Singapore - Estonia University Cooperation

On 5th December, SMU Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with Zsolt Bugarszki from Tallinn University, hosted a sharing session that brought together universities and student startups from Singapore and Estonia.

The sharing session began with opening remarks by Priit Turk, the Estonian Ambassador to Singapore, emphasizing the role of student entrepreneurship in creating a global impact. Gabriel Soh followed with an introduction to the 12th edition of The Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC), designed to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs by facilitating a vibrant collision of ideas.

Estonian and Singaporean startups pitched their innovative solutions, highlighting how players across the ecosystem could support them to build a more connected and resilient startup network. Representatives from universities also discussed the need for sustained, expansive collaboration within the global Innovation and Entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Anastasia Pjatakova (Tallinn University - Estonia) presented her startup Unsume - an online repair platform which allows you to improve personal environmental footprint by extending the lifecycle of beloved items such as clothes, shoes & tech.

Kai Ning Lim (Singapore Management University - Singapore) presented her startup The Courage Chapter. They help senior professionals transition to their second chapters through meaningful projects with companies, leveraging their expertise for greater business impact.

Sybil Tong (Tallinn University - Estonia) presented her startup Pulu, a rental platform for children's toys which uses a closed loop model to allow parents to access educational toys for their children sustainably and affordably.

Pranav Prasad (Singapore Management University - Singapore) presented his startup ShareRight. Similar to Airbnb but focused on commercial spaces, ShareRight connects owners of idle or underutilized spaces with individuals or organizations seeking flexible and cost-effective venues for various purposes.

Yuwei Jiang (Tallinn University - Estonia) presented a digital platform which enables manufacturers to donate or resell the production waste to business and individual users, particularly raw materials, to foster sustainability and resource recycling for the industry.

Shou Yee (Singapore Management University - Singapore) of Ed-XP. A platform that brings Singapore's educational success to IBDP schools, teachers, and students all over the world. Ed-XP is all about breaking down barriers to education and making sure every student can access top-quality learning anytime, anywhere.

Nikolai Ovtsinnikov (Tallinn Technical University - Estonia) presented his startup ZapParkk. Using AI-driven camera systems and GPS-assisted navigation, ZapParkk provides real-time updates on parking availability and guides drivers to their closest spot. By optimizing parking flow and cutting down search times, ZapParkk transforms parking into a stress-free experience while reducing congestion and fuel consumption.

Tanvi R Thombre (Singapore Management University - Singapore) with her startup Greenairy builds smart plant towers that supercharge plants to purify air better than conventional air purifiers, tackling indoor air pollution.

Hend Khatab (Tallinn University - Estonia) presented their startup ÕppeSild that integrates seamlessly with the Estonian curriculum, offering an AI-driven platform tailored to each student’s needs for a personalized learning experience.

This sharing session marks the beginning of a broader initiative to create a global network of entrepreneurial students and universities through the Student Entrepreneurship Network (SEN). Building on the connections made during the event, SEN aims to extend this collaboration to include more universities, entrepreneurial students, and innovative startups worldwide.

By fostering a vibrant ecosystem of shared knowledge, mentorship, and collaboration, SEN empowers student entrepreneurs to scale their ideas, access international resources, and create impactful solutions across industries.

If you’re a student with an idea or startup, or a lecturer passionate about supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs, join the Student Entrepreneurship Network today.

Register now at SEN and become part of a growing global movement!