Latvia’s Beneflo admitted to Visa’s VIPE European Innovation Programme

Eight financial technology companies from the Nordic countries have been admitted to the international payment technology company Visa’s European innovation programme, VIPE. Among them is Latvia’s Beneflo, which is developing an employee support solutions platform that simplifies the international allocation of various bonuses and benefits to employees using a Visa card and app.
In addition to Beneflo, the programme has also admitted Enable Banking from Finland, Kardio from Iceland, Juuli from Estonia, Ledyer and Betalo from Sweden, Beep from Italy, and Myver from Denmark.
The VIPE Baltic and Nordic programme is a pilot project–focused collaboration platform that aims to accelerate digital innovation in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland, and Denmark. During the six-month programme, the startups involved will have the opportunity to develop their business ideas and innovations, implement pilot projects, build partnerships, and engage in networking activities with Visa partners worldwide.
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Originally published on 18 Dec
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The coalition parties have agreed that either the state or Elering will support the construction of energy storage capacities. The Ministry of Climate historically believed energy storage would be built on market demand. The Ministry of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas stated, “If we purchase offshore wind energy on a large scale and develop these capabilities, we must also ensure that we have the infrastructure for long duration energy storage.” She emphasised that constructing an offshore wind facility without appropriate energy storage poses a significant risk of energy being exported.
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Originally published on 27 Jan

The Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications has announced the launch of a €100 million Defence Fund, established to support the development of innovative defence and security capabilities to meet the growing global demand for new solutions. Managed by national fund manager SmartCap, the fund will provide direct investments to defence companies and funds investing in military and dual-use technologies.
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Originally published on 21 Jan

Doubts have been raised about Energiø Bornholm’s relevance and economy, but the project has never been more important. Besides being a crucial project in the European fight against climate change, the energy island has every opportunity to become a good business for Denmark.
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Originally published on 15 Jan

US healthcare products manufacturer Hollister Incorporated is expanding its Lithuanian operations. This month, the company has officially opened its financial services center, Hollister SSC Lithuania, complementing its manufacturing facility, Hollister Lietuva, located in the Kaunas Free Economic Zone. Building on this growth, the company has announced plans to establish a new product development (NPD) center at its Lithuanian facility later in the year.
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Originally published on 14 Jan

Estonia opened the first Business Hub in U.S. Located at the Embassy of Estonia in Washington, D.C., the Business Hub will serve as a bridge between Estonian companies and the vast business opportunities in the U.S. market. A delegation of Estonian defence industry innovators was present at the opening event, also attending the annual AUSA conference.
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Originally published on 17 Oct