Ajujaht accepts applications to the programme until the end of this week. Similar to last year, start-ups and teams who wish to reach investor readiness and scalability are invited to participate. More than 300,000 euros worth of subsidies and investments await those who take part of the accelerator programme. 

According to Eve Peeterson, head of Startup Estonia, there is great interest in participating in the programme and applications can be submitted only until the end of this week. Similar to the previous season, startups that already have a product or service, as well as the first test customers, benefit the most from Ajujaht. Companies that participate in the programme are matched with mentors, investors, key contacts and organizations to help them grow rapidly.  

“The turnover figures and investments of Estonian start-ups set records last year, regardless of the fact that in other parts of the world we could rather see a decline. This certainly shows the maturity and resilience of our start-ups, for which various accelerator programs, including Ajujaht, prepare them,” said the head of Startup Estonia. She added that although for many, Ajujaht is primarily associated with the TV show, the most valuable part takes place off-camera, and the teams that make it to the accelerator program can already be considered as winners. 

According to Mailiis Ploomann, the head of Elisa’s private client unit and a long-time Ajujaht mentor, Elisa’s main focus topics for the upcoming Ajujaht season are cyber security, the preservation of national culture and the sustainable consumption of green energy. It is important to understand that all these topics are reflected in almost every person’s daily life, and the applications and solutions are not independent. 

“Just like kindergarten teachers who teach the basics of cyber hygiene to preschoolers and the creators of deep-tech anti-virus models are equally involved in cyber security, very different teams can be defined under these three areas. It is for this reason that we look forward to the beginning of the season with great excitement, and we are ready to contribute to the success of the teams in every way,” Ploommann explained. 

Ajujaht’s prize fund is more than 300,000 euros, and the supporters of the programme put out special thematic prizes.

The Ajujaht accelerator programme and TV competition is a collaboration between the public and private sectors. It was initiated by the joint agency of Enterprise Estonia and KredEx. The partner of the program is SEB, and the sponsors are Elisa and Microsoft Estonian Development Center. In addition, the program is supported by law firm TRINITI, Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu. Ajujaht is carried out by CIVITTA, Optimist and ERR. Over the years, nearly 5,000 business ideas have been submitted to Ajujaht, and several of them have grown into local and international success stories. The best-known examples include Bolt, Bikeep, Click & Grow, GoWorkaBit, FoodDocs, Groveneer, Timbeter, and many others