OREANDA-NEWS. January 28, 2011. Enterprise Estonia has joined the European Union's new grant program for companies looking for financial aid for developing technology or products. The international round of Lead ERA opened this week will provide an estimated 11 million euros in funding.

Enterprise Estonia Innovation Division director Ilmar Pralla says Lead ERA was established to implement the European Union's demand-based innovation policy.

"Based on studies and analyses, the European Union is looking for new, innovative products and services from precisely these six areas," he said - e-health, intelligent textiles, sustainable construction, recovery of waste, bioproducts and renewable energy." As Estonian companies have thus far been quite successful in applying for innovative assistance from international cooperation networks, it is completely realistic that they will obtain support funds from Lead ERA as well.”