International Workshop Days in Tartu, Estonia
Breaking into new markets is tough. How do you navigate unfamiliar business landscapes, attract investors, and build a scalable company? These were the key questions explored during the second Scaleup Launchpad workshop in Tartu, Estonia—a gathering that brought together 19 ambitious startups from Sweden, Finland and Estonia.
From Strategy to Reality to Brutal Honesty
Scaling a business beyond home turf is never easy, and this time the workshop days focused on the real-world challenges of international expansion. The event kicked off with sessions on market entry strategies, featuring first-hand experiences from the companies iMatrics, 46elks and Taplause which have successfully navigated new territories.
One of the most talked-about moments came from Yrjö Ojasaar, an Estonian investor with years of experience in the U.S. startup scene. His session on venture capital was both direct and brutally honest—challenging founders to rethink how they approach funding. (Curious to hear his take? Read more here.)
Building a Stronger Community
A key takeaway from the workshop was the importance of shared experiences. With all 19 companies in the program present, a strong sense of community was built—not just during the sessions but also during coffee breaks, group dinners, and late-night discussions.
“Talking to other founders who are facing similar challenges is incredibly valuable,” one participant noted. “You realize you’re not alone in this.”
Wrapping Up at sTARTUp Day
The final part of the week took place at sTARTUp Day, one of the biggest startup events in the Baltic/Scandinavian area. This was a chance to put insights into action—meeting potential partners, engaging in investor discussions, and exploring new business opportunities.
A big thank you to all the Swedish companies that joined: iMatrics, Elementric, Cruitify, Beaver Codes, and 46Elks. The journey toward international growth continues, but after three days in Tartu, these teams are better equipped than ever to take their next steps. The participating companies will meet for one last workshop event in May, this time in Tampere, Finland.
The Scaleup Launchpad program is a EU-funded project run by Business Tampere, Norrköping Science Park and SparkUp – Tartu Science Park as part of the Interreg Central Baltic programme.
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