Since 2019, the Estonian Startup Awards has been here to count the brightest stars on our local startup horizon, celebrate the achievements of the local community, and inspire the next generation of founders to take over the world.
This year’s public nominations open in November, after which every nominee is thoroughly reviewed to build the shortlist. In January, the shortlist goes to a closed vote by a jury of 200+ Estonian startup founders, in collaboration with the Estonian Founders Society and Startup Estonia. The winners will be crowned at the Awards Gala on February 11, 2027.
Since 2019, the Estonian Startup Awards has been here to count the brightest stars on our local startup horizon, celebrate the achievements of the local community, and inspire the next generation of founders to take over the world.
This year’s public nominations open in November, after which every nominee is thoroughly reviewed to build the shortlist. In January, the shortlist goes to a closed vote by a jury of 200+ Estonian startup founders, in collaboration with the Estonian Founders Society and Startup Estonia. The winners will be crowned at the Awards Gala on February 11, 2027.
Since 2019, the Estonian Startup Awards has been here to count the brightest stars on our local startup horizon, celebrate the achievements of the local community, and inspire the next generation of founders to take over the world.
This year’s public nominations open in November, after which every nominee is thoroughly reviewed to build the shortlist. In January, the shortlist goes to a closed vote by a jury of 200+ Estonian startup founders, in collaboration with the Estonian Founders Society and Startup Estonia. The winners will be crowned at the Awards Gala on February 11, 2027.
"Given the results are based purely on a survey of founder peers in the community, these awards are always really meaningful recognition."
– Sten Tamkivi, former President of Estonian Founders Society
– Sten Tamkivi, former President of Estonian Founders Society
"It happens every year that I can’t wait for the list of nominees - it allows me to get to know companies that I haven’t heard of before."
– Kaidi Puusepp, President of the Estonian Founders Society 2022-2023
– Kaidi Puusepp, President of the Estonian Founders Society 2022-2023
Past awards
Past awards
Newcomer of the Year - Gridraven
HealthTech of the Year - Muun Health
Founder of the Year - Kaarel Kotkas (Veriff)
FinTech of the Year - Veriff
The Investor of the Year - Sten Tamkivi (Plural)
Revenue Hack - Veriff
DefenceTech of the Year - KrattWorks
DeepTech of the Year- Skeleton
Giving Back Powerhouse - Defence Tech Meetup
The SaaS Startup - Pactum
The Impact Visionary - ALPA Kids
2025 Winners
Newcomer of the Year - VOOL
Revenue Hack - Klaus
Investor of the Year - Helery Pops
Giving Back Powerhouse - Triin Kask & Female Founders Meetups
GreenTech of the Year - Grünfin
HealthTech of the Year - CARÁ Health
DeepTech of the Year - Pactum
Founder of the Year - Martin Kõiva & Kair Käsper (Klaus)
2023 Winners
Newcomer of the Year - Koos
CleanTech of the Year - Comodule
Foreign Founder of the Year - Avery Schrader (Modash.io)
EdTech of the Year - 99Math
Wise Wallet / The Investor of the Year - Triin Hertmann
Revenue Hack - Comodule
DefenceTech of the Year - Milrem
DeepTech of the Year- Pactum
Giving Back Powerhouse - NAFO
Founder of the Year - Timmu Tõke (ReadyPlayerMe)
2022 Winners
Newcomer of the Year - Gridraven
HealthTech of the Year - Muun Health
Founder of the Year - Kaarel Kotkas (Veriff)
FinTech of the Year - Veriff
The Investor of the Year - Sten Tamkivi (Plural)
Revenue Hack - Veriff
DefenceTech of the Year - KrattWorks
DeepTech of the Year- Skeleton
Giving Back Powerhouse - Defence Tech Meetup
The SaaS Startup - Pactum
The Impact Visionary - ALPA Kids
2025 Winners
Newcomer of the Year - VOOL
Revenue Hack - Klaus
Investor of the Year - Helery Pops
Giving Back Powerhouse - Triin Kask & Female Founders Meetups
GreenTech of the Year - Grünfin
HealthTech of the Year - CARÁ Health
DeepTech of the Year - Pactum
Founder of the Year - Martin Kõiva & Kair Käsper (Klaus)
2023 Winners
Newcomer of the Year - Koos
CleanTech of the Year - Comodule
Foreign Founder of the Year - Avery Schrader (Modash.io)
EdTech of the Year - 99Math
Wise Wallet / The Investor of the Year - Triin Hertmann
Revenue Hack - Comodule
DefenceTech of the Year - Milrem
DeepTech of the Year- Pactum
Giving Back Powerhouse - NAFO
Founder of the Year - Timmu Tõke (ReadyPlayerMe)
2022 Winners
Newcomer of the Year - Gridraven
HealthTech of the Year - Muun Health
Founder of the Year - Kaarel Kotkas (Veriff)
FinTech of the Year - Veriff
The Investor of the Year - Sten Tamkivi (Plural)
Revenue Hack - Veriff
DefenceTech of the Year - KrattWorks
DeepTech of the Year- Skeleton
Giving Back Powerhouse - Defence Tech Meetup
The SaaS Startup - Pactum
The Impact Visionary - ALPA Kids
2025 Winners
Newcomer of the Year - VOOL
Revenue Hack - Klaus
Investor of the Year - Helery Pops
Giving Back Powerhouse - Triin Kask & Female Founders Meetups
GreenTech of the Year - Grünfin
HealthTech of the Year - CARÁ Health
DeepTech of the Year - Pactum
Founder of the Year - Martin Kõiva & Kair Käsper (Klaus)
2023 Winners
Newcomer of the Year - Koos
CleanTech of the Year - Comodule
Foreign Founder of the Year - Avery Schrader (Modash.io)
EdTech of the Year - 99Math
Wise Wallet / The Investor of the Year - Triin Hertmann
Revenue Hack - Comodule
DefenceTech of the Year - Milrem
DeepTech of the Year- Pactum
Giving Back Powerhouse - NAFO
Founder of the Year - Timmu Tõke (ReadyPlayerMe)
2022 Winners
Newcomer of the Year - Gridraven
HealthTech of the Year - Muun Health
Founder of the Year - Kaarel Kotkas (Veriff)
FinTech of the Year - Veriff
The Investor of the Year - Sten Tamkivi (Plural)
Revenue Hack - Veriff
DefenceTech of the Year - KrattWorks
DeepTech of the Year- Skeleton
Giving Back Powerhouse - Defence Tech Meetup
The SaaS Startup - Pactum
The Impact Visionary - ALPA Kids
2025 Winners
Newcomer of the Year - VOOL
Revenue Hack - Klaus
Investor of the Year - Helery Pops
Giving Back Powerhouse - Triin Kask & Female Founders Meetups
GreenTech of the Year - Grünfin
HealthTech of the Year - CARÁ Health
DeepTech of the Year - Pactum
Founder of the Year - Martin Kõiva & Kair Käsper (Klaus)
2023 Winners
Newcomer of the Year - Koos
CleanTech of the Year - Comodule
Foreign Founder of the Year - Avery Schrader (Modash.io)
EdTech of the Year - 99Math
Wise Wallet / The Investor of the Year - Triin Hertmann
Revenue Hack - Comodule
DefenceTech of the Year - Milrem
DeepTech of the Year- Pactum
Giving Back Powerhouse - NAFO
Founder of the Year - Timmu Tõke (ReadyPlayerMe)
2022 Winners
Newcomer of the Year - Frankenburg Technologies
Revenue Hack of the Year - DefSecIntel Solutions
Investor of the Year - Taavet Hinrikus
Giving Back Powerhouse of the Year - Taavi Kotka
GreenTech of the Year - Yaga
SaaS of the Year - Katana
DeepTech of the Year - GScan
FinTech of the Year - Lightyear
Hardware of the Year - DefSecIntel Solutions
DefenceTech of the Year - Frankenburg Technologies
Founder of the Year - Martin Sokk & Mihkel Aamer (Lightyear)
2024 Winners
Newcomer of the Year - VOOL
Revenue Hack - Klaus
Investor of the Year - Helery Pops
Giving Back Powerhouse - Triin Kask & Female Founders Meetups
GreenTech of the Year - Grünfin
HealthTech of the Year - CARÁ Health
DeepTech of the Year - Pactum
Founder of the Year - Martin Kõiva & Kair Käsper (Klaus)
2023 Winners
Newcomer of the Year - Gridraven
HealthTech of the Year - Muun Health
Founder of the Year - Kaarel Kotkas (Veriff)
FinTech of the Year - Veriff
The Investor of the Year - Sten Tamkivi (Plural)
Revenue Hack - Veriff
DefenceTech of the Year - KrattWorks
DeepTech of the Year- Skeleton
Giving Back Powerhouse - Defence Tech Meetup
The SaaS Startup - Pactum
The Impact Visionary - ALPA Kids
2025 Winners
About Startup Awards
About Startup Awards
Discover Estonia's Startup Superstars
The Estonian Startup Awards, launched in 2019 with LIFT99, Estonian Founders Society, and Startup Estonia, celebrates the year’s top startups, unites our community, and inspires future founders.
A Global Startup Powerhouse
Estonia’s startup scene is booming:
1,500 startups employ around 18,700 people.
World leader in startups, unicorns, and funds raised per capita.
€5.3B in turnover in 2025.
How We Find the Best
Each November, we launch public nominations to uncover rising stars. A rigorous shortlist is crafted based on growth metrics, followed by voting from 200+ Estonian founders. The invite-only Awards Gala in February, broadcast live on social media, crowns the winners.
The Estonian Startup Awards, launched in 2019 with LIFT99, Estonian Founders Society, and Startup Estonia, celebrates the year’s top startups, unites our community, and inspires future founders.
A Global Startup Powerhouse
Estonia’s startup scene is booming:
1,500 active startups employ over 14,000 people.
World leader in startups, unicorns, and funds raised per capita.
€2.7B in turnover in 2024, up 10% from 2023.
How We Find the Best
Each November, we launch public nominations to uncover rising stars. A rigorous shortlist is crafted based on growth metrics, followed by voting from 200+ Estonian founders. The invite-only Awards Gala in February, broadcast live on social media, crowns the winners.
Let's partner up!
Shape the future of Estonia’s startup ecosystem by partnering with the Estonian Startup Awards. Your industry expertise can make an impact—whether guiding nominations, announcing winners at the February gala, or contributing insights to our trend reports.
Why Partner with Us?
Showcase Your Expertise: Be featured in social media, press, and our industry reports, reaching 10,000+ startup enthusiasts. Network with Leaders: Connect with founders, investors, and innovators at the exclusive gala (two VIP invitations included). Inspire the Next Generation: Empower entrepreneurs to dream big and build the next unicorn.
Limited Spots Available!
Email awards@lift99.co to explore partnership opportunities. Join us at the Estonian Startup Awards Gala on February 11 to celebrate innovation and unite our thriving startup community!
Shape the future of Estonia’s startup ecosystem by partnering with the Estonian Startup Awards. Your industry expertise can make an impact—whether guiding nominations, announcing winners at the February gala, or contributing insights to our trend reports.
Why Partner with Us?
Showcase Your Expertise: Be featured in social media, press, and our industry reports, reaching 10,000+ startup enthusiasts. Network with Leaders: Connect with founders, investors, and innovators at the exclusive gala (two VIP invitations included). Inspire the Next Generation: Empower entrepreneurs to dream big and build the next unicorn.
Limited Spots Available!
Email awards@lift99.co to explore partnership opportunities. Join us at the Estonian Startup Awards Gala on February 11 to celebrate innovation and unite our thriving startup community!
The team
The team
Eili Mändul
Project Manager
Partnerships
Helen Piirsalu
Partnerships
Eliizabeth Mändul
Operations
Liisa Mahlapuu
Operations
Marina Bachmann
Public Relations
Liisbet Paklinski
Marketing
Hello. We are the core team behind Estonian Startup Awards. We've been on the Estonian startup scene for years – working within startups, organizing events, managing projects, supporting organizations, freelancing in various roles, and simply being passionate about our tight-knit community. We love seeing our ecosystem grow, expand into the world, and make Estonia bigger!
Locations
Tallinn Hub
Kyiv Hub
Locations
Tallinn Hub
Kyiv Hub
Locations
Tallinn Hub
Kyiv Hub