Arpengen
Arpengen is an Estonian-based biotechnology company dedicated to advancing molecular biology through high-performance DNA/RNA extraction kits. Our products are engineered to deliver exceptional yield, purity, and consistency, making them indispensable tools for academic research, clinical diagnostics, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical sectors. By integrating precision with speed, we streamline nucleic acid purification, empowering researchers to accelerate scientific breakthroughs.
Our team brings together expertise in molecular biology, product development, and laboratory operations. We are driven by a shared mission: to improve data quality and research outcomes through innovative, reliable solutions.
Why did you join the program?
We joined the Sparkup Incubator to strengthen our business and product development with expert mentorship, connect with Estonia’s thriving startup ecosystem, and prepare for international expansion. We see this program as a valuable opportunity to accelerate our growth and deepen our impact in the life sciences field.
FireSand
FireSand OÜ’s mission is to make the hiking and military fields safer and more convenient with its innovative fuel tablet, which burns cleanly, is environmentally safe, efficient, and ignites instantly even in cold, windy, and damp conditions. After burning, only a small amount of eco-friendly clean sand remains. The tablet is easy to ignite and multifunctional – ideal for heating food and water during hikes or military exercises, as well as for lighting campfires or grills in challenging conditions.
The FireSand team consists of complementary people with diverse backgrounds and expertise, united by a shared passion for science-based entrepreneurship:
Martin Timusk (CEO & CTO) – a physicist with a PhD and Associate Professor of Materials Science at the University of Tartu, with more than 16 years of research and development experience. He is also the inventor of the FireSand fuel tablet.
Martin Kannel (COO) – an experienced IT manager with a PhD in physics, who brings operational precision to the company and is responsible for smooth organisational management.
Raido Rõivas (CBDO) – with more than 20 years of experience in sales and team leadership, he leads FireSand’s marketing and sales activities both domestically and internationally.
Additionally, we are supported by graphic and web designer Iti-Marleen Plink and sales specialist Martin Põder.
Why did you join the program?
Joining the Sparkup Incubator allows Firesand to take product development and market entry to the next level. Through the program, we can increase our visibility, prepare for investor meetings, and present ourselves at Startup Day. We can also test and improve the product in collaboration with the Estonian Defence Forces and the Scouts Battalion, including developing the necessary accessories.
The program also enables us to refine our marketing and sales strategy to communicate the value of our innovative fuel tablet more clearly and effectively to different target groups.
Spiral Hydrogen
Spiral Hydrogen is a startup to make green hydrogen more accessible and cheaper than fossil fuel–based hydrogen. We are developing novel electrolysers that use centrifugal force to pump liquids and prevent gas bubbles from forming on the electrodes, which usually hinder chemical reactions. For these reasons, our device has significantly higher efficiency (95% compared to the usual 60–70%) and a lower electrolyser stack cost.
Why did you join the program?
We joined the Sparkup Incubator to build a full prototype and to find cooperation partners for developing a pilot project.
