Just recently, a competition was held to find up-and-coming startups in Estonia. A jury of Estonian and foreign investors evaluated a large number of early-stage startups — 20 of the most promising were chosen — these startups now comprise a select group known as the Top 20 Startups in Estonia. So keep your eye on these startups in 2017!
Organizers of Top 20 Startups 2016 in Estonia, EstBAN and Contriber, say the idea behind the competition was to showcase a number of the most ambitious and innovative startups in Estonia. The criteria to enter the competition was simple—be an Estonian-based company with previous funding of less than €1 million—in other words, early-stage startups. A large number of promising startups applied with hopes of getting increased visibility and help with raising money—two of the most difficult challenges facing young startups.
The jury composed of Estonian and foreign investors selected the top 20 startups, which are perhaps the next Skype or TransferWise. The selection process was powered by Startup Includer. Contriber designed Startup Includer to help connect startups and business angels during the investment process.
The top 4 startups of the top 20 — Deekit, Nordic Automation Systems, SportID, and Tebo — got a chance to pitch their business ideas at sTARTUp Day on Dec 9, 2016 — Tartu’s first-ever international business festival. It gave them invaluable public-speaking experience and exposure to a much larger audience, including the investor community.
