We are excited to reveal the 7 ventures that have made it to the Creative Industries Pitching Competition!
TOP 7 ventures from across the creative industries step forward to pitch their boldest ideas to the panel of judges. Representing diverse fields and fresh perspectives, these finalists will each deliver a 3-minute pitch, followed by a 2-minute Q&A, showcasing their market potential, competitive edge, and readiness to take a transformative leap forward. The overall winner will be revealed on the main stage of sTARTUp Day. The competition is moderated by Maret Ahonen.
“We saw an unprecedented number of international applicants this year, and companies are capturing more investor attention than we’ve seen before. The creative economy is consistently getting more appeal for investors year-over-year. We’re especially thrilled to see that our Estonian companies are seriously stepping up their competitive game!” said Külli Hansen, Director of the Tartu Centre for Creative Industries.
The 7 ventures who made it to the Creative Industries Pitching Competition are:
Maru VR Productions (EST) – Portfolio of virtual reality games. Games released on global platforms (Steam, PlayStation, Meta, etc.)
FilmLink (EST) – Platform for film industry that keeps communication, files, and workflows aligned.
Lõhnakas (EST) – Custom scent solutions and experiences that build brand identity for businesses, emotional connection and self-expression for individuals.
Robothai (EST) – Grannies on Wheels is a single screen co-op party game where Monster Truck driving Grannies fight for jam and survival!
Stampy.Guru (EST) – Mobile-friendly digital loyalty platform that replaces paper stamp cards, helping small and medium businesses reward customers and reduce paper waste.
Synchub (EST) – Music licensing platform that connects artists, labels, and publishers with music buyers through transparent pricing, smart search, and streamlined licensing, making independent music more accessible.
Valvur (EST) – Shielding kids from scams and unwanted game spending, giving families safe digital and payment protection.
The finalists will be evaluated by an experienced international jury, bringing together expertise from the creative industries, investment and innovation.
The jury includes:
- Külli Hansen – Director of the Tartu Centre for Creative Industries
- Rain Rannu – Screenwriter, film director, investor, and entrepreneur
- Kati Uusi-Rauva – Director of EIT Culture & Creativity North Region
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Tartu Centre for Creative Industries invites creative companies to participate in the Creative Industries Pitching Competition, which will take place during sTARTUp Day 2026!
All creative sector companies with clear market potential and a competitive advantage are welcome to apply — especially those who need support to make a development leap and have not previously received awards in the Creative Industries Pitching Competition.
To participate, please submit an application by December 15, 2025.
Along with the application form, please include an up to 3-minute video introducing your business idea and development plans. The best applicants will have the opportunity to pitch their idea to the jury on the sTARTUp Day pitching stage. The pitch will be limited to 3 minutes.
Selected participants will receive a free sTARTUp Day ticket, which also grants access to investor meetings.
The main prize of the competition is a 3000€ development grant provided by the Tartu Centre for Creative Industries.
The winner will be announced during the sTARTUp Day closing ceremony.
Creative Industries Pitching Competition is powered by EIT Culture & Creativity.
December 15 – deadline for submitting applications for Creative Industries Pitching Competition
January 9 – announcement of teams at sTARTUp Day Pitcing stage
January 14 -online pitching training for participants
January 19-23 – individual training on request online/on spot
January 30 – pitching at the sTARTUp Day Pitching stage
Click here and see our last years at sTARTUp Day!