Estonia’s startup scene is known for software, but a growing share of innovation is coming from university labs. UniTartu Ventures is the University of Tartu’s investment and holding company that helps move that research into the market, especially in deep tech and life sciences.
We sat down with Kadri Sundja, the CEO of UniTartu Ventures to hear what’s the goal with the IP-venture company. Currently, the company invests into ideas that are spun out of research at the University of Tartu. Much of that research is funded by public grants.
What UniTartu Ventures does?
Instead of only licensing the IP for royalties, UniTartu Ventures can invest the IP itself into a startup in exchange for equity. This IP-for-equity approach sits alongside cash coming from other investors or grants. In practice, it means the startup can start with a valuable technology asset on its balance sheet and the university becomes a shareholder aligned with the company’s success.
How the IP-for-equity model works
- IP stays with the university until there is a company with a credible plan (e.g., cash investment secured or a grant won).
- The university then contributes the IP as its investment, taking an equity stake.
- The company gains a clear, transparent right to use and commercialize the technology, which simplifies future fundraising and partnerships.
Focus areas and support network
UniTartu Ventures works with very early-stage science-based projects across a broad range of fields, reflecting the research profile of the university, with a strong concentration in life sciences and other deep tech.
Projects are sourced directly from the University of Tartu research base and are supported together with the university through an evolving pre-company process to test commercial logic, team readiness, and real-world relevance before pushing the team to the outside world.
Why this matters for Estonia and angel investors
In our conversation, Kadri noted that funding and ecosystem density can be challenging in Estonia, especially outside of Tallinn and in deep tech That makes collaboration important between universities, local funds, international investors in larger ecosystems.
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