Estonia’s biggest entrepreneurship competition launches – 30th anniversary year seeks new stars
From today, 15 May, all businesses can apply for Estonia’s biggest entrepreneurship competition “Estonia’s Best Companies 2025”. Anyone in Estonia can nominate outstanding companies. The aim of the competition is to recognise high-flying Estonian companies and highlight entrepreneurial spirit. The deadline for applications and nominations is 6 July, and the winners will be announced at an awards gala on 1 November.
The Entrepreneurship Competition combines two competitions:
The Entrepreneurship Award competition is organised by the Estonian Foundation for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Estonian Employers’ Confederation. The best companies will be selected in seven categories.
“The Entrepreneurship Award recognises top performers in areas that increase Estonia’s competitiveness and help Estonian businesses become more technology-intensive and create higher added value. Over the past 30 years, more than 120 companies from all over Estonia have been recognised. They include world-class technology developers, innovative industrial companies, small and large exporters, regional developers and families where entrepreneurship is not just a job, but a way of life. This diverse picture shows how multi-faceted and strong Estonian entrepreneurship is,” said Ursel Velve , Chairman of the Board of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Foundation.
“There has been a lot of uncertainty around the world and difficult economic times. This makes it all the more important to recognise companies and entrepreneurs who have successfully weathered the turbulence and set a good example for others,” emphasised Hando Sutter, CEO of the Confederation of Estonian Employers. “Sharing the most successful experiences and achievements also inspires others to strive for bolder goals, thereby helping to increase the competitiveness of the entire economic area.”
According to Alvar Sassi, CEO of Harju Elektri, the winner of last year’s Company of the Year award, the recognition had two very important messages: “On the one hand, it was a clear message from the state that industry, the foundation of exports, continues to be an important economic sector for the Estonian state. On the other hand, it was an important acknowledgement to our team, who have tirelessly contributed and are continuing to contribute to a smart, digitalised and sustainable Harju Elektr. I am sincerely grateful that our contribution was noticed at such a high level.”
Entries and nominations for the Entrepreneurship Award are open until 6 July at https://ettevotluseauhind.eis.ee/.
The competitiveness ranking of Estonian enterprises is compiled by the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The overall ranking of business competitiveness is based on the economic performance of businesses. Companies are ranked in different major sectors – industry and energy, trade and services – as well as in other sectoral rankings. The competition methodology has been developed by the Estonian Institute of Economic Research.
“Launched thirty years ago, the Entrepreneurship Competition has become a kind of pulse of the Estonian economy – we can see where our strengths lie and what are the directions of development,” said Mait Palts, Director General of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “I invite all companies to apply, as this way we inspire each other to set higher goals and indirectly help each other achieve them. This, in turn, will boost the competitiveness of our economy and promote Estonian life,” he said.
Last year, Harju Elekter won the Company of the Year title, and was also the best in the Industry Digitaliser of the Year category. Other winners were Nortal (Exporter of the Year), Bauroc (Family Business of the Year), Estiko-Plastar (Sustainability Promoter of the Year), HANZA Mechanics Tartu (Foreign Investor of the Year) and OKO Restaurants (Tourism Promoter of the Year). Last year, Eesti Gaas was the most competitive industrial and energy company of the year, Auto 100 the most competitive retailer of the year and Swedbank the most competitive service company of the year.
More information on the whole entrepreneurship competition: ettevotluskonkurss.ee
Organised by the Estonian Foundation for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Estonian Employers’ Confederation, the Entrepreneurship Competition is the largest private-public partnership competition in Estonia, with more than 2,000 Estonian companies participating every year. The competition is being held for the 30th time, and its roots date back to 1996, when the title “Foreign Investor 1995” was awarded for the first time under the leadership of then President Lennart Meri.