1. WRITE YOUR OWN SUCCESS STORY
Over the last 10 years we have helped close to 300 companies bring their product to market.
Today, we work closely with 35 companies, who do business mainly in fashion and design industries,
where we can offer by far the highest value contribution in Estonia.
DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
Multi-level cooperation platform
and international showroom
REFERENCES
Kerttu Lohu, Allan Prooso,
Katrin Kuldma
COMPANY ROADMAP
Ideation, execution, growth,
scaling, success
GRADUATES
Craftory, Gvido, Lilli Jahilo,
Lingvist, RemedyWay, Valhalla

2. Creativity is just connecting
things. When you ask creative
people how they did something,
they feel a little guilty because
they didn’t really do it, they
just saw something. It seemed
obvious to them after a while.
That’s because they were able to
connect experiences they’ve had
and synthesize new things.
For me, it has been both a challenge and a great pleasure to ac-
company and witness all these lessons, experiments, achieve-
ments, and success stories.
We offer our customers assistance in finding a profitable busi-
ness model, launching new products and services, and enter-
ing international markets. The incubator brings together peo-
ple who possess creative vision, courage, and the will to create
something themselves while supporting and inspiring others
with their experience. These values are shared by all people in-
volved in the incubator activities: emerging entrepreneurs who
join incubator programmes; business mentors who use their
knowledge and experience to urge incubants towards major
breakthroughs; partners who help Estonian startups and qual-
ity designers to find their place in the big world; and the entire
team of the incubator.
This small booklet shares the story of the Tallinn Business In-
cubators. The texts and pictures gathered here will give you an
overview of the most important events and activities that have
taken place throughout all of our busy years.
We wish you exciting discoveries, creative inspiration, and the
will to act!
ANU LÕHMUS
Chief Executive Officer of the Tallinn Business Incubators
IntroductionDuring the past 10 years our incubator has helped over
300 companies to launch and grow. By doing this, we have
created an environment, where entrepreneurial spirit and
creativity meet with business ambition.
Steve Jobs
The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs by Carmine Gallo

3. 4
Many of our incubated companies have attracted large-scale
investments and successfully entered international markets.
We offer our services in a wide variety of business areas, from
manufacturing design to highly ambitious mobile app develop-
ments. Today, the incubator serves as a growth platform for
35 companies at a time, with the majority working in fashion
and design, which are areas where we have by far the highest
consulting competence in Estonia.
All enterprises who wish to create something unique and excep-
tional with an ambition to use their ideas and creativity, develop,
and reach new markets outside Estonia are welcome to join the
incubation programme. As an organisation, we promise to help
you enter the market with your product, find the most appropri-
ate business model and begin exporting your product.
See you at the incubator!
DURING THESE 10 YEARS, WE HAVE CONTRI-
BUTED TO THE CREATION AND SUCCESSFUL
DEVELOPMENT OF NEARLY 300 COMPANIES.
WE HAVE HELPED OVER 300 COMPANIES
TO LAUNCH AND GROW DURING
THE PAST 10 YEARS.
Write your own
success story
We provide startups with an individual two-year development programme, including incubator
consultants and the best Estonian business mentors who will contribute to the development and
growth of your business. Get inspiring ideas, knowledge, and business contacts at our monthly
seminars, training courses, and business network events. In addition, you will have the opportuni-
ty to participate in our joint marketing projects and business missions to foreign countries.
300

