Posts Tagged ‘Estonia’
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
Read MoreNIB to support Tallinn Airport expansion
The project will support Tallinn Airport’s long-term development by increasing capacity, improving the passenger experience, and enhancing operational efficiency. By strengthening international air connectivity, the expansion will contribute to the growth of Estonia’s business and tourism sectors.
In 2024, Tallinn Airport served 3.5 million passengers, exceeding its current design capacity of 3 million. To respond to rising demand, the expansion will increase annual capacity to up to 5.5 million passengers, ensuring the airport can continue to operate efficiently and comfortably as traffic grows.
“We highly value our long-standing relationship with NIB, whose support has been instrumental in advancing essential infrastructure across the Nordic–Baltic region. Their confidence in our development plans is an important recognition of the work we are doing to ensure Tallinn Airport can grow sustainably and continue serving passengers at the highest level,” said Anneli Turkin, CFO of Tallinn Airport.
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Originally published on 19 Dec
Read MoreMyDello Secures €3.1 Million to Accelerate the Digitization of Global Logistics
MyDello, the digital freight forwarding platform dedicated to simplifying global trade, today announced it has successfully closed a €3.1 million funding round. The round was led by the Icelandic fund Frumtak Ventures, with significant follow-on participation from early investor Superhero Capital.
This new capital will be used to accelerate MyDello’s mission to transform the deeply fragmented and antiquated global logistics industry. The investment will fuel the development of advanced AI-powered solutions, drive strategic expansion into new European markets, and further enhance MyDello’s digital platform, which has already onboarded over 12,500 businesses.
The global logistics industry, valued at an estimated $6 trillion annually, has long been a bottleneck for businesses worldwide. For decades, it has operated on outdated systems involving faxes, phone calls, and mountains of physical paperwork, creating a frustratingly opaque and inefficient environment. MyDello was founded to solve this problem head-on by providing a single, digital-first platform that makes shipping goods simple, transparent, and efficient for everyone.
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Originally published on 16 Dec
Read MoreCybersafety in numbers Nordic-Baltic cyber consortium
Seven countries in the Nordic-Baltic region have agreed to pool their resources to stave off cyberattacks. Funded by the EU, hosted by Denmark, and with the participation of Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania and Norway, the Nordic-Baltic Cyber Consortium will serve as a means for national cyber-security agencies in the seven countries to share information and to work together to develop new ways to counter cyberthreats.
The threat of cyberattack is not unique to the Baltic region, but the countries taking part in the consortium are among the most digitalised in the world, and thus particularly at risk. One strategy to protect themselves would be to take their foot off the pedal and move some services offline again, but that would mean losing many of the efficiency gains digitialisation has created, especially in the public sector. Doing so would also spoil plans to roll out artificial intelligence. By doubling down on digitalisation, they have decided that what makes them vulnerable is also what can make them stronger.
Read MoreTallinn Airport is now carbon neutral
Since 2018, Tallinn Airport has reduced carbon emissions from its operations by 96%. An audit carried out under the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) global carbon management certification programme has confirmed that the airport achieved carbon neutrality based on the actions adopted in 2024 (certified in 2025). To receive certification, the company was required to reduce its emissions by at least 90%, for us the remaining 4% – related to de-icing activities and employee business travel – permitted to be offset.
This substantial reduction in emissions represents a significant achievement, reflecting the effectiveness of the actions and commitment demonstrated by the company, its employees, and partners.
According to Anneli Turkin, Member of the Management Board of Tallinn Airport, Tallinn has for years served as a role model for other airports across Europe, particularly through its determination and tangible actions, which have now resulted in the achievement of carbon neutrality. “Since 2018, we have systematically collected data, calculated and reduced our carbon footprint, and involved our partners in the process. Everyone’s contribution has been invaluable, and the change in our employees’ behaviour has had a major impact – the CO₂e emissions per employee at Tallinn Airport have decreased from 38 tonnes to just 1.3 tonnes,” said Turkin, adding that he is extremely proud of the entire airport team.
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Originally published on 11 Dec
Read MoreEstonia completes its biggest battery storage facility
The Estonian power grid is steadily building up more resources to accommodate growing demand from smart industries and meet sustainability goals. A new major milestone in this transition has been reached this week, with the completion of a 200 MWh battery park in Kiisa, just south of Tallinn.
