IAS Business Academy
IAS Business Academy is an international cooperation project led by Tartu Science Park in collaboration with partners from Finland and Sweden. The program aims to support innovative drone and aerial service companies (Innovative Aerial Services – IAS) in scaling and internationalizing by providing them with knowledge, networks, and practical opportunities.
The program is designed for companies from Estonia, Finland, and Sweden operating in the aerial services sector, who already have market-ready solutions and ambition to expand to international markets.
Program structure
IAS Business Academy will be carried out as two one-year programs:
- Batch 1: January – December 2026 (applications open in October–November 2025)
- Batch 2: January – December 2027 (applications open in October–November 2026)
Each batch will include around 25 companies, bringing the total to approximately 50 participating companies. In addition, around 40 companies will take part in the open events of the academy (e.g., online training sessions and seminars).
Key elements of the program
Regular training sessions and workshops (12 sessions per year):
- Industry trends, emerging technologies, regulations, and certifications
- Success stories and peer-to-peer lessons
- International sales, leadership, and company culture
- Product development and production scaling
- Financial management and funding opportunities
Expert support – each company will receive around 40 hours of international expert consulting to overcome their most pressing growth challenges.
Study and trade missions to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden:
- Meetings with corporations, municipalities, and testing facilities
- Networking and matchmaking
- Investor meetings
Demonstration projects – testing solutions in sandbox environments or real-life settings in cooperation with public or private stakeholders.
Participation in international fairs and events, such as Amsterdam Drone Week or XPONENTIAL.
Support for companies
Each participating company will receive support valued at €10,000 – €15,000. Companies are required to cover only 20% of the costs related to expert support, study trips, demonstration projects, and participation in international events.