4. 6 7
2008. Entrepreneurship development
award received from the Ministry of Eco-
nomic Affairs and Communications for
the development of the project “Business
Incubator as a basic structure for promo-
tion of small business”.
2009. The interior design of the Cre-
ative Incubator was awarded first place
at the ADC* Estonia design awards in the
category of environmental design.
In the same year, the interior design of
the Creative Incubator was nominated
for the Cultural Endowment of Estonia
interior architecture awards.
2010. The Tallinn Creative Incubator
received second place at the international
contest Best Science Based Incubator
2010. The interior design of the Creative
Incubator was nominated for the Golden
Egg 2010 awards.
2014. The Tallinn Business Incubators
were listed among the top 300 world
incubators according to the UBI Index
2014 international comparative study.
2015. Fashion accessories store and
showroom ZERO° became a finalist of
the “Acknowledge Business Promoters”
contest, organised by the Ministry of Eco-
nomic Affairs and Communications.
Acknowledgements
We teamed up with Tallinn Busi-
ness Incubators in CREA Sum-
mer Academy – an international
learning-by-doing program for
future entrepreneurs. The incuba-
tor brought together creative and
technical minds and created syn-
ergy between the three pillars of
startups: ICT, creativity, and entre-
preneurship. With the programme
we boosted innovative business
ideas into international teams
with access to the global arena.
In 2014 we brought 14 young
talented Estonian fashion de-
signers to the annual fashion fair
Marché des Modes in Roubaix.
We quickly realized that Estonian
and French designers have great
potential to work together in cre-
ation, production, and sales and
that the competences of both
incubators provide a great plat-
form for this co-operation.
Entrepreneurs highly value the
incubator because it connects
growth companies with the same
mindset. They mutually inspire
each other and learn from each
other’s experience, as well as
business advisers and mentors
help inexperienced enterprises
move forward by active coopera-
tion and setting high goals.
ARIANNA
VIGNATI
Project Manager of CREA
Summer Academy
Politecnico di Milano
ALEXANDRA
PISCO
Directrice
Maisons de Mode
Lille/Roubaix
HEIDI
KAKKO
Chief executive of the
Estonian Business
Angels Association
EstBAN
RESULTS OF THE INCUBATION PROGRAMME
on average, startups increase their turnover from
startups export0–75 000€ 13%
two of every 10 companies have raised venture capital
one of every 12 companies has become
a market leader in its business sector

5. Ideation
You’ve got a business idea...
...and you’ve decided to implement it.
You’ve mapped the client’s needs...
...and are capable of satisfying those needs.
You begin to develop your marketing
strategy...
...and to do so you require help from the
incubator.
Execution
You set up a company and join the incubator...
...and our consultants and business mentors support you.
You formulate your two-year vision...
...and outline actions needed to reach your goals.
You create a business model with our help...
...and get to know your target audience within it.
You begin to test your business model in the market...
...and get feedback from customers needed to develop
your product.
You develop a unique competitive advantage...
...and create your own brand to stand
out in the market.
Growth
With our help, you draw up
a marketing plan...
...and expand your sales network.
You introduce your product and
brand on the Internet...
...and promote it on social and
online media.
You optimise your production
process...
...and increase the profitability of
your business.
You formulate your export
ambition...
...and start scaling your business.
You evaluate your company’s
strengths...
...and employ new workers.
You’ve created intellectual
property...
...and we’ll help you protect it.
Scaling
You analyse whether your customers’ needs have changed...
...and update your business model.
You want to find new customers...
...and actively diversify your product development and variety
You map out potential export markets...
...and adapt your product and brand to meet the needs
of export market requirements.
You draw up an export plan...
...and we support you financially to realise it.
Success
You start entering the export
market...
...and your team becomes
international.
Your business begins to grow
rapidly...
...and we help you find a
suitable investor.
You become a successful
entrepreneur...
...and mentor other
entrepreneurs at the incubator.
Company roadmap

6. 10 11
Graduates
Graduates
Craftory
Joined the incubator: 2015
The leather workshop Craftory designs and crafts
organically tanned leather portemonnaies, pouch-
es, and sacks. The products unite the traditional
beauty of leather and modern, minimalist design.
In 2016, Craftory opened our independent shop and
mini-workshop next to Netil Market in East London.
www.nahk.ee
www.craftory.com
GVIDO
Joined the incubator: 2009
Gvido Valickis has over 20 years of experience in
decorative art and jewellery. He creates author’s
collections and fulfils individual orders. The jewel-
lery is entirely handcrafted by Gvido himself, ensur-
ing high quality at every stage of the production.
Gvido mainly uses precious metals (gold, silver)
and precious natural stones in his work. The artist’s
favourite material is patterned Damascus steel,
which has made his craft a success story. This lit-
tle-known material has proven to be very popular
among customers.
www.gvido.eu
GoWorkaBit
Joined the incubator: 2014
GoWorkaBit is a web application by means of
which companies offer short-term jobs to job
seekers who do the work right away. Short-term
jobs are mainly offered in trade, warehousing,
accommodation services, and catering. During
its over three years of work, GoWorkaBit has fa-
cilitated jobs for 85,000 people and, together with
2,000 employers, has made the Estonian labour
market more flexible by 200,000 hours.
In 2014, GoWorkaBit won the Seedcamp London
startup competition.
In 2014, GoWorkaBit reached the finals of Brain
Hunt (Ajujaht).
www.goworkabit.com
Lilli Jahilo
Joined the incubator: 2010
Lilli Jahilo is an Estonian fashion designer of el-
egant, feminine, high-quality clothes combining
minimalist Nordic aesthetics with a daring co-
lour palette and excellent craftsmanship.
2008: ERKI fashion show – Grand Prix
2011: Swedish Business Awards – Best Young
Entrepreneur
2014: The Golden Needle nomination and audi-
ence choice award
2016: Balticbest – gold and silver awards for a
marketing campaign of #TheCannesDress
2016: The Golden Needle
www.lillijahilo.com

