Who can participate?

The Start Smart training program is open to all young people aged 15 to 29 with a migrant or refugee background, living in Estonia, who have an interest in entrepreneurship, a business dream, an idea, or an already existing business.The program combines entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence to help you create, innovate, and grow your own venture. Whether you are starting small or aiming higher — this is where your journey begins. The training will be conducted in Russian, but basic knowledge of English is required, as some of the tools used are in English.

How does it work?

The training program runs from September to November 2025 and consists of four workshops, preceded by a kick-off event and concluding with a cross-border online hackathon with participants from Finland. The learning sessions are structured into four weekly workshops, each lasting three hours and accompanied by assigned homework. Classes take place once a week in the format of a three-hour workshop followed by individual assignments.

The training covers the following topics (subject to change):

Workshop 1 - Understanding ​AI basics​ (basic technologies and definitions​, ecosystems and tools​, prompt design​, ethics and legal issues​)
Workshop 2 - AI for Business Planning​ (market and customer understanding​, defining the business idea​, Interactive Business Plan canvas)​
Workshop 3 - Business Prompting ​(AI tools for business​, AI for different business tasks​, AI for industry specific information​, AI enabled​ business coaching​)
Workshop 4 - AI for Business Success​ (marketing, sales and customer service​, cross-border business and networking (Q&A)​, future-proofing business)​

During the six week training programme, you will learn to utilize generative AI for business planning, ideation, operational tasks, branding and marketing as well as all the important things you need to know to start a successful business and to increase your competitiveness and growth potential. You will also network with other participants and trainers. 

To learn more about the training programme, please join the online information webinar on September 2, from 17:00 to 18:00.

After your application has been approved, you will receive all the necessary instructions. Participants will be announced on September 16, and confirmation of participation must be submitted by September 23. The kick-off event of the training program will take place on September 30 in Tallinn, and the program will conclude with a cross-border online hackathon on November 6, 2025, bringing together participants from Estonia and Finland.

How to apply

Applications will be evaluated by a jury of experts in digital tools, entrepreneurship, and the labor market, based on applicants’ motivation and eligibility criteria. 
If you have any questions, please contact anastasiia@pagulasabi.ee ( +372 5371 1770)

Start Smart entrepreneurship training programme is part of UPBEAT project – Upskilling Immigrants for Business Planning and Entrepreneurship using AI Technologies. Project partners are Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Startup Refugees and Estonian Refugee Council. Project is co-funded by the European Union, through the Interreg Central Baltic Programme.