Prototron has selected the TOP 10 companies that will continue competing for a €75,000 prize fund. The TOP 3 finalists, who will split the prize fund, will be announced at the final competition on November 27th.
“The selection process was incredibly challenging,” noted Brait Pilvik, CEO of Prototron. He explained that out of 204 applications, 40 were shortlisted and invited to join the development program. “I’m pleased to see that application numbers remain high and are on an upward trend. Prototron provides these TOP 40 innovators with a comprehensive preparatory course to support them from idea to prototype and ultimately to a viable solution. With five teams competing for each spot, the selection process was far from easy,” added Pilvik.
Prototron, established through the combined efforts of Swedbank, TalTech, and the Tehnopol Science and Business Park, aims to support and finance the development of technological prototypes. According to Brait Pilvik, the high number of applications highlights an unmet demand in the market. “Many great ideas never reach the prototyping or development stage due to a lack of skills and knowledge. To bridge this gap, our three partners have joined forces to help aspiring entrepreneurs bring unique, innovative solutions to market. We assist companies in taking their first steps by supporting them in prototype creation, a critical moment in turning a business idea into reality.”
From the TOP 40 teams that joined the development program, Prototron’s jury has selected the TOP 10 to compete for the €75,000 prize fund, which will be awarded to the TOP 3 finalists. “Judging by the participants’ enthusiasm and dedication, competition for the TOP 3 spots will be intense. What makes the decision particularly tough is the diversity of ideas among the top contenders, ranging from biodiversity, health, and internal security to management software and AI solutions,” Pilvik summarized.
The jury making these selections included Agnes Roos, Crystella Sokk, Karin Künnapas, Raul Kirsimäe, Liis Laanesaar, Mari-Liis Kikas, Indrek Kaldoja, Jana Bogmatser, Toomas Seppel, Andres Kivi, Vladislav Linko, Alex Luik, Kristi Jõeäär, Liine Jänes, Annika Ljaš-Eilat, Martin Hanson, Andrei Nikonov, Heigo Mõlder, Reelika Ein, Tarmo Härmaorg, and Taavi Kõiv.
The TOP 10 Companies are:
- Antscape – Develops an application that analyzes landscape layers, geography, and climate to provide data-driven recommendations for plant diversity and cultivation planning, reducing water use and pesticide dependency.
- BatteryCooling – Offers a portable solution for cooling electric vehicle batteries post-fire. It uses a heat-resistant cooling basin filled with water to prevent battery reignition.
- Cenzor – Creates a digital logbook for tracking maintenance history of technical equipment, offering businesses an efficient tool to record, store, and access maintenance data.
- ChargeIQ – Provides smart charging solutions for real estate owners to meet the growing demand for public charging stations for micro-mobility devices like e-scooters and laptops, creating new revenue streams.
- Expand.fm – An automated brain monitoring solution for intensive care units, using machine learning models to process EEG recordings and help medical staff make critical clinical decisions.
- Laflow – Develops a biomedical device that uses low-intensity vibrations to address breastfeeding issues like low milk flow, swelling, and mastitis, offering a portable, pain-free solution for mothers.
- MastSmart – A smart flag-raising system for those interested in automating the flag-hoisting process, compatible with smart home ecosystems.
- Subscale – Brings to market energy-efficient hybrid modular data centers designed to reduce environmental impact and costs, meeting the global demand for scalable, sustainable data storage.
- Truu Estonia – An AI-based recruitment platform that matches job seekers with employers by analyzing skills, preferences, and career goals to optimize talent matching.
- uku.ai – Aims to improve AI reliability for use in critical sectors like e-governance, healthcare, and finance, through a neuro-symbolic AI prototype focused on transparency and trustworthiness.
Swedbank, TalTech, and Tehnopol jointly established Prototron to support and fund the creation of technological prototypes. Over the past decade, Prototron has funded 102 projects with around €1.3 million, with these teams subsequently attracting over €85 million in follow-up investments.
