25-05-2017

Estonia to launch a global content and media tech incubator Storytek

    Storytek, a new content and media tech incubator launches in Tallinn, Estonia with a purpose to help content creators, producers and early stage digital media startups and entrepreneurs to fast-track their product and services to the global markets as well as help them to access new forms of mentoring and financing from venture capital and the tech community. Enterprise Estonia, the business development and export support platform of Estonian government has funded Storytek through its Creative Incubators support program.

    Storytek is founded by private investors and backed by Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (BNFF), and its industry platform Industry@Tallinn &; Baltic Event following a pilot held during the last year's BNFF. The new initiative will be headed by Sten-Kristian Saluveer, the former Head of Development & Special Projects at BNFF as well as ICT and content executive Hedi Mardisoo.

    The goal of Storytek is to address the radical shift in the content industry and open up new opportunities to producers in the field of global IP development, character licensing as well content and media technology. The 10-week incubation program held in Tallinn will select up to 20 global projects with the high market potential to go through a business first boot camp including mentoring on IP valuation, marketing, and audience development as well introduction and prototyping new digital platforms and technologies. Projects should be either audiovisual (feature and short form film, television, web series), virtual or artificial reality, media and mobile tech. Projects must have a potential for IP licensing or multi-platform storytelling and have an initial proof of concept or extended project package and financing plan in place. For media tech projects an initial mock-up or a prototype of the product or service will be required.

    The incubator program will end with a demo and pitch day to regional and international investors with the best projects receiving up to three years residency at Storytek with a year-round sales and PnA support. Selected producers will also benefit from complimentary Estonian e-residency program and a free of charge business entity that will give them access to Estonia's highly acclaimed digital business and finance ecosystem as well as eligibility to other sources of European soft financing and funds. Additionally Storytek will hold an annual IP and digital content conference and targeted hackathons and project events during major markets.

    Some of Storytek's international mentoring and advisory pool will include Odin's Eye Entertainment's CEO Michael Favelle, John Heinsen, Founder and Executive Producer, Bunnygraph Entertainment, and Laura Anne Edwards, Technology and Innovation Subcommittee at U.S. Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on Public-Private Partnerships.

    “The shifts in the production and distribution landscape have opened up enormous creative opportunities for producers to engage audiences on new platforms, but more importantly access know-how and finances from the technology and venture capital community. We're excited to tap to Estonia's internationally known e-residency, technology, and investment resources to help storytellers and creatives, but as well as emerging entrepreneurs to get their stories and products global through Storytek's incubation program”, says Sten-Kristian Saluveer, CEO and Creative Officer at Storytek.

    “Besides a strong team, Storytek stands out by its fresh approach and synergy between different business sectors. Through Storytek we are looking forward to create new opportunities to both local and international entrepreneurs from production, animation, and other creative industries”, says Katre Purga, Program Manager at Enterprise Estonia.

    Storytek's call of applications will launch in July at storytek.eu with the first edition kicking off in September 2017.


    Contact details
    Sten Saluveer 
    phone: + 3725165242
    email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.