our story
why?
how?
For startups with global aspirations, especially those rooted in deep research and technology, we’re doing our part for a sustainable and better tomorrow.
Startup Estonia is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with an emphasis on:
- Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Partnerships for the Goals
- Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Sustainable Cities and Communities
Curious for more? Check out our Resources page.
what?
- Creating and maintaining a high-quality startup environment
- Lobbying startup-friendly regulations
- Keeping track of and sharing startup sector data and insights
- Ensuring communication platforms within the startup community
- Having a steady marketing, PR, and communication flow of the startup agenda
- Organizing community events and study trips for support organizations
- Piloting crucial startup services
- Co-hosting flagship startup events
- Development of the DeepTech ecosystem with a respective action plan
- Ensuring a diverse talent pool by attracting global talent and founders
- Advancing regional entrepreneurship through boots-on-the-ground community building
we are
Connectors
Connective glue between the ministries, startup founders, investors, and supportive organizations.
Innovators
Visionaries who recognize the value of disruptive technologies.
Producers
Strategic chameleons, skilled in gathering data and making tools for all parties connected to the startup ecosystem.
Experts
Devoted and adept professionals who design how the startup ecosystem operates in Estonia.
our history
2022
Since 2022 Startup Estonia programme has been run by the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency (the merged Enterprise Estonia and KredEx Foundation). Startup Estonia has secured a new operational period with a 10m EUR budget from the European Regional Development Fund until 2029.
2022
Since 2018, deep technologies' role in the economy has been analyzed in a more focused way. Various reports point out that deep technologies are the main engine for future economic growth and the source of impactful solutions for the whole of humanity. Starting 2022, Startup Estonia has focused heavily on providing activities and programs to Estonian DeepTech startups to create a diverse, resilient, and vibrant DeepTech community.
2020
Publication of the 2021-2027 White Paper, highlighting the potential future development and a collective vision for our startup ecosystem. The White Paper can be found on our Resources page.
2020
Launch of the Estonian Startup Database, marking of the beginning of systematic data collection of the demographic and economic features of the Estonian startup sector.
2019
The beginning of the dedicated local Ida-Virumaa programme to foster startup entrepreneurship in the region.
2019
In 2019, Startup Estonia embarked on its EdTech path. It was important to offer opportunities to engage in innovation already in the general education phase in order to promote the mindset of start-up entrepreneurship, which is why the focus of educational technology was initiated. The main objective was to create a programme that would support the emergence of new EdTech companies and thereby create better access to education for every learner. Starting 2022, the lead for developing the EdTech ecosystem was taken over by NGO EdTech Estonia.
2019
In 2019, Startup Estonia helped jumpstart Accelerate Estonia, a government innovation lab for turning complex problems into new economic competitive edges. After a 6-month exploration and kick-off phase, during which the first batch of teams was admitted to the Accelerate Estonia programme, the project became independent of Startup Estonia, but has remained a close collaboration partner since.
2017
Startup Estonia took on the CyberTech focus area with a goal to strengthen the local CyberTech startup ecosystem, grow the number of new CyberTech startups and support the development of existing startups in the sector.
CyberTech startups develop technologies, processes, and practices that are designed to protect networks, computers, programs, and data from attack, damage, or unauthorized access, including application security, information security, network security, disaster recovery/ business continuity planning, operational security, and end-user education.
2017
Launched in 2017, the startup visa programme aimed to bolster the local ecosystem by attracting international talent. Today, nearly 6,000 individuals have utilized the startup visa, enriching our ecosystem with diverse knowledge through both startup and scale-up visas.
2016
Startup Estonia initiative was launched at full throttle under Foundation KredEx (merged in 2022 with Enterprise Estonia).
2014
During 2014-2016 Startup Estonia had a 2-year pilot programme cooperation with the Estonian Ministry of Environment for CleanTech focus. Since 2017, CleanTech focused initiatives were taken over by Cleantech Estonia, an Estonian non-profit supporting and funding early stage green technology startups, advancing environmental education and energy experts.
2011
First activities under the Estonian Development Fund to foster startup entrepreneurship. The goal was set to have 1000 active startups by 2020.
2005
The 2005 exit of Skype to eBay for $2.6 billion was a transformative event for Estonia's startup ecosystem. As the first major global tech success to emerge from the small Baltic nation, Skype's exit was a powerful testament to the capabilities of Estonian engineers and entrepreneurs. The exit generated significant capital and expertise that was reinvested into the local startup scene, leading to the creation of numerous new ventures, incubators, and investment funds. Moreover, the success story of Skype placed Estonia firmly on the global tech radar, drawing increased attention, talent, and investments to the region. This moment served as a catalyst for the burgeoning tech scene in Estonia, and its legacy can still be felt today in the country's vibrant and growing startup culture.
