USD 100 mln Dubai EXPO fund made available to Estonian companies

TALLINN - In connection with Estonia's participation in the 2020 Dubai EXPI, Estonian companies have been given the opportunity to apply for a one-off grant in the amount of up to 100,000 dollars in the framework of the 100 million dollar EXPO Live program.

All companies that create social innovation can apply for support.

"To date, the 100 million dollar EXPO Live fund has funded 121 projects from 65 countries. Latvian and Finnish companies have already received support, so it is definitely worth grabbing the opportunity and submitting an application," Andres Kask, head of Estonia's EXPO representation, said. "Financial support is one thing, but another is being a member of the EXPO's innovation club -- the Expo Live Global Innovators Community --, which offers an excellent opportunity for establishing contacts across the world," he added.

Applications can be submitted by companies from different sectors with activities or projects that fit into the Dubai EXPO 2020 sub-themes, namely sustainability, mobility and the creation of new opportunities. The main theme of the world exhibition is to build a better future for all humanity together. Startups as well as larger companies and organizations can apply. The important thing is that the applicant's idea has reached at least the prototype level and the product has social, environmental or humanitarian implications. The deadline for submissions for the current round is September 15.

In addition, companies can still join the exposition of the Estonian pavilion. Estonian representation of the SA EXPO 2020 Dubai foundation, which started work four months ago, has by now received first confirmations from companies and organizations wishing to introduce themselves and Estonia as well as find new partners from across the world. These companies and organizations include the Digital Construction Cluster, the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications, CybExer Technologies, ETS Nord, GoSwift, Milrem Robotics, Nortal and Standard.