Tartu-developed tech sparks pilot project talks in Japan
Tartu City Government Press Release
/ GaltTec, an energy technology start-up based in Tartu, has conducted a first out-of-lab demonstration of their fuel cell technology and has reached discussions of potential pilot projects on the international stage, starting in Japan.
GaltTec’s solutions offer new possibilities for energy production and storage in a number of areas, including the development of portable devices and drones. The company’s story began with a failed laboratory experiment while attempting to develop ultra-thin needles, which led to the discovery of a new fuel cell technology.
‘Rapid development was made possible through support from the University of Tartu and the Tartu Science Park. We were able to set up the necessary laboratory facilities in Tartu; the university is producing young talent, and the city is home to a strong entrepreneurial network. GaltTec is now ready to start with demonstrations outside the lab, which will enable the launch of the first open innovation projects’, said Laura Elise Arvisto, co-CEO of GaltTec.
In May 2024, a delegation from the City of Tartu participated in the largest startup conference in Asia, SusHi Tech Tokyo, where they made contacts with many Japanese corporations. ‘Many our potential partners are looking for innovative energy solutions to improve energy efficiency in the construction sector. We’ll have follow up meetings with Kajima Corporation, ACSL, a Japanese drone manufacturer, and many others to physically demonstrate how GaltTec’s technology could improve partners operations, among other things,’ said Arvisto as she summed up the past year.
Roomer Tarajev, Head of the Department of Business Development of the City of Tartu, added that the city has been actively developing relations with Japan for three years. With the active support of the Estonian Embassy in Tokyo and the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency, the city has been able to successfully introduce Tartu’s businesses to the Japanese market and host Japanese corporations in Tartu.
‘It is very difficult to build successful relationships over long distances, you must be active and present on location. Estonia enjoys a very good reputation in Japan, and open cooperation is the key to fruitful business relations’, said Tarajev.
Oliver Ait, the economic advisor at the Estonian Embassy in Japan, confirmed that Tartu has successfully found ways to make itself more visible on the international stage. ‘If the city can continue to bring together excellence in science, the courage of the start-up world, and the interest of private enterprise, we will see more of these success stories’, said Ait.
The collaboration between GaltTec and the City of Tartu shows how ideas born in Tartu can achieve global reach through scientific breakthroughs, international contacts, and public support. The City of Tartu has also recently joined the G-NETS network of cities, established by the City of Tokyo, in which experiences on sustainable urban development at the international level are exchanged.
Last changed 07.05.2025
