Estonian DeepTech startups showcased at the Hello Tomorrow Global Summit

Paris, France – Estonia’s deep tech sector made a bold statement at the Hello Tomorrow Global Summit, the world’s premier deep tech event, which celebrated its 10th edition this year. Fourteen cutting-edge Estonian startups showcased groundbreaking innovations across clean tech, health tech, and AI.

Through a dedicated Startup Estonia booth, the delegation engaged with investors, industry leaders, and corporate partners, seizing opportunities to accelerate business growth and expand into international markets.

“Estonian deep tech startups are scaling fast, moving from prototypes to production readiness. At this stage, securing late-seed to Series A funding is critical. Being visible at a global event like Hello Tomorrow helps drive that momentum,” said Inga Kõue, Deep Tech Sector Project Lead at Startup Estonia.

Estonian Startups in the Spotlight

Representing Estonia’s dynamic startup ecosystem at the summit were:
GaltTec, Paul-Tech, Elnora AI, Vectiopep, SKYCORP Technologies, Gridio, ÄIO Tech, Gelatex Technologies, Migrevention, Nanordica Medical, UP Catalyst, RAIKU Packaging, Myceen, 5.0Robotics, and Power UP.

Alongside the startups, key ecosystem players – including universities, science parks, the Estonian Research Council, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications – were present, reinforcing the emergence and growth of new deep tech companies in Estonia and commitment to deep tech innovation and global collaboration.

Investor Interest and Deep Tech Trends

International investors and corporate leaders are actively seeking deep tech solutions in clean energy, sustainable resource management, health and food innovation, and dual-use civil defense technologies. Estonia’s startups have caught the attention of top-tier investors and industry leaders.

Marek Alliksoo, CEO of SKYCORP Technologies, which develops hydrogen-powered drones, noted the exceptional level of interest from investors.

“Investors quickly recognized how our technology strengthens energy security and enhances Europe’s resilience,” he said.

Olesja Bondarenko, co-founder of Nanordica Medical, added:
“Hello Tomorrow was one of the most useful events. I found new investors both on Investor Day and outside official meetings – reaching the right investor can also mean starting a casual conversation on a bus. I also noticed that a shared exhibition space works very well. It is valuable both for making new contacts and for interacting with other companies!”

Despite a slowdown in global tech investments, deep tech funding remains far more resilient than general tech (software-based startups). According to the European DeepTech Report 2025, presented at Hello Tomorrow by Hello Tomorrow, Dealroom, Lakestar, and Walden Catalyst, deep tech startups are attracting larger late-stage investments, surpassing traditional software-driven ventures.

Estonia Takes the Global Stage in Biotech & Sustainability

The summit also featured top-tier keynotes and panel discussions on how deep tech is solving complex global challenges and fostering new deep tech startups.

Estonia’s perspective was highlighted on the main stage during the panel ‘Building Successful Biotech Startups’, where Tõnu Esko, Vice-Rector for Development and geneticist at the University of Tartu, discussed strategies for advancing biotechnology innovation alongside global industry experts:

• Stephanie Kristina Marrus (Managing Director, UCSF Innovation Ventures)
• Christian Tang-Jespersen (Partner, ACME Capital)
• Rainbow Lo (DeepTech Lead, Hello Tomorrow)

UP Catalyst in the Global Spotlight

Among nearly 7,000 applicants, Estonia’s UP Catalyst made it to the top 7 finalists in the prestigious Global Challenge competition, earning major recognition in the “Environment & Biodiversity” category.

Rait Maasikas, CEO of UP Catalyst, highlighted the global significance of their innovation:

“This was a fantastic opportunity to showcase UP Catalyst’s breakthrough technology, which enables the production of critical raw materials for the battery industry from CO₂ emissions—completely carbon-emission-free. Europe is at a crucial turning point in deciding where essential materials like graphite will be sourced. UP Catalyst is ready to deliver a solution that meets this challenge head-on.”

Reflecting on Estonia’s strong presence at the summit, Tõnu Esko summed up the experience in true Estonian fashion:

“I am very satisfied that I joined the Estonian delegation—one of the best events I’ve attended in a long time.”

Estonia’s Deep Tech Sector: By the Numbers 

• 165 deep tech startups are currently operating in Estonia.
• In 2024, the sector’s total revenue hit €325 million, marking a 20% year-over-year growth.
• Estonian deep tech startups secured 20 funding deals worth €206.2 million, accounting for 63% of all Estonian startup investments last year.

With growing international recognition, breakthrough innovations, and increasing investment interest, Estonia’s deep tech sector is making its mark on the world stage.