Powering the Baltic Bioeconomy: Estonia–Latvia–Lithuania Pitching Event

The event is organised under the BIOEAST Initiative and the BOOST4BIOEAST project, coordinated by the Estonian BIOEAST Hub at the Estonian University of Life Sciences.

The event spotlights two key themes

THEME 1: BIOWASTE REDUCTION AND VALORISATION – Focuses on transforming underutilised organic waste from agriculture, food, forestry, and bio-based materials into high-value, commercially viable products. By addressing environmental impacts, improving recycling of biobased materials, and reducing food waste, the theme calls for innovative, scalable solutions such as modular bioprocessing technologies, advanced recycling methods, and sustainable conversion processes to turn waste into valuable resources within a circular bioeconomy.

THEME 2 (alternative description): Focuses on increasing public understanding, acceptance, and engagement through innovative education, communication, behavioural change strategies, and broader stakeholder collaboration. With awareness still limited in Central and Eastern Europe, the theme encourages diverse and creative solutions—from learning tools and digital approaches to awareness campaigns and cross-sector initiatives. By strengthening cooperation between education, industry, and other stakeholders, and promoting sustainable consumption and career pathways, it aims to build the knowledge, skills, and enabling environment needed to advance the circular bioeconomy.

Deadline for application: 24 April, 17.00 (EET). Extended to 3 May, 17.00 (EET).

Note! Up to four teams per theme will be selected for the pitching final in Tartu.

Travel costs: The organisers will provide partial support for travel costs. Selected participants must submit an estimated budget before booking any travel. The organisers will review this and confirm the eligible amount. Only pre-approved travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Accommodation: Participants are responsible for arranging and covering their own accommodation costs.

Pitching Date: 12 May 2026 (on-site only)

Venue: Estonian University of Life Sciences, Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 1a, 51006, Tartu, Estonia.

Prizes for the winners: Details are available on the general pitching events page.

Confirmed Investors and jury members:

• Andrus Kurvits, Board Member at Tartu Science Park “Sparkup”.
• Mart Maasik, General Partner at Nordic Science Investments.

Moderator: Mayri Tiido, Circular Economy expert.

EVALUATION CRITERIA
Eligible applications will be evaluated based on the following:

• Adequacy of the solution:
  • Alignment with the selected theme
  • Relevance to the problem and key issues
• Quality of the submission:
  • Clarity, structure, and logic
  • Level of innovation and added value
• Impact and implementation capacity:
  • Expected economic, environmental, and social impact
  • Feasibility and capacity of the team to implement the solution
  • Roadmap for scaling the innovation

Read more in the application guidelines.

Agenda

10.00 – 10.30 Introduction to the event – Mayri Tiido (moderator of the event)
10.30 – 11.00 Short pitching training for all teams facilitated by Mayri Tiido
11.00 – 12.00 Final pitch preparation for all teams (work separately in teams)
12.00 – 13.00 Lunch
13.00 – 14.00 Pitching round 1
14.00 – 14.10 Coffee break
14.10 – 15.10 Pitching Round 2
15.10 – 15.40 Evaluation of the teams by the jury members
15.40 – 16.00 Announcement of the overall winner

Travel tips

Travelling from Tallinn

Most international flights arrive at Tallinn Lennart Meri Airport, which is approximately 185 km from Tartu. There are several options to get to Tartu:

• By bus (from the airport)
  Buses depart directly from the airport. We recommend Lux Express; tickets should be purchased in advance at Tpilet. (Route: “Tallinn Airport” → “Tartu Coach Station”). After collecting your luggage, it takes about 10 minutes to walk to the bus stop. You can also request the bus to stop closer to the university at “Tartu Näitused”.
• By train (via Ülemiste)
  Ülemiste train station is located near the airport, next to Ülemiste Centre. You can either walk there or take a short taxi ride. From Ülemiste, take a train to Tartu. Timetables and tickets are available at Elron.
• Direct flights to Tartu
  It is also possible to fly directly to Tartu Airport with Finnair (via Helsinki). Tartu Airport is located about 10 km from the city centre, and from there you can reach your destination by taxi or pre-arranged transport.

Additional information is available on the Travel in Estonia website.

Travelling in Tartu

• From the central bus station
  To reach the venue, you can use public transport (e.g. buses no. 1, 6, 69) or a free shuttle bus operated by the nearby shopping centre.
• From the train station
  Several bus routes are available. The most direct option is bus no. 1 from “Lembitu”. Tickets can be purchased on board using a contactless card. More information available here.
  
• Taxi/ride-sharing
  You can also use Bolt (via the Bolt app) for convenient transport around the city.
  

Getting to the Estonian University of Life Sciences campus (Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 1)

• ~10 minutes by taxi/Bolt
• ~40 minutes by bus no. 6
• ~60 minutes on foot