Want to join the club and invest in the Estonian Unicorn Factory? Fill out our e-Consulting form, and one of our investment advisors will get in touch soon.
The Estonian entrepreneurial scene keeps getting stronger. Who’s in the spotlight this year? Mihkel Aamer and Martin Sokk, the co-founders of pan-European investment platform Lightyear, have been named EY Estonia’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2026. The award was presented at a gala ceremony in Tallinn on 12 March, marking the 18th edition of the competition.
Now active in 25 countries, Lightyear gives retail investors access to tools for building savings and working towards financial independence. It raised over €20M in 2025. “We have believed from the very beginning that the foundation of lasting success is a clear goal, honest work, and a strong team. The past years have been fast-paced, but it is precisely by working together that we have managed to grow and develop in difficult conditions. This award gives us the strength to move forward and set new goals,” the pair said in a joint statement.
The other finalists, selected by an independent jury following financial analysis and in-depth interviews, were:
- Avery Dylan Schrader — founder of Modash, an influencer analytics and marketing platform
- Madis Tiik — head of the Estonian Health Board (Terviseagentuur)
- Rolf Steffan Edström — founder of Windak, a cable and winding solutions manufacturer
- Toomas Tammer — founder of Venten, a ventilation systems company
Alongside the main title, two special awards were presented on the night.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Kaido Jõeleht, founder of Kaamos Group, today one of Estonia’s largest real estate companies. Jõeleht began his business journey building a forestry group and has since become one of the country’s most respected entrepreneurs.
The Impact Award was given to Heateo Foundation, represented by its director Pirkko Valge. One of Estonia’s leading voices in social innovation and strategic philanthropy, the foundation launches and scales initiatives to address the country’s most pressing societal challenges.
