President of Estonia Highlights Resilience and Potential of Start-Up Sector at Latitude59 Conference
Estonia’s thriving start-up sector demonstrates the resilience of its economic environment and the potential for a promising future, says President of Estonia, Alar Karis. In his opening address at the opening of Latitude59, Estonia’s most international startup and technology conference, in Tallinn he highlighted the critical role of start-ups in applying scientific discoveries to real-world solutions. He pointed out the need for regulatory adjustments to integrate artificial intelligence effectively into the European economy. “The European economy today depends a lot on how quickly we can really integrate science,” said Karis.
The Start of Latitude59
The 12th edition of Latitude59 has brought together over 3,500 attendees, including more than 900 startup representatives and 20 national delegations. This year, nearly 600 investors, managing portfolios worth at least 30 billion euros, are participating. Over the course of two days, 195 speakers will take the stage, with 40% of them being women. The conference features participants from more than 60 countries worldwide.
Conference Themes: Connection and Responsibility
The main themes of this year’s conference are Connection and Responsibility. The technology sector, particularly start-ups in Estonia and globally, significantly contributes to innovation, especially in the defense sector. Latitude59 aims to bring discussions about the future of technology and its societal impact to the forefront. “We ourselves can take responsibility for how technology will shape us in the future and what the world will be like in the near future,” stated Liisi Org, CEO of Latitude59.
Diverse Topics and Stages
The conference will cover deep technology, defense sector innovation, and the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence across five stages. “We bring the stories of founders who are already building a different world onto three stages this time,” said Kai Isand, the program manager of Latitude59. The Google stage will feature startup pitches, and a new SEB stage will host real-time podcast recordings. These sessions are designed to inspire and energize visitors, providing them with fresh insights and motivation.
Special Events and Pre-Conference Activities
Latitude59 is being held on May 23-24 in Tallinn, Estonia. The traditional pre-conference day, known as 0-day, was dedicated to investors and public sector decision-makers. One notable event, the short conference “Thinking in Billions,” was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. This event attracted nearly 300 participants and focused on the challenges and opportunities for start-ups in health technologies, artificial intelligence, data, and the defense industry.
About Latitude59
Latitude59 serves as a vital platform for discussing how technology and innovation can shape the future responsibly. By bringing together a diverse group of entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders, the conference aims to foster connections and inspire new solutions to global challenges. As President Karis stressed, the decisions made and innovations developed in the technology sector today will significantly impact our future, making conferences like Latitude59 essential for driving progress.
The travel for this story was sponsored by the Government of Estonia.
