Foreign Founders Meetup

It is exciting to grow your startup in Estonia, but it can sometimes be a little strange. Investors may invite you to the sauna before they invite you to their office. The first meeting may pass almost in silence, but the next day you find you that everyone is now following you on LinkedIn. If somebody says “we’ll see”, they generally mean no, they are just being polite.

The Foreign Founders Meetup will help you understand local habits better and get to know the happy introverts that are Estonians, while driving your business forward at the same time. Each event has practical workshops, open discussions and a wealth of opportunities for networking. The Estonian startup ecosystem will gradually become less of a mystery and much more a place you can feel at home.

What is the Foreign Founders Meetup?

The Foreign Founders Meetup is a six-part series of events set up by the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency in partnership with the Tehnopol Startup Incubator to support foreign founders working in Estonia.

Joining the series gives you

• a practical understanding of the business, legal and tax environment in Estonia
• direct access to experts, mentors and investors
• a strong network with other founders and partners in Estonia
• the confidence and skills to grow your company faster and expand internationally

The previous series of events ran from October 2025 to March 2026, with most of the meetings in Tallinn and one in Tartu. Each meeting has workshops and a panel discussion and a long networking session where you can find partners, team members and investors.

Who can attend?

If you are a foreign founder or a member of an early-stage team that is operating in Estonia, then these Meetups are for you. We are open to anyone who wants to understand the local business environment better, create meaningful contacts, develop their skills, and prepare to grow internationally.

Format

Each of the six meetups lasts up to four hours and has the same structure

• A workshop of 45–60 minutes for practical knowledge and tools
• A panel discussion of 30 minutes on the experiences of local and foreign founders with different perspectives
• Networking for 60-90 minutes to meet new people, exchange ideas and make contacts

The events are FREE, but you must register in advance.

Topics

The most important issues for foreign founders will be covered during the six meetings

• The Estonian legal landscape for founders
  how to avoid legal mishaps and operate with confidence. First event 16 October.
• Estonian taxes and accounting
  a practical explanation of taxes and accounting. Held on 11 November.
• How to find your first clients in Estonia
  strategies for finding your first clients. Held on 03 December.
• What investors are looking for in 2026
  (side event at sTARTUp Day in Tartu). Held on 28 January.
• Building a local network that really works
  how to create meaningful relationships with local mentors and partners. Held on 12 February.
• Soft skills and mental fortitude for foreign founders
  managing, balance and resilience in a new cultural environment. Held on 12 March.

Come to the Foreign Founders Meetup events and gain the knowledge, contacts and opportunities that will help your startup in Estonia to grow!

Co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.