Over the last two months, the Founder Institute (the world's largest entrepreneur training and startup launch program) has hosted a series of free startup events in Tallinn in order to gauge interest in a new Estonia Founder Institute Chapter.
The reponse to this trial has been impressive, as our events have attracted over 150 potential applicants in Tallinn. As a result of strong demand for the program, we have some very exciting news - we are officially announcing the launch of the Tallinn Founder Institute!
Applications to the program are open now, and anyone interested in launching a technology company is welcome to apply to the Tallinn Founder Institute at http://fi.co/apply/tallinn.
In order to celebrate the launch, the Tallinn Founder Institute will host a “Pre-Curriculum” of free startup events for the general public - including a "Startup Founder 101: Co-Founder Matching" event on Wednesday, Oct 1st. Click here to see the full list of startup events in Tallinn.
Through the Founder Institute’s four-month program, promising entrepreneurs “learn by doing” and launch a company with structured training, expert feedback, and support from experienced startup CEOs. Since the program is part-time, it is also a great opportunity for full-time professionals to test and build their ideas before making “the leap” from employee to entrepreneur and quitting their jobs. Founder Institute Graduate companies include fast-rising startups across 6 continents like Udemy, Realty Mogul, Itembase, goplaceit, Appota, and many more.
Even though Estonia is small in size, the country consistently produces several meaningful and enduring technology startups every year. The Founder Institute aims to help promising entrepreneurs build global businesses in Estonia, through our training and global network of resources"- Adeo Ressi, Founder & CEO of the Founder Institute
Leading the Founder Institute's efforts in is two leaders of the Estonia startup ecosystem; Mari Suviste, the Founder of aHack, and Lauri Antalainen, Co-Founder of CoreGrow and GameFounders.
Many successful entrepreneurs have also pledged their support to mentor new entrepreneurs in the Tallinn program, including;
- Aigar Koov: Founder & MD, Evocon
- Andres Osula: Board Member, Tsolutions
- Gary Planthaber Planthaber
- Kati Nikopensius: Co-founder, Uschanka
- Kristel Viidik: Founder & CEO, Testlio
- Lauri Antalainen: Founder & CEO, Avocado Games
- Mait Müntel: Co-founder, Lingvist
- Mike Reiner: Managing Director, Startup Wise Guys
- Rauno Rüngas: Founder & CEO, Qminder
- Siim Lepisk: CEO, Prototron
- Tiit Paananen, ex-Skyper
- Tiit Anmann: Founder & CEO, SignWise
- Toomas Talts: Entrepreneur, Codeborne
- And many more to be announced.
Anybody who is interested in launching a technology company is welcome to apply. The Final Application Deadline is on November 9th, but those who apply by the Early Application Deadline on October 26th are eligible for a variety of scholarships - including the Female Founder Fellowship, which is offered to the best overall female applicant.
In only 15 years of operation, over 7,500 graduate companies across 200 cities have used the Founder Institute to validate their idea, develop their plans, refine their product, build an advisory board, prepare for seed funding, and more.
