Latitude59

🎤 The L59 Pitch Competition will be back in #Kenya in 2024 – do you have what it takes to make it to the finals and pitch in front 2000 people from the international tech and startup scene? Take a shot at the prize pool and maybe even be flown over to Estonia in 2025 for a chance to compete for a syndicate of up to €1,000,000! #Latitude59xKenya 📣 Apply by November 1, 2024 to find out! We're seeking for startups with a B2B business model and initial traction, with the core team being based in Africa and ready to raise a round! This is a chance make new global connections, receive mentorship that will lift your game, and demonstrate your product in front international investors and potential partners! 📌 More info and applications: latitude59.ee/kenya PS. We're so proud of the Chumz.io team for winning the competition last year and being the inspiration for sprouting startups all around! 🎉 #globalvillage #bebold #buildtheworldyouwant #Latitude59

🚀 Latitude59 is on a mission to connect ecosystems and build a #globalvillage for startups to succeed in. We're soooo excited to announce our next stop - Singapore! #Latitude59xSingapore On October 29, we're bringing the Estonia’s startup mindset, unconventionality and love for bold thinkers to the buzzing city state of Singapore. 🌏 The "Latitude59 Global Mixer: 🇪🇪Estonian Tech Meets 🇸🇬Singapore" is an official side event of the SWITCH conference that unites both ecosystem and inspires to find new business connections, with a little #latitudeattitude twist! The event is organized in collaboration with Estonian Embassy in Singapore, EIS, Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) and Latitude59. Find the waiting list on the link below if you wish to join the bold people in Singapore! #Latitude59 #bebold #buildtheworldyouwant Liisi Org *** This event is partly funded by European Union – Next Generation EU.

🎉 Good news just keep on popping! 👏 Mifundo - a finalist at L59 Pitch Competition 2023 - just raised TEN million euros! 💸 Huge congrats, guys & good luck with your expansion! 🌏 The funding will be used to create a platform for portable credit profiles across the European Union. It's made up of a previously undisclosed €1.2 million pre-seed round from local investors, €2.5 million in grant funding, and €6.3 million in matched funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program, backed by the European Investment Bank (EIB). The round was led by Tera Ventures with participation of existing investor Opus11 VC and prominent angel investors including Mihkel Karu (ex-Skype) and Sergei Anikin (ex-Pipedrive). 🚀 Founded by former Bigbank Group CEO Kaido Saar, Mifundo has developed the first cross-border platform for portable credit profiles. Its mission is to create a more unified credit market across the EU, reducing financial inequality and offering better financial services to European citizens. Head to the news, by EU-Startups : https://lnkd.in/dSi8MmtJ

3 years from the moment I started as the CEO of Latitude59. Back then, I wrote in my notebook that I wanted to bring Latitude59 to the next level. I was alone without any team members and it was hard to imagine how I would do this. Looking back I never could have imagined that this kind of growth is possible… so fast. To bring this NGO and this conference from minuses and non-existent team to the moment where we have a clear vision to boldly build a better world and connect the global ecosystems. Where each year we have broken our records and exceeded our expectations. I’d say 3 years have been like a startup accelerator on steroids for me and my team of almost 17 people at Latitude59. Yes, we had a well-known brand when we started, because it was the 10th anniversary of Latitude59 when we first organized it in 2022. And yes we had the Estonian startup community and partners and the government behind us, and they still are. For that, I am forever grateful. But today, after doing it for 3 years, I feel so proud of where we have taken this, especially from where we started. Usually, I’ve had those 3-year periods in my life where I do something really cool for 3 years, build things successfully up, and then I need more challenges and a change. I will be honest with you that when my 3-year mark started arriving in Latitude59, I was a bit anxious. But for the first time in my life, I can say that probably those 3 years were just the start of what’s yet to come with Latitude... We’ll be building the global village one country at a time. The second year in a row we’re organizing the Latitude59 Kenya edition and this time it’s 3 times bigger than last year. We have plans in Singapore, India, and Canada and yes there are more countries on the list. We can't wait for the 13th Latitude59 Tallinn on May 21-23 where we will bring all the global and local ecosystems together. There are already people signing up to be part of that amazingness and we know we’ll deliver. So what’s my point with that post? To just remember and leave it to the timeline of my professional career that in September 2024 it’s 3 years from the moment that changed my life to a direction I didn’t know I needed. And to take credit. To be proud of myself and my team. And to thank all my beautiful crazy inhuman passionate partners in crime, my core-core team Kai, Triin, Kadri, Dolores, Britt-Lauren, and Kaspar, and all my other brilliant current and previous team members Lisbeth, Liis, Marina, Mirjam, Kateriine, Kätlin-Carolin, Brait, Enriko, Jana, Domenik, Kaari, Marie Rosalie, Mariliis, Sebastien. You’ve all been the heart and soul of this 🤍 Special thanks to Brait who was my first team member ("no idea what's gonna happen, but please join"), and to Martin, who thought I could really do this. It always seems impossible until it's done, and we’re just getting started 😍 Stay tuned for more. And thanks universe for this crazy beautiful journey I get to be on with my people ❤️

