Speakers

Here are the speakers of sTARTUp Day 2024!

Chris Shirley
Brand Designer, Founder & Marketing Strategist, Haus of Hiatus
Jaanika Merilo
Tech Innovator
Kaarel Kotkas
Founder & CEO, Veriff
Lena Thompson
Keynote Speaker & Future of Work Consultant
Kalev Kaarna
Fixing B2B Sales & Fundraising
Mari Luukkainen
Principal, Icebreaker.vc
Alar Karis
President of the Republic of Estonia
Tiina Saar-Veelmaa
Founder, Happy Workplace
Rainer Selvet
CTO, Ready Player Me
Ugne Fink-Jensen
Founder & Negotiator, Firm&Fair
Luiz Fittipaldi
Strategy & Research Lead, Bolt
Kristjan Korjus
Co-Founder & CTO, Pactum AI
Kunnar Karu
Outdoor enthusiast, Nipernaadi.ee
Marju Sokman
Founder & Marketing Consultant, Bespoke Marketing
Jaak Tomberg
Associate Professor of Contemporary Literature, University of Tartu
Marelle Ellen
Co-Host, grit. podcast
Taisuke Alex Odajima
CEO, EDGEof INNOVATION
Helen Vasilevski
Managing Director, flect.
Taavi Veskimägi
Partner / Investor & Executive, 2C Ventures VC fund / Energy & Defence Sector
Siim Jõgisuu
Head of Engineering, Mooncascade
Tõnu Esko
Vice Rector for Development, University of Tartu
Luize Mantina
Compliance and Risk Manager, Printful
Tõnu Runnel
Photographer
Madis Lehtmets
Designer & Entrepreneur
Elena Churilova
Founding CEO, Cino
Donnie Sc Lygonis
Innovation Strategist and Business Coach, the Royal Institute of Technology
Ghita Wallin
Co-Founder, MIMIR Fellows
Zdenek Fred Fous
Founder & General Partner, PurposeTech
Eva Berlaus
Managing Partner, Sorainen
Peep-Ain Saar
Pastor, Managing Partner, Arco Vara KVB
Uku Lember
Head of Finance, Lightyear
Katrin Tiidenberg
Professor of Participatory Culture, Tallinn University
Marlon Dumas, PhD
Professor of Information Systems, the University of Tartu
Urtė Karklienė
Sustainability Manager, Oxylabs.io
Pontus Stråhlman
Partner, Voima Ventures
Sille Pettai
Fund Manager, SmartCap
Kaspar Roost
Design Ops Lead, Swedbank
Susanna Peters
Fashion Designer & Founder, Franz Raver
Vaido Mikheim
Deeptech Project Lead, Startup Estonia
Xenia Joost
Fashion Innovator, Strategic Asian Export Leader, Enterprise Estonia
Alessandro Braglia
Junior Programme Manager, Seraphim Space Accelerator
Key Külaots
CEO, Estonian Fashion Festival
Uldis Teraudkalns
Co-Host, The Pursuit of Scrappiness Podcast
Jerry Yang
General Partner, HCVC
Andres Kuusik
Professor of Marketing, the University of Tartu
Kelly Chen
Founding Team Member, NATO Innovation Fund
Rein Lemberpuu
CEO, .Contriber
Killu Kolsar
Co-Founder and Life Coach, ASI ON MINUS!
Sandra Vabarna
Co-Founder and High-Performance Coach, ASI ON MINUS!
Andreas Velling
Chief Marketing Officer, Fractory
Arvi Jõers
Co-Founder, Gearbox Biosciences
Karin Kogermann
CEO, EsaDres
Kaido Kurrikoff
CEO, Vectiopep
Olivia Kranich
Property Expert, Sorainen
Oliver Kuusk
Head of the Technology, Media & Telecommunications Sector Group, Sorainen Estonia
Mirell Prosa
Head of Startup