7. 12 13
Graduates
Graduates
Lingvist
Joined the incubator: 2013
Lingvist is a language learning application that
uses statistical analysis and machine learning algo-
rithms to boost language learning. In the beginning
of 2017, Lingvist had over 500,000 users around the
world.
www.lingvist.com
TOLM
Joined the incubator: 2008
Tolm is a design-oriented animation and motion
graphics creative studio. Tolm has won several in-
ternational design awards, including the well-known
Art Director’s Club Europe Gold in the category of
motion graphics in 2015.
www.tolm.tv
RemedyWay
Joined the incubator: 2013
RemedyWay is engaged in the manufacture of
health products: honey blends from natural raw
ingredients, raw buckwheat sweets and snacks,
buckwheat shell products, and cosmetic salves. In
April 2015, the RemedyWay factory in Täkumetsa
Village, East Viru County, was given the organic far-
ming certification.
www.remedyway.ee
Valhalla Factory
Joined the incubator: 2013
Interior accessories produced by the Valhalla Fac-
tory brand are inspired by morning walks, patterns
of impressions collected from journeys around the
world, and colourful dreams. Textile products, scen-
ted candles, and wood and marble home accesso-
ries are designed with the idea of bringing as much
natural energy into people’s homes as does a marvel-
lous sunrise on a crisp northern morning.
Products of the Valhalla Factory are offered by a
number of internationally recognised and curated
design distributors such as Stockmann, Artek, Mo-
noqi, and Houzz.
www.shop.valhallafactory.com

8. 14
Graduates
RMP Eesti
Joined the incubator: 2004
RMP Eesti aims at maintaining the accounting
and tax information platform RMP.ee, serving as
a daily work environment for anyone interested in
accounting. RMP.ee shows the latest sector news
and changes in legislation and shares instructio-
nal materials required for work as well as articles
written by specialists with approximately 50,000
registered readers. In addition, RMP.ee organises
professional training courses and conferences.
2007: Tallinn Responsible Entrepreneur
2011: Swedish Business Award nominee in the
category of socially responsible business
www.rmp.ee
www.nadalakiri.ee
Passion won’t
protect you
against setbacks,
but it will ensure
that no failure
is ever final.
Bill Strickland
The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs by Carmine Gallo

9. 16
Testyourself
The test was fun, and everyone should take such
tests every day. School education is mainly about
rote learning and drilling, but life is a big surprise
and a test.
HEITI KENDER, CO-FOUNDER
OF VALGE KLAAR (APPLE’S
AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR IN ESTONIA)
AND A STRONG PROPONENT OF
INCUBATION, CORRECTLY ANSWERED
10 QUESTIONS OUT OF 12
How can „L” be
bigger than „XL”?
Why are manhole
covers everywhere
always round?
A racket and a ball
together cost one
euro and ten cents.
The racket costs
one euro more than
the ball. How much
does the ball cost?
If the stock market
declines 50%, how
much should it
increase to achieve
the former level?
If you had only one
match and entered a
cold and dark room
with an oil heater, an
oil lamp, and a candle,
which one would you
light first?
What goes up and
down, but still remains
in the same place?
Merike is 40 years old,
but she has only had
ten birthdays so far.
How is this possible?
Trees grow at the
corners of a pool. How
can a square-shaped
pool twice as large be
built so that the trees
would remain in the
same place?
In 1998, the British Medical
Association conducted a poll
to find out which professions’
members are considered to
be the biggest liars. Places
5th to 2nd were taken by the
following professions: trade
union leaders, company
directors, ministers, and
politicians. Who were on the
top of the list?
For which invention did
American engineer Douglas
Engelbart receive one of
the world’s largest invention
prizes of $500,000?
Six foxes catch six hens in
six minutes. How many foxes
will be needed to catch sixty
hens in sixty minutes?
Hewlett-Packard founders
used this method to
determine the name of their
burgeoning company.
1.Romannumerals2.Roundcoverscan’tfallthroughacircularopening.3.Fivecents4.100%5.Thematch6.Astaircase
7.Herbirthdayisonthe29thofFebruary–shewasborninaleapyear,whichoccursonlyonceeveryfouryears.8.Turnthepool45degreesandincreaseitsarea2times
9.Journalists10.Heinventedthecomputermouse.11.Sixfoxes12.Theytossedacoin.
1. 5.
6.
2.
3. 7.
8.
12.
11.
10.
9.
4.
TiitBlaat/Delfi

