When asked about this year’s applicants sTARTUp Pitching Manager Rannar Park said: “With each passing year, the jury’s work gets tougher and tougher as the quality of startups applying gets higher. From commercial customer-focused applications to medical solutions rooted in research, this year’s batch of pitching startups has set the bar incredibly high for those that come after.”

Being selected into the TOP30 means more than stage time. The startups compete for a comprehensive prize package that includes up to €200,000 in EstBAN-led angel investment, up to €200,000 in dedicated deep tech investment, equity-free cash, extensive legal support, cloud credits, compliance tools, and long-term mentorship. In addition, all TOP30 teams receive professional pitching training and legal pitch deck proofing, ensuring they are fully prepared to engage with international investors and partners.

Adventum Tech (LV) - Developing an advanced structural health monitoring system that integrates tech and AI analytics to provide continuous insight into a bridge’s performance.

Asvel (EE) - Developing an AI-assisted flexible endoscope for precise and accurate minimally invasive surgeries.

BabAI Orbital (EE) - Onboard AI protection & collision-avoidance software for satellites and constellations.

Biohifas (LT) - Developing fungal fermentation technology for valorizing industrial side streams into nutritious food.

Catalyco (LV) - Replacing imported zinc oxide with locally sourced sustainable material, recovered from industrial waste.

DogBase (EE) - AI platform for K9 teams — combining training, health, and performance data to help working dogs perform at their best.

DRYE (SE) - Swedish dual-layer textile technology engineered to keep the skin-side dry in any gear or apparel.

Engycell (LV) - Providing intelligent software tools that decrease energy costs and make extra revenue for factories.

EsaDres (EE) - Developing personalised wound dressings for the treatment of chronic wounds by on-site compounding technology.

FleetFox (EE) - Building a one-stop shop for fleet managers; covering the hands, brains, and tools fleets need to run smarter.

ImpactPCB (EE) - Enriching waste electronics to increase critical and precious metals production in Europe.

ItaroBlu (LT) - ML-enabled helmet integrated airbag system to end fatalities in transportation and beyond.

Juuli (EE) - Financial management platform and invoicing tool designed to uphold freelancers' financial well-being.

Landlele (EE) - Enabling communities to generate their own electricity at scale using small, locally-assembled wind turbines.

LifeGlue Technologies (FI) - Producing clinically compatible bioink, Glue4Life, for researchers developing human tissues and organs.

LUNA ROBOTICS (LT) - Night vision modules for FPV drones to help pilots in Ukraine to carry out combat missions.

Mapping Soil (LT) - "See-inside-the-soil" technology for soil analysis and buried objects detection.

Midcontract (EE) - An escrow-backed payment platform for freelancers, agencies, and SMBs, solving non-payments, delays, and high fees.

MindChip (EE) - Developing a modular Artificial Captain that can be integrated with a ship's systems to increase her level of autonomous use.

Optonics (EE) - Developing a 3D printing platform to help space, industrial teams certify parts with built-in traceability.

Plugfree (EE) - Making EV chargers smarter both for business and private customers.

Praktikal (EE) - An integrated educational platform that combines digital content, methodology, teacher training, and hands-on experience.

Raw Edge (EE) - Fermentation tech that upcycles vegetables into functional foods supporting gut and metabolic health.

Silklytics (EE) - Advanced on-site multi-micronutrient tests enabling farmers to act instantly to save crop yield.

Sizzapp (LV) - The "Android of mobility" - one platform that connects different vehicles and devices into a seamless ecosystem for users and manufacturers.

Spiral Hydrogen (EE) - Developing a new electrolyzer to help industrial consumers source cheap, carbon-neutral hydrogen.

TechSynergy (EE) - Helping global clients hire vetted African tech talent, secured by our FinTech and EdTech ecosystem.

Thistle (EE) - Modular counter-UAS system to help defence/security forces stop drone threats with low-cost, scalable, dual-use tech.

Valvur (EE) - Shielding kids from scams and unwanted game spending, giving families safe digital and payment protection.

Vetik (EE) - Helping farmers improve yields and sustainability with seaweed-based biostimulants.

The TOP30 startups will take the stage on January 29 at the sTARTUp Day Pitching Stage to pitch live to international investors and the jury. On January 30, the competition culminates on the sTARTUp Day main stage, where the TOP 5 teams will pitch once more, and the jury will decide and announce the winners.