🎉 Congrats to ÄIO - one of the winning startups of the L59 Pitch Competition 2023 - for raising €6,000,000 for the construction of their new factory building, predicted to be ready in 2026. Voima Ventures, 2C Ventures, SmartCap and Nordic Foodtech VC participated in this round of financing. Only last year, the biotechnology start-up company received a million euros from venture capital funds. In addition to attracting investments, Äio received a 1.8 million euro grant from the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Foundation last year. 👨🔬 According to Petri-Jaan Lahtvee , co-founder of Äio, oils made from residues help to significantly reduce the environmental damage of agriculture and animal husbandry. "Äio oils produced from industrial residues help reduce land use by up to 97% and water consumption by up to ten times compared to the current production of palm oil and animal fat. In addition, the rate of production of oils and fats through fermentation is ten times faster," he said. Äio Tech OÜ was founded in 2022 by TalTech bioengineers Petri-Jaan Lahtvee and Nemailla Bonturi, both of whom have a doctorate in chemical technology. The company's team includes 16 people who are of Estonian, Brazilian, Polish, Armenian and Italian origin. 🚀 When it comes to startups, the sky is the limit (but even that wouldn't stop Nemailla and Petri-Jaan, we are certain)! That's what makes our sector so special. You are such an inspiration and we're hoping to hear even bigger news in the future, Äio crew! 👏

🎤 Do you have what it takes to grab the mic? We're seeking the boldest early-stage #startups from #Kenya and across Africa to compete for a prize pool of non-equity funding, perks from our global partners, and a chance to pitch in front of 2000 people at Latitude59 Kenya Edition 2024 this November. #Latitude59xKenya Most importantly, one startup will receive an expenses-paid invitation to participate at the semi-finals of #Latitude59 2025 in Tallinn, Estonia. For two years in a row, the prize pool for the Latitude59 Pitch Competition in Estonia has been one million euros! 🌍 Africa has got some serious tech talent. And we can't wait to see their next generation of startups on the stage this November! #globalvillage ⏰ Application link is open until November 1 on our homepage!

💥📢 Latitude59 Kenya Edition 2024 will connect bold change-makers from Africa and beyond - founders, investors, community activists, journalists and global startup scene players who know that THIS continent is growing into a major global tech force! With just little over two months to go, we’re excited to share a glimpse into the program and announce the first speakers of #Latitude59xKenya! 🌿 Aune Aunapuu is a startup founder on a mission to revolutionize the fashion industry towards sustainability and combat overconsumption, now leading Yaga's expansion across Africa! 💰 Mikko Silventola is a bold investor from Finland who has been active all around the world and just spent 10 years in Asia and the Middle East operating in private equity sector. He has invested in over 100 startups, including Bolt when it just got started! 🚗 Celeste Tchetgen Vogel is focused on providing better, safer, and more equitable transport options for all Africans. As the Founder of eWAKA Mobility Limited , she is a mission to revolutionize mobility on the African continent. #sustainability ✍ Adrian Ephraim from Tech Safari is an expert of telling impactful stories. He has worked for over 25 years in media and publishing and has led editorial teams across Africa. His passion lies at the intersection of tech and human interest. ..and this is just the start! Our team is conducting briefing interviews, matchmaking and reaching out to new connections daily to tailor-make a program that's truly impactful! Want to be a part of it? Join us this November in Kenya to discuss the future of tech at one of Africa’s most recognised startup capitals - Nairobi! 🌍 More info and tickets at: latitude59.ee/kenya