The €100M facility, built by Estonian company Evecon alongside French partners Corsica Sole and Mirova, features 54 battery containers and represents continental Europe’s largest battery storage complex.
Battery storage is becoming critical for modern electricity grids, especially as countries increase their use of renewable energy sources like wind and solar, which produce power intermittently. Estonia is actively utilising both, putting online large solar and wind installations. Soon, these massive batteries will act like a buffer, storing excess electricity when production is high and releasing it when demand peaks or renewable generation drops.
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Originally published on 12 Dec
Read MoreAll aboard Rail Baltica gets a political push
Rail Baltica—the multi-billion‑euro, European‑gauge rail line linking Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with the rest of the EU—remains on schedule for completion in 2030, the prime ministers from the three countries said on Friday. Meeting in Rīga, they provided a status report for the project and pledged that they would devote the time and money needed for it to be completed (and promised to get as much EU funding as they could get their hands on).
The unwavering backing for the project is a reassurance; the problem is that it is necessary at all. All major infrastructure construction goes over time and over budget, but Rail Baltica is more than a matter of prestige. Like their decoupling from the Russian power grid earlier this year, its construction reiterates to Moscow that the Baltics are EU territory and would make it harder for the Kremlin to bring them back into its sphere of influence. Reports that Latvia was considering saving money by retaining the Russian gauge on its part of the railway may just have been rumour, but the seriousness of the situation cannot be exaggerated.
(📸 Inga Ruginienė)
Read MoreThe Role of the Estonian Islands Energy Agency in Developing a New Biogas Plant
A new biogas plant is set to be completed in spring 2026 in the village of Tahula on Estonia’s largest island, Saaremaa. The facility’s purpose goes beyond renewable energy production: it aims to make better use of local resources and reduce reliance on imported energy. The Estonian Islands Energy Agency has played a significant role in preparing and developing the project, supporting the transition toward cleaner and more stable energy use across Estonian islands.
The Tahula biogas plant will use by-products from Saaremaa’s agricultural enterprises. These organic residues will be converted into biogas and further refined into biomethane. The resulting fuel can be used in transportation, industry, and district heating, thereby reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.
A valuable by-product of the process is digestate ̶ a nutrient-rich material that farmers can use as fertilizer, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and helping maintain soil health.
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Originally published on 11 Dec
Read MoreCruise Season at the Port of Tallinn continues through winter
Today, on 10th of November the Port of Tallinn welcomes the cruise ship AIDAprima, operated by the German cruise line AIDA Cruises. The ship has brought around 3,600 passengers to explore autumnal Tallinn. The cruise began in Kiel, and after today’s stop in Tallinn, the vessel will depart at midnight for Helsinki.
AIDAprima is one of AIDA Cruises’ new-generation ships. The ship can accommodate up to 4,300 passengers and about 900 crew members. It is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), making it one of the most environmentally friendly cruise ships sailing the Baltic Sea. Onboard, guests can enjoy a wide range of restaurants, spa and entertainment facilities, and a spacious glass-roofed promenade area designed for year-round comfort.
Local tour operator Estonian Holidays is organising traditional bus and walking tours to introduce guests to Tallinn’s medieval Old Town. Special excursions also reach Pirita, Kadriorg, and even Anija Manor outside the city. For those seeking something different, a late-night ghost tour – “Secrets and Mystery of Tallinn Old Town by Night” – offers a thrilling way to experience the city after dark.
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Originally published on 10 Dec
Read MoreAI Accelerator helps nine startups strengthen business models and attract investment
A new batch has started their journey in the Tehnopol AI Accelerator – nine startups with a shared goal: to develop AI-based products and services that increase their competitiveness and provide real added value to society.
The accelerator program supports companies with a dedicated training series focused on the practical aspects of implementing artificial intelligence. In addition, teams work with mentors and experts who assist them in both technical development and business model refinement. The program concludes with a demo day, where teams can present their solutions to experts and potential follow-on investors.
The three teams with the greatest business potential will receive a development grant of €10,000.
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Originally published on 8 Dec
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