The challenge
Tallinn's circular business support has long focused on companies. Within Creative Circular Cities, the incubator set out to extend that support to the cultural and creative sectors and industries: designers, visual artists, entrepreneurs, start-ups and students who want to work more circularly and reach international markets.
These professionals needed practical, hands-on skills: how to design durable and repairable products, how to apply circular thinking to services and digital platforms, how to communicate sustainability credibly, and how to position their practice internationally.
The format
In spring 2026, the incubator ran an international, mostly English-language training series of four tracks.
"How to Design a Sustainable Product?" (four parts) covered circular product design across the lifecycle, from durable, repairable design to environmental impact and business decisions. "How to Design a Sustainable Service?" (two parts) applied the same principles to services, digital platforms and processes. "How to Tell Stories That Build Trust and Action?" (three parts) focused on credible sustainability communication and avoiding greenwashing. These three tracks were led by internationally awarded designer and strategist Maximilian Mauracher.
A fourth track, "How to Present and Stand Out as an International Visual Artist?", helped visual artists position their practice and build international collaborations, including a case-study conversation with New York gallerist Margot Samel. A further series, "Getting Ready for International Markets", extended the programme.
The offering
Across February to April 2026, the series delivered thirteen sessions in four tracks, open to cultural and creative professionals, entrepreneurs, designers, visual artists and students.
The trainings combined strategic thinking with hands-on tools, taking participants from circular product and service design through to credible storytelling and international positioning. The English-language format opened the programme to an international audience.
What other cities can reuse
The series shows how an incubator can extend established business support toward the cultural and creative sectors. A modular set of tracks lets participants pick the skills they need, from product design to communication, while a shared focus on circularity and internationalisation ties the programme together.
Bringing in an internationally recognised trainer and real case studies from the field gives the format credibility and reach.
Visit the Tallinn Business Incubator
The incubator supports cultural and creative professionals to grow and reach international markets.
