Kati Kongi: Underground space could become Estonia’s next innovation opportunity
Estonia has long planned how to use land and sea, but beneath the surface lies another layer of space with largely untapped potential for innovation and new business.
According to Kati Kongi, Head of the Research, Development and Innovation Department at Enterprise Estonia, Estonia already has a strong foundation for exploring this potential. Former mines, existing underground infrastructure and new developments such as Zero Terrain in Paldiski create opportunities ranging from energy storage and data centres to circular economy solutions and resilient critical infrastructure.
However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Every location comes with its own geological conditions, technical constraints and economic potential. Turning underground space into viable projects therefore requires expertise from different fields to come together.
This multidisciplinary approach is at the heart of the international Underground Innovation Hackathon. Teams from different fields work together on real underground infrastructure opportunities in Estonia, exploring challenges related to dual-use technologies, resilience and the circular economy. With support from technical, business and industry experts, participants can develop and validate their ideas, while the strongest teams have opportunities to move towards partnerships, pilots, funding and market entry in Estonia.
For Kati Kongi, bringing together people with different skills is key. Teams do not need to arrive with a fully developed solution. An initial idea or direction is enough to apply, as long as it addresses at least one of the hackathon challenges.
The market for underground solutions is still taking shape. This gives participating teams an opportunity not only to develop their own ideas, but also to help shape how underground space could be used in the future.
The hackathon is looking for up to 12 multidisciplinary teams from across Europe.
Apply for the Underground Innovation Hackathonby 23 November 2026.