10. 18 19
Have the courage to
follow your heart and
intuition. They somehow
already know what you
truly want to become.
Steve Jobs
The Development Centre focuses especially on
fashion designers, interior decorators, and all ent-
repreneurs working in creative fields. We provide
designers with a variety of collaborative platforms,
including those for co-marketing and establishing
business contacts. Cooperation helps creative ent-
repreneurs become more visible to customers and
other important target groups.
The series of trainings and seminars organised by
the Development Centre cover important topics in
terms of improving business capability, such as
business models, branding, product development,
intellectual property, and export market entry stra-
tegy. We invite creative entrepreneurs and repre-
sentatives of all other business sectors to join our
training courses and events because we believe in
cross-sectoral synergy. One of the most popular
and successful events is our monthly series of eve-
ning seminars called After Hours, where vital topics
are presented by experts of relevant fields. As of
2007, every last week of August, we organise our
two-day Summer School that focuses on various
business topics and always involves entrepreneurs
from abroad.
Creative Industries
Development Centre
KERTTU LOHU
Founder of Sõsar
The business incubator is a good
growth platform for those who al-
ready have a business idea but lack
necessary knowledge of business
basics. The incubator provides the
startup with both brilliant advice
from field experts and varied fi-
nancial support. One need only be
open-minded to take advantage of
the opportunities offered. It is an
excellent nest to raise and develop
your company in.
ALLAN PROOSO
Founder of Ra Sun
Joining the incubator, I wasn’t quite
a layman/amateur in business, but
the experience I got was still re-
ally beneficial thanks to the high
professionalism of consultants
and trainers. Despite the fact that
some things discussed there were
not new to me, it helped boost my
self-confidence and courage to de-
velop my business.
KATRIN KULDMA
Designer, creator
of the brand Amanjeda
by Katrin Kuldma
My cooperation with the Tallinn
Business Incubator has turned out
to be unexpectedly interesting. I ac-
knowledge the future-oriented and
inspiring performance of the incu-
bator’s team. In addition to their
praiseworthy work with emerging
entrepreneurs, I highly appreciate
their substantial cooperation with
companies with longer histories.
The incubator’s team is profession-
al, creative, and responsible and
has a clear focus on future visions.
Experience
In 2010, we started providing consulting, training, and development services to people and
companies with business models in creative industries. The aim of these services is to facili-
tate development of products and services in the field of creative industry as well as entering
the market through international networking and cooperation.

11. 20 21
Participation in Panorama fashion
trade show in Berlin and opening
of a pop-up store during the Berlin
Fashion Week
International activities
An important part of Development Centre’s international cooperation is organisation
and participation in showrooms in Estonia and abroad. Entrepreneurs find future sales
channels through such activities.
2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2018
Birmingham international jewellery
festival Brilliantly Birmingham,
exhibition at the Birmingham Museum
and Art Gallery
For almost two months, an incubator
graduate, Doctor of Arts Kärt
Summatavet (EHEsummatavet OÜ),
a glass artist Anne-Liis Leht (Annkris-
Glass OÜ), and a jewellery designer
Gvido Valickis (GM Jewellery Design
OÜ) have been introducing their art
collections.
This showroom aimed at introducing
products and services of Estonian
designers, find cooperation partners,
and establish business contacts
in Helsinki. 11 fashion and interior
accessories designers participated in
the showroom with their collections.
For the first time in Berlin, an intensive,
multi-episodic joint exhibition of
8 accessory brands and press days,
organised in cooperation with the
PR-agency SILK, introduced creations
of Estonian designers.
In St. Petersburg, Estonian fashion
designers, video and animation artists,
and service designers presented
their creations.
This traditional Lille/Roubaix fashion
event was attended by approximately
20,000 visitors. Küllike Tuvikene, Tiina
Andron, Hele Padar, Kristel Suigussaar,
Liisa Soolepp, Kätlin Kaljuvee, New
Vintage by Kriss, Astrid Rajalo, Kadri
Kruus, Mare Kelpman, Embassy of
Fashion (Aldo Järvsoo and Riina
Põldroos), Kalle HT, and #jonurm
introduced their creations at the
fashion fair.
Exhibition of Estonian fashion design
and organisation of customer evenings
during the Days of Tallinn in
St. Petersburg
Showroom of Estonian fashion design
“Latest Looks From Across The Sea”
in Helsinki
Roubaix fashion tradeshow Marche
des Modes, in cooperation with the
local fashion incubator Maisons
de Mode, Tartu Centre for Creative
Industries and the Ministry of Culture
of Estonia
The Berlin exhibition
“Estonian Fashion and European
Lifestyle Design”