🇪🇪 Latitude59 in collaboration with the World Summit Awards (WSA) is on the hunt for #Estonian startups to showcase the best of local impact and innovation among the United Nations! It's #Latitude59's first year standing for these awards, but WSA has got a long history and Estonians have been rocking the stage - Kõu Mobility Group, Wise, Testlio, Clanbeat & Triumf Health (to name a few) have received the global recognition. 🏆  Will it be your turn next year? 🏆 ABOUT WSA The World Summit Awards (WSA) is an annual global contest that showcases locally impactful digital products and solutions from over 182 countries. The WSA is initiated in the framework of the United Nations and follows the guidelines of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. WHO CAN APPLY Any Estonian startup or company that feels their product or service has digital applications with a strong #impact on society in one of the 8 WSA categories. In addition, there is a special category for young impact-makers who are under 26. WHAT HAPPENS IN THE NEXT ROUND From the Estonian nominees, one solution per country per category will be sent to the Jury stage. The Jury will select the finalists who will be asked to participate at the WSA Global Congress in Hyderabad, India for the finals in spring 2025. 🌏 Being a finalist unlocks a network of startups, governmental contacts and policy makers from over 182 countries - if you're ready to scale, maybe this is your path? The Estonian nomination round is open until October 15, 2024! Apply now! #wsa2024 #worldsummitawards #estonia #startups #globalvillage

It's time for a WSA post. And we are looking for startups to apply until the 15th of October. World Summit Awards is an international award that recognizes digital solutions that positively impact local communities and is aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. I have been with WSA since 2019 as the National Expert of Estonia and a grand jury member and it's been an eye-opening experience. Since Latitude59 is dedicated to representing Estonia 🇪🇪 on the international level, acting as the best global relationship builder for startups, and fostering international cooperation, then this year we're collaborating with WSA to find our best nominees for the next round! The WSA is an award system that focuses on sustainable knowledge transfer through a global network. Winning startups benefit from lifelong partnerships with leaders from around the world and gain access to an international community of like-minded entrepreneurs. Previous winners from Estonia include Kõu Mobility Group, Wise, Testlio, and Pocopay to name a few. Each year, 40 national winners from across the globe compete in 8 categories at the WSA Global Congress, offering a unique platform for startups to showcase their impact and innovation on a global stage. It's quite a feat for a startup - to stand out from all the participating United Nations member states and the impactful solution they have all nominated for the competition. 🏆 Let's showcase Estonia’s digital impact to the world - if you think your startup or digital solutions will stand out in one of the 8 high-impact categories, head here and fill in the form: https://lnkd.in/dVffTrjX The link is open for Estonian nominations until October 15, 2024! #wsa2024 #worldsummitawards #estonia #startups Greetings to all my fellow national experts and jury members all around the world, and WSA team Nora Wolloch Prof. Dr. Peter A. Bruck Caro Rossi Madelynn Martiniere Connor Sattely Mathias Haas, Rodrigo Assumpção, Ambika Khurana, Dorothy Gordon, Osama Manzar, Sarayu Natarajan, Shinta Witoyo Dhanuwardoyo, Ali Hilli 'MBA, Kareem Hassan, Batoul Husseini, Renuka Sena, Rudy Laddaga, Zouheir LAKHDISSI (زهير الخديسي), Dr Mahsa McCauley (Mohaghegh), Yemi Keri, Ryan Gersava, Sandra Fazenda de Almeida, Isabel Holguera Vera, Gloria Mangi, Peace Oliver Amuge, Ralph Simon FRSA Sachi Wickramage and others 💛

🛴 🛵 Last year, Kõu Mobility Group stood out at the World Summit Awards, receiving the international recongition for high impact at Smart Settlements & Urbanization category. It's quite a feat for a startup - to stand out from all the participating United Nation member states and the impactful solution they have all nominated for the competition. 🇪🇪 This year, #Latitud59 is in an official collaboration with the World Summit Awards to find our best nominees for the next round! 🏆 Let's showcase Estonia’s digital impact to the world - if you think your startup or digital solutions will stand out in one of the 8 high-impact categories, head here and fill in the form: https://lnkd.in/dB7iFrzH The link is open for Estonian nominations until October 15, 2024! #wsa2024 #worldsummitawards #estonia #startups