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TalTech Mektory
Published on 06 November 2018
Estonia
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Innovation and Business Centre Mektory was founded in 2013 and established by Tallinn University of Technology (one of the largest technology university in the Baltics), located in the campus same campus with Tallinn Science Park Tehnopol Foundation. The aim of Mektory is to encourage the cooperation between the academia and private sector, namely bringing together the university research capacity, students, laboratories and SMEs, corporates to make the technology transfer and R&D projects happen. Mektory was built in strong cooperation with private sector companies and institutions.
FOR COMPANIES: Bringing together scientists, students and entrepreneurs; solve practical product development problems and generate new intelligent ideas.
FOR STUDENTS OR FOR FACULTY: helping to tie theoretical studies at the university with the practical side to the maximum possible extent. To prepare better-trained engineers with an experience of cooperation with companies.
FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL YOUTH: encouraging student start-up companies to grow and move forward.
FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN: addressing the upcoming generation and show that engineering is exciting, feasible and down to earth. Numerous possibilities have been created in the house for children.
FOR THE SOCIETY: valuing internationalization and diversity, because these days, success is only guaranteed by combining different cultures, working habits, ideas and interesting solutions.
FOR COMPANIES: Bringing together scientists, students and entrepreneurs; solve practical product development problems and generate new intelligent ideas.
FOR STUDENTS OR FOR FACULTY: helping to tie theoretical studies at the university with the practical side to the maximum possible extent. To prepare better-trained engineers with an experience of cooperation with companies.
FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL YOUTH: encouraging student start-up companies to grow and move forward.
FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN: addressing the upcoming generation and show that engineering is exciting, feasible and down to earth. Numerous possibilities have been created in the house for children.
FOR THE SOCIETY: valuing internationalization and diversity, because these days, success is only guaranteed by combining different cultures, working habits, ideas and interesting solutions.
Expert opinion
TalTech Mektory is a good example of how universities (researchers, students and laboratories) and businesses (SMEs and corporations) can cooperate in R&D activities and generate innovation as an outcome. The business centre provides an easy access platform for companies who otherwise would not know which department and whom to approach with their inquiries and cooperation proposals. Mektory also manages the technology transfer pipeline.
The strength of the practice is its broad approach in providing different support activities and generating possibilities to different target groups. Companies, faculty and students, but also school children, can get benefits from the business centre. The latter is a vital aspect in generating excitement in entrepreneurship and STEM education and explaining how these two come together.
The strength of the practice is its broad approach in providing different support activities and generating possibilities to different target groups. Companies, faculty and students, but also school children, can get benefits from the business centre. The latter is a vital aspect in generating excitement in entrepreneurship and STEM education and explaining how these two come together.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
The annual budget of 1,2MEUR indicated for the administration costs, B2B matchmaking, event management, knowledge transfer and support, technology transfer, coaching and mentoring, maintenance and lab administration. The staff of Mektory consists of 28 people.
Evidence of success
No. of joint cooperation/projects tackling policy instruments - ca 300.
No. of common network events - ca 50 annually.
No. of formal agreements on future regional cooperation's between stakeholders - 12.
Description of other short-time and long-time effects in the region :
- ST: increasing number of student start-ups, know-how, practical knowledge transfer;
- LT: laboratories, prototyping, collaboration between universities and companies.
No. of common network events - ca 50 annually.
No. of formal agreements on future regional cooperation's between stakeholders - 12.
Description of other short-time and long-time effects in the region :
- ST: increasing number of student start-ups, know-how, practical knowledge transfer;
- LT: laboratories, prototyping, collaboration between universities and companies.
Potential for learning or transfer
Common gateway for companies to collaborate the university – Companies and private sector in general does not know how to approach universities and other R&D institutions if they encounter the need. This process should be made as easy as possible for the companies. Initiative and tech-challenge marketplace like Adapter (common gateway to approach all the universities in Estonia) is a good example for doing that. Mektory is also providing TalTech related services for private sector and is managing the pipeline of technology transfers and challenges.
Testing and lab facilities – There should be an opened set of labs and R&D facilities that the private sector and students can use, to test and try new innovative products. It also helps to build a community of students and companies interested in innovation and development.
Collaborative start-up programs – Start-up mind-set can be injected to the students through different programs that are conducted by Mektory.
Testing and lab facilities – There should be an opened set of labs and R&D facilities that the private sector and students can use, to test and try new innovative products. It also helps to build a community of students and companies interested in innovation and development.
Collaborative start-up programs – Start-up mind-set can be injected to the students through different programs that are conducted by Mektory.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Tallinn University of Tehcnology Innovation and Business Centre Mektory
Estonia
Eesti