Historic milestone achieved as capital city enters elite tier of global startup ecosystems.

Tallinn has achieved a historic milestone by entering the global top 50 startup ecosystems for the first time, rising six positions to rank 49th worldwide according to the newly released StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025. This remarkable achievement coincides with Estonia's continued ascent in the global rankings, climbing one spot to secure 11th place internationally.

Startup Highlights: Estonia in Numbers (2024–2025)

•  #2 globally in the Transportation sector
•  #11 worldwide in the Startup Ecosystem Index
• +34% annual ecosystem growth
• 2 unicorns (e.g. Bolt, Veriff among notable examples)
•  $266.9M in total startup funding
• Tallinn ranks #49 globally (+6 positions)
• Tallinn: 9th in the EU, 2nd in Eastern Europe

Strong Growth Momentum Drives Success
The Estonian startup ecosystem demonstrated exceptional performance with a robust 34% annual growth rate, enabling the country to surpass Australia and edge closer to the global top 10. Estonia now trails the Netherlands by less than 1% in total score, positioning it within striking distance of joining the world’s leading innovation economies.

"Estonia's rise as a global startup hub is no coincidence — it is the result of relentless innovation, digital-first governance, and a bold entrepreneurial spirit,"
said Erkki Keldo, Minister of Economy and Industry of the Republic of Estonia.
"From unicorns to early-stage pioneers, our ecosystem is built on trust, openness, and agility."

Tallinn’s Regional Leadership Strengthens
Within the European Union, Tallinn has climbed to 9th place, closing in on Copenhagen with less than 1% separating the two cities. The capital maintains its dominant position in Eastern Europe, ranking 2nd in the region and surpassing Istanbul by a narrow margin.

In the Baltic region, Tallinn leads decisively with an ecosystem 1.5 times larger than Vilnius. At the national level, Tallinn’s dominance is clear: its startup ecosystem score is nearly 21 times higher than Tartu, Estonia’s second-ranked city.

Transportation Industry Excellence
Estonia has established itself as a global force in the Transportation sector, ranked 2nd globally and 1st in Europe. Tallinn specifically excels in this field, securing 12th place globally and 2nd in the EU, thanks in part to the success of homegrown unicorn Bolt.

Why This Matters Internationally
Estonia’s rise isn’t just a domestic success story — it sends a strong signal to global investors, founders, and talent. With Tallinn now recognized among the world’s top 50 startup hubs, the country has reinforced its position as a launchpad for high-growth innovation in Europe and beyond.

International stakeholders can now see Tallinn not only as a place to scale, but to start. Whether you’re an investor looking for early-stage opportunities, or a startup seeking talent, Estonia’s ecosystem offers high returns, agility, and global reach.

Building on the "Skype Legacy"
Estonia’s startup success builds upon the foundation laid by Skype, whose development in Estonia catalyzed a generation of founders — known as the "Skype Mafia" — who reinvested their success into nurturing new Estonian startups. This legacy is supported by pioneering public-sector initiatives such as e-Residency, Startup Visa, and Nomad Visa, which have bolstered Estonia’s global reputation as a digital nation.

Future Growth Trajectory
With startups comprising a significant portion of Estonia’s employment sector, attracting international talent remains crucial. The Work in Estonia Program has doubled the international talent pool over the past five years, with a focus on IT and scientific sectors.

Looking forward, Estonia is expanding its innovation scope. The Defence Fund now supports advanced military tech startups, while Tartu is emerging as a center for Biotech and SpaceTech.

Strategic Vision Realized
According to the Startup Estonia White Paper 2021–2027, the country aims to grow its startup and tech sector to 15% of GDP by 2025. With Tallinn rising from 66th in 2020 to 49th in 2025, Estonia’s trajectory is undeniably upward.

Flagship events like Latitude59 and sTARTUp Day, along with ecosystem champions such as Startup Wise Guys (over 440 portfolio companies), continue to propel Estonia onto the world stage.

Source: StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025 - https://www.startupblink.com/startupecosystemreport