From Connecting People to Building Innovation Ecosystems

Tsubasa Yoshito, an alumnus of Entrepreneurship in Economic Policymaking, Baltic Resident Agent for Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) / Estonia / Public

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I work with government-related agencies in both Estonia and Japan—organising business missions, forums, and networking events. I noticed a recurring challenge: simply connecting people or introducing new technological solutions was rarely enough to drive genuine adoption or structural innovation. I realised that to effectively advise companies and municipalities, I needed a deeper, more structured understanding of economic policymaking and innovation ecosystems.

The Entrepreneurship in Economic Policymaking master's programme at the University of Tartu was the ideal choice to bridge this gap. Having already been familiar with CDL-Estonia through my work, I actually had the chance to observe a CDL-Estonia session firsthand. I was deeply impressed by the calibre of the mentors and participants, and by the real-world impact. Learning that Professor Kadri Ukrainski, the programme lead, also serves as the Site Lead for CDL-Estonia, confirmed that this degree offered the perfect blend of academic depth and hands-on practice. It gave me exactly the toolkit I needed to foster stronger innovation and economic collaboration between Japan and the Baltic region.

The study experience

My study experience was exceptionally rewarding and practical. One highlight was the frequent guest lectures by real-world practitioners. They gave us deep insights into how theories play out on the ground and what is truly demanded in professional settings.

Naturally, the journey was not without its challenges. Tackling subjects outside my comfort zone and mastering entirely new concepts required intense effort. However, pushing through until I truly understood the material allowed me to fill the gaps in my expertise and acquire valuable analytical tools. On top of that, studying alongside classmates from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds was inspiring—their fresh perspectives and active discussions enriched every class. I finished the programme feeling immensely fulfilled.

What I enjoyed most was the small class size, which created an interactive and inclusive environment. It gave me ample opportunities to voice my own opinions and actively test whether my understanding and ideas were on the right track. Combined with inspiring guest lectures from real-world practitioners, this intimate setting enabled deep, meaningful exchanges that truly maximised my learning experience.

In the class, there were many Estonian students as well as international students studying through the Erasmus programme. Therefore, class discussions were not limited to cases in Estonia but extended to diverse policy and business contexts across Europe and beyond.

The programme provided me with both the analytical mindset and the practical toolkit needed to advance my career. Before joining, my challenge was translating public sector initiatives into actionable, structured solutions for businesses and decision-makers. The curriculum filled this gap by teaching me how innovation ecosystems operate from a policymaking perspective.

Today, the strategic insights and confidence I gained at Tartu allow me to bridge the public and private sectors much more effectively. Whether consulting municipalities or facilitating cross-border collaborations between Japan and the Baltic region, I can now design and propose policy solutions with systemic depth. It truly empowered me to drive meaningful economic growth and innovation.

I would highly recommend this programme to professionals working in—or interested in—government agencies and public institutions focused on innovation and economic development. It is also an excellent fit for practitioners and students who are passionate about entrepreneurship and building vibrant business ecosystems.
While the programme is open to driven individuals at various stages, having some prior professional experience is particularly beneficial. Coming into the course with real-world challenges allows you to connect the policy theories directly to your own experiences, making the learning process far more impactful and practical.