Startup Estonia CyberTech Sector Operational Support Overview (2017-2023)
The Estonian CyberTech sector was a focus area of Startup Estonia (the startup entrepreneurship unit of the joint organization KredEx and EAS) from 2017 to 2023. In cooperation with the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Startup Estonia established the CyberTech focus area within its activities in 2017.
From 2019 onwards, Startup Estonia’s CyberTech focus area operated under the administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications (MEAC). Based on the support agreement with MEAC, the activities were aligned with Estonia’s Cybersecurity Strategy (2019-2022). According to the strategy, the state’s objective is to ensure an optimal environment for the creation and growth of companies developing cyber technologies. This also includes targeted support activities for the sector’s startup community.
The contractual objective of the Ministry of Defence and MEAC for the Startup Estonia program during this period was to support cybersecurity community activities that foster the creation of new companies and a favorable growth environment. The specific objectives of the operational support included:
- Raising awareness of entrepreneurship in the cybersecurity sector.
- Supporting the emergence and activities of new startups.
- Promoting international expansion and investor relations.
- Developing the cybersecurity startup ecosystem.
Through these activities, Startup Estonia contributed to innovation and growth within the sector.
The latest operational support agreement ended on 30 June 2023. To provide a comprehensive overview of the program, this summary consolidates the key activities carried out between 2017 and 2023, reviews the sector’s development over the seven-year period, and presents proposals and recommendations for future support of the sector.
The need to foster a startup mindset within the CyberTech field stemmed from the state’s objective of strengthening Estonia’s domestic cyber defense capabilities and involving startups wherever possible. Cybersecurity startups, in turn, contribute to increasing the security of cyberspace.
