Through the Test in Tallinn programme, the city offers companies the opportunity to test their innovative smart city products and services in a real urban environment. In the most recent application round, three new projects were selected for piloting.

According to Deputy Mayor for Business and Circular Economy Margot Roose, Tallinn aims to become an even more collaboration-oriented city, and as proof of that, selected projects now also have the opportunity to test their solutions in the city of Heidelberg. “Test in Tallinn is more than just a testing platform – it is a strategic investment in the development of our city. This programme allows us to bring in smart solutions that improve our urban environment, strengthen international cooperation, and enhance Tallinn’s reputation as an innovative capital. It is equally important for us to provide Estonian companies with the chance to validate their solutions in the capital and serve as a springboard for export to other cities,” said Roose.

Mark-Emil Talivere, Innovation Expert at the City Enterprise Centre, says that Test in Tallinn builds a bridge between international innovators and an open city, enabling experimentation, learning, and growth. “We’re now in our third year, ready once again to stand alongside as a partner to help smart ideas grow into solutions that transform cities around the world. We’re proud that 38 innovation projects from different countries have already been launched through our support. Their stories are shared on the Tallinnovation podcast, where city, technology, and bold ideas meet,” Talivere explained.

Of the 14 proposals submitted in the May application round, the evaluation committee selected three projects for piloting in Tallinn:

🔹 Grantful (Estonia) will pilot TestInCity.com, a platform designed to simplify innovation project management and support information flow and collaboration between cities and companies. Over six months, the pilot will map out the tools and processes needed to evaluate the platform's value in municipal innovation efforts.
🔹 Jalud Embedded (Czechia) will test its Sound Event Detector (SED), a device capable of detecting and classifying urban sound anomalies in real time, such as glass breaking or gunshots. The aim is to assess the device’s accuracy, integration with city infrastructure, and potential to enhance public safety and noise monitoring.
🔹 Infrabyte (Poland) will test its iCDE platform, which centralises construction and renovation project documentation into a single data environment. The test will determine whether the solution meets the needs of Estonian municipalities and what adjustments might improve project management and transparency.

The programme allows companies to test their solutions for up to 12 months. Tallinn provides support by identifying suitable public properties or spaces for testing, connecting companies with the right city departments and contact points, and offering access to open data as needed for pilot implementation.

Test in Tallinn was recognised at the Estonian Government Office’s 2025 Public Sector Innovation Awards, where it won in the category for initiatives promoting economic growth.

Applications to the programme can be submitted at any time, and the innovation committee reviews and selects new projects on a quarterly basis. More information is available at: www.tallinn.ee/en/tallinnovation/testintallinn

The Tallinnovation podcast (in English language) can be found here.