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Estonian ICT companies have helped to build the most advanced digital society in the world – it’s time to share this experience with others.

Whether it’s through Big Data & Data Analysis, Robotics & IoT, AI & Machine Learning or CyberTech, Estonia’s digital infrastructure and governance model offer a unique and forward-thinking foundation for business growth and innovation. The experience we offer is highly relevant to other countries because Estonia has successfully navigated the challenges of digital transformation on a national scale, proving that our solutions are not only innovative but also scalable and adaptable to diverse global contexts. In addition, Estonia’s approach to digital governance and infrastructure has demonstrated tangible results, improving efficiency, security, and citizen engagement. Our solutions are designed to be flexible and resilient, making them applicable across various industries and adaptable to different regulatory environments. By partnering with Estonian ICT companies, other nations can leverage our proven expertise to accelerate their own digital transformation, driving economic growth and enhancing global competitiveness.

The story of e-Estonia began in early 1990s, when the country made a strategic decision to focus on digital innovation with the goal to keep clear from austerity. Since then, our ICT companies have played a crucial role in the digital transformation (Nortal, Helmes) of Estonia by developing, securing, and expanding our online services. e-Estonia now acts as a global benchmark for digital societies, and our thriving startup scene boasts the highest number of unicorns per capita (Wise, Bolt, etc).

Estonian ICT companies also attract international talent and expertise. By working smart and building on a wealth of global experience, we have created an innovative digital ecosystem based on collaboration and scalability. Having operated within a digital society for decades, we are ‘born digital,’ making us exceptionally skilled in smart and agile development.

Through borderless ICT solutions, we bring extensive knowledge, boldness and hunger to innovate (Bolt). This dedication drives mutual growth and success in the global market, making Estonia a dynamic partner in the ICT sector worldwide.

Core Facts

• #1 European leader in unicorns per capita. Estonia is the birthplace to 10 unicorns (Skype, Playtech, Wise, Bolt, Glia, Pipedrive, Zego, Veriff, Gelato, ID.me), meaning we have the most unicorns per capita in Europe, according to Dealroom (2022).
• 51% of the ICT sector’s revenue is coming from international clients, showcasing sustained growth and global demand. (ITL, 2024)Use the narrative as a blueprint for crafting engaging content and shaping the overall messaging strategy.
• 99% of all public services are accessible online, with the infrastructure developed from scratch and continuously maintained & improved by IT companies in close cooperation with the government (2023).
• #5 in the EU for the proportion of ICT specialists in total employment.
• 8% ICT sector contributes to Estonia’s GDP The annual growth rate of the Estonian ICT sector has been around 8% in recent years, outpacing the average EU growth rate of 5%. (Eurostat, 2022)
• #10: Estonia ranks 10th globally in ICT services export as a percentage of total exports. (WTO, 2022)
• 30%: ICT services account for 30% of Estonia’s total services exports. (Bank of Estonia, 2022)
• Estonia’s digital services save around 1407 years of working time annually and has become a hassle-free environment for business and entrepreneurship (e-Estonia

ICT sector’s strengths

• Seemless data flow – Estonia has managed to create a unified data exchange and interoperability across all sectors, both in the public and private sphere.
• Innovative ecosystem – the continuous flow of new technologies and solutions is supported by research institutions University of Tartu, Tallinn University of Technology), a robust startup culture, and substantial government incentives (Startup Estonia).
• Global reach and collaboration – Estonian ICT companies frequently engage in international projects and partnerships, leveraging a multicultural and multilingual workforce to expand their presence and influence (GuardTime – offers world-class digital security, Wise, Playtech).
• Digital leadership – entrepreneurs and companies can operate in a highly efficient, scalable, and innovation-friendly ecosystem. This environment significantly reduces operational barriers, facilitates market entry, and enhances competitive advantage on a global scale (Starship Technologies, Veriff, Feelingstream – uses AI to analyse customer interactions in real-time).

Our digital society allows for unmatched speed and ease of business

Here’s just a few things you can get done just while boiling an egg:

• declare taxes
• sign documents digitally
• start a company
• use e-banking and transfer money

You have a challenge? We already have the solution.

The technologies we create change the world, and our thriving ICT and startup sector likely already has a solution to any challenge, across all walks of life.

Talking points:

The Estonian ICT sector benefits from a highly innovative ecosystem, supported by research institutions, a robust startup culture (Skype, Playtech, Wise, Bolt, Glia, Pipedrive, Zego, Veriff, Gelato, ID.me), and substantial government incentives, all driving the continuous flow of new technologies and solutions (Pipedrive). Estonia’s ICT sector has thrived due to strong startup culture and government incentives, contributing to over 7% of the country’s GDP and attracting €1.3 billion in tech investments in 2022 alone.

Estonia boasts over 10 000 ICT companies along with the highest number of startups and unicorns per capita.

Our success stories (Skype, Bolt etc) have inspired new generations of founders and entrepreneurs who are focused on solving global issues and creating products with worldwide impact. Estonia is leading the way in several key fields such as developing advanced cybersecurity and defence solutions (Cybexer, SensusQ).

Our AI advancements are revolutionizing sectors such as customer service and healthcare.

Innovative Estonian IoT implementations are used globally for smart city planning, agriculture, and industrial applications (eAgronom, Paul-Tech, AuveTech).

Our proven track record makes us a key player in delivering scalable and future-ready technology solutions (Thinnect, UaV Factory, Cybers, Cybexer), and enables us to offer high-expertise consulting services.

Driving innovation across key technology sectors

We are at the forefront of global technological advancement, leveraging cutting-edge expertise in key sectors to create a more connected, secure, and sustainable future.

Talking points:

Estonia’s ICT sector attracts a diverse and high-caliber international talent pool, which fuels innovation through research and development (Starship Technologies, Moderam).

Our borderless approach ensures that Estonian ICT solutions remain at the forefront of technological advancements (Cleveron, Veriff).

By attracting specialists from abroad (Jobbatical), Estonia addresses local skill shortages particularly in IT and cybersecurity. Comprehensive support helps digital nomads and international talent feel at home, leading to more stable and long-term contributions.

Through supportive initiatives, like the Digital Nomad Visa, Work in Estonia initiative, the country expands its talent pool, reinforcing its reputation as a leading hub for tech and cybersecurity innovation. This, in turn, creates an environment conducive to both personal and professional growth, ensuring long-term socio-economic benefits.

Ideal testing ground for your boldest ideas

Thanks to swift adaptation and quick scaling, Estonia is the perfect sandbox for growing groundbreaking ideas and emerging technologies.

Talking points:

We set an example for digital integration that other countries can adopt to enhance their own digital infrastructures. Estonia ranks, setting a global benchmark for digital integration that other countries can adopt. (Nortal, Guardtime, Cybernetica, Net Group).

Estonia’s compact size allows for swift adaptation and scaling of digital solutions, serving as the ideal testing ground for emerging technologies (Bolt, Pipedrive, Elisa, Rangeforce). Estonia’s compact size and agile ecosystem have enabled it to produce 10 times more startups per capita than the European average, making it an ideal testing ground for emerging technologies.

Dedication to research and development helps to continually advance our technology, ensuring robust, efficient, and secure ICT solutions that meet both current and future demand. Estonia invests over 1.8% of its GDP in research and development, driving continuous technological advancement and ensuring the delivery of robust, efficient and secure ICT solutions.

Estonia ranks 3rd in the EU for the highest number of cybersecurity companies per capita, reflecting its robust commitment to digital security and innovation in the ICT sector.