Despite the COVID-19 situation, Estonia’s startup sector has been growing fast – around 30% year over year. But that’s not just a number, as behind the statistics, there are real people – founders and their teams – whose achievements have brought our local community to where we are today.
Awards in 9 categories
The awards were given out in nine categories and were chosen from nearly 300 nominees chosen by Estonia’s startup community. According to Martin Villig, the Head of the Estonian Founders Society (and co-founder of Bolt), the spring of 2020 was not easy for the Estonian startup sector but despite that, the number of startups kept growing and reached 1,000. “2020 was a record year for 450 million euros of startup investment, the growth in startup revenue and its eight exits,” Villig said. “Estonia’s startups sector has the ambitious goal of growing still ten more times in the next ten years and reaching the goal of having created 50,000 high added value jobs.”
According to the head of Startup Estonia, Eve Peeterson, to reach the next level in development, the startup sector must become more research-based. “It is good to see several tech and researche based startups shining at this year’s awards ceremony,” she added.
The Estonian Startup Awards 2020 is an initiative led by Estonian Founders Society, Startup Estonia and LIFT99 to recognize the most outstanding startups, founders, and community supporters.
The Foreign Founder of 2020
Top 3 nominees: Avery Schrader, Founder of Modash; Vishen Lakhiani, Founder of Mindvalley; Jeff McClelland, Founder of Salv
Winner: Vishen Lakhiani, Founder of Mindvalley
The Stereotype Crusher of 2020
Top 3 nominees: Kaidi Ruusalepp, Founder of Funderbeam; Vilve Vene, Founder of Modularbank, Anna-Liisa Palatu, Founder of Woola
Winner: Anna-Liisa Palatu, Founder of Woola
The Wise Wallet of 2020
Top 3 nominees: Jaan Tallinn, Ragnar Sass, Martin Villig
Winner: Ragnar Sass
The Bootstrap Badger of 2020
Top 3 nominees: Rasmus Vooglaid, founder of FIIZY; Rasmus Gross, founder of ELIIS; Vishen Lakhiani, Founder of Mindvalley
Winner: Vishen Lakhiani, founder of Mindvalley
The Big Bang of 2020
Top 3 nominees: Anna-Liisa Palatu, Founder of Woola; Hardi Meybaum, founder of Whatifi, Vilve Vene, Founder of Modularbank
Winner: Anna Liisa Palatu, founder of Woola
The Revenue Hack of 2020
Top 3 nominees: Ardo Kaurit, founder of Ampler Bikes; Markus Villig, founder of Bolt; Taavi Madiberk, founder of Skeleton Technologies
The Giving Back Powerhouse
Top 3 nominees: Computer to Every Student, HK Unicorn Squad, , Jõhvi Coding School
Winner: Jõhvi Coding School
The B2B Saas Startup of 2020 (Startup Sector of the Year)
Top 3 nominees: Martin Kõiva, founder of Klaus; Robin Saluoks, Founder of eAgronoom; Kaarel Kotkas, founder of Veriff
Winner: Kaarel Kotkas, founder of Veriff
The Founder of the Year 2020
Top 3 nominees: Markus Villig, founder of Bolt; Timo Ren, Martin Tajur, Martin Henk, Urmas Purde, Ragnar Sass – founders of Pipedrive; Taavi Madiberk, founder of Skeleton Technologies
Winners: Timo Ren, Martin Tajur, Martin Henk, Urmas Purde, Ragnar Sass – founders of Pipedrive
Wish to do business in Estonia? Send us a request for e-Consulting to get further information and your personal consultation from one of our investment advisors.
