28DIGITAL
Rue Guimard 7
1040
Brussels, Belgium
[email protected]
28 May 2026
Prof. Erik Puura
Vice-Rector for Research
Tallinn University of Technology
Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
Dear Professor Puura,
With this letter, 28DIGITAL expresses its intent and proposal to become a co-founding partner of AIRE
(AI and Robotics Estonia) as an independent non-governmental organisation, in partnership with
Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech).
As you know, 28DIGITAL and TalTech have built a strong working relationship over the last years
(TalTech joined the 28DIGITAL partnership in 2018), grounded in a shared interest in turning research
and innovation into real impact. TalTech has been a key partner in driving some of our most strategic
initiatives. These include hosting the 28DIGITAL satellite office, leading several summer schools on
topics such as e-governance, e-health and digital cities, a master programme in embedded system and
chips design, as well as a growing number of European projects. Many of these have been successfully
acquired and delivered in collaboration with AIRE.
We have seen close at hand what AIRE has achieved and its growing and strategic potential for Estonia
and Europe, including in emerging areas such as dual-use technologies and defense.
For these reasons, 28DIGITAL wishes to express its intent to partner with TalTech in the spinning out
of AIRE into an independent organisation.
In this scenario, AIRE would gain direct access to a pan-European ecosystem across EU27 with direct
access to European projects, funding instruments, talent, and industry networks. 28DIGITAL would
facilitate an accelerated research-to-market journey for AIRE as well as open the door to new markets,
within and without Europe (U.S, Asia etc.).
Subject to funding from Enterprise Estonia and/or the Ministry of Economic Affairs and
Communications, 28DIGITAL is also prepared to place a dedicated person inside the new organisation.
This role would focus on international market access and project acquisition, consortium building, and
connecting AIRE’s research partners and teams to 28DIGITAL’s networks.
We look forward to discussing the details with you at your earliest convenience.
Best regards,
Federico Menna
CEO, 28DIGITAL