Every city or region of any size in the world would like to attract technology companies to locate there. The boom times for digitally-driven technologies seem to know no end, and diversifying into tech looks like a sound long-term strategy. But executing the strategy? Not so easy.

One of the world’s better examples comes from the city of Tallinn, capital of Estonia, a country whose journey from post-Soviet devastation to tech leadership and EU membership still astounds. A program called Test in Tallinn, led by innovation expert Mark-Emile Talivere, does what so many communities try to do, and does it very well.

Are you ready to be a testbed?

At ICF, we have worked with many cities and counties that offer themselves as test beds for technology. One may offer its gigabit fiber network as the ideal place for innovators to develop ultrabroadband products and services. Another may invest in a wireless infrastructure and processing center for IoT in hopes of attracting companies in that space. Still another will market its test track and high-capacity wireless network for testing connected and autonomous vehicles.

What distinguishes Tallinn is the diversity of tech it attracts, the clever structure of its program and its international reach. For example:

HexTech Solutions (Estonia) has created a drone detection sensor network to enhance urban airspace security. In Tallinn, tested spoofing protection technology and recording drone air traffic, with plans to integrate the system into the city's infrastructure.’’

Cesva (Spain) has trialed its urbannoise sensors, already proven in Barcelona, in Tallinn’s unique geography and northern climate. Its technology installs in urban infrastructure and provides very precise measurement an integration into IoT platforms.

Sensori Systems (New Zealand) has brought its software-as-a-service platform to Tallinn, which uses ordinary video cameras to create precise documentation of buildings and construction sites through 3D imaging fused with data.

Learn more about Test in Tallinn

The Test in Tallinn site goes into much useful detail about how the program works. For a quick understanding, check out their video: