Located in the Baltic region, way up there in Northern Europe, not far from those familiar tech-savvy neighbours, Sweden, Finland and Latvia. Humans have been there since 9,000 BC, but now they have evolved to become 1.3 million people who have successfully claimed the unicorn-per-capita world championship, or you could say, the country that went from Soviet dial-up to digital utopia in one generation. It’s cold up there, so you have to light a fire under those tech geniuses and keep them developing great ideas to stay warm, and they do that exceptionally well.
The capital city of Tallinn is a major hub for companies of all shapes and sizes, as they place the country in the top 3-4 worldwide for more unicorns per capita, anywhere else in Europe. And it all started back in 1991, when they broke free and decided to leapfrog the entire world digitally. They developed revolutionary technologies such as online voting, digital signatures, e-residency, and made 99% of public services available online. Some of the biggest brand names in the history of tech that changed the way we communicate and move money, such as Skype, Bolt, Wise, Zego and even one of the earliest casino software companies called Playtech, came from here.
It’s not always business and non-stop work in Estonia; it’s also known as the place that offers the ultimate “Talent and Lifestyle” punch, with the best nature you’ll find in Europe, right at your doorstep. Listen to these podcast interviews and find out how the forests, saunas, and islands make it easy to create a work-life balance. This naturally makes it easy for founders to spark ambition, with tight bonds, mentorship flowing freely, and great ideas brewing right there in the sauna—where creativity and collaboration rise with the steam.
Now factor in the easy networking, quick intros to investors/gov folks, tight-knit vibe where everyone knows (or knows of) everyone. It’s the “Just build it” ethos, mixed with the pragmatic, no-nonsense, global-from-day-one vision. You get an anything is possible attitude, where Estonians value working smart, clear goals, and efficiency. Community supports bold moves, and they practice being resilient through a crisis. You can learn how to do that, too, by listening to these fine entrepreneurs.
Get ready to open your ears and minds when you listen to these inspiring podcast interviews from Estonia and learn more about what makes it such a great place. Time to improve your knowledge of what it’s like to do business in this small but powerful country, grow your network, and make life-changing connections.