12. 22
In spring 2017, we are opening a new sales and exhibition space for Estonian fashion and
design – Tallinn Design House. Tallinn Design House is an innovative, multifunctional environ-
ment, where shoppers and design enthusiasts alike can have interactive meetings with the
best products Estonian design industry can offer.
Tallinn Design House
By opening the art space in Rotermann
City, we are expanding the former faci-
lities of the showroom ZERO° – visitors
will now be able to get acquainted with
the entire Estonian design exhibition
from fashion to furniture. A stylish inter-
ior and special attention paid to every
design brand exhibited will create an
unforgettable shopping experience.
Modern IT solutions will enable de-
signers to introduce their brands and
products both in real time and in recor-
dings. In addition to selling and exhibi-
tion spaces, we provide designers with
an opportunity to organise networking
events. The new facility will also be
suitable for smaller meetings, works-
hops, and video sessions. In the future,
the Tallinn Design House will definitely
become an attractive cultural destina-
tion, introducing Estonian design at an
international level.
We invite all fashion and design
communities from Estonia and abroad
to organise events in the inspiring en-
vironment of the Tallinn Design House!
NEW SHOWROOM

13. 24
MELT Forum
MELT Forum brings together entrepreneurs of creative
industries and other business sectors in order to faci-
litate cooperation between them. The main idea of the
MELT Forum is to help companies improve their market
positions, increase their international competitiveness,
and find new business models.
Design Market
BAZAAR
Since 2012, our pre-Christmas design market Bazaar is tradi-
tionally held in the first week of December. For just one day, all
three floors of the Creative Incubator become a giant design
store, providing an opportunity to shop fashion items, jewellery,
leather accessories, home furnishings, and many other exciting
goods.
Ringliiklus
(Orbital Motion)
The project Ringliiklus started in 2010 and has since taken place
annually in May. It is a business meeting allowing everyone to
gather advice from the best business experts.
CREA
CREA is a Network of Summer Academies for the improve-
ment of entrepreneurship in innovative sectors. CREA Summer
Academy is a good starting platform to improve entrepreneur-
ial knowledge, acquire working experience in an international
team, and establish a startup with export ambitions. The best
business ideas of the summer academies are introduced to in-
ternational investors in cooperation with the Estonian Business
Angels Network, EstBAN.
Loomehäkk
(Creative Hack)
Loomehäkk is an event organised in collaboration with Creative
Estonia, Mektory, and Tallinn University, aimed at developing a
product or service. It brings together representatives of various
sectors (designers, engineers, business developers) to convert
innovative ideas into new business models and enhance already
existing products.

14. 26
Creative Incubator is located in Tallinn city centre in the historic district of Veerenni. The factory building of
the famous Estonian fashion brand Baltika occupies a privileged place alongside the contemporary modern-
ist architecture in the middle of the district. The space now serves as a common home for a variety of busi-
nesses – from world famous startup companies to novices in the design world.
CREATIVE INCUBATOR
OFFERS:
40 offices, studios, and
workshops of different sizes
(7–46 m2
)
3 meeting rooms with
projection equipment
A library
An open office
A living room and a kitchen
Creative Incubator
Veerenni 24C, Tallinn

15. 28
Kopli Business Incubator is located in a house with a sea view in the most dynamic and rapidly developing
district of the Estonian capital, Põhja-Tallinn. Green surroundings, the creative spirit of Kalamaja, seashore at-
tractions, and convenient transport infrastructure have made the incubator an attractive place for companies
working in this area. The incubator occupies the third floor of the Kopli Vocational School.
KOPLI BUSINESS
INCUBATOR OFFERS:
22 offices and studios of
different sizes (7–46 m2
)
A large meeting and training
room with projection equip-
ment
A kitchen
Kopli Business Incubator
Kopli 98, Tallinn

16. 30
We’re gambling
on our vision,
and we’d rather
do that than make
‘me-too’ products.
Steve Jobs
The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs by Carmine Gallo
With
Compliments!
Tallinn Business Incubators
Veerenni 24, 10135 Tallinn
Tel +372 604 0620
info@inkubaator.ee
inkubaator.tallinn.ee

17. The issue of this material was supported within the framework of the
Enterprise Estonia Foundation’s project “Developing Tallinn Creative Incubator
and providing high-quality diverse supportive services to starting businesses” (EU49110).