforehand.
Personalised startup matches
With the help of our good friends from Dealum, we will find the most relevant startup matches based on each investor’s profile. This means that investors will get a list of hand-selected startups that meet their requirements, making it even easier to meet the right startup.
Visibility at sTARTUp Day website
All validated startups and the biggest VC funds will be featured on the sTARTUp Day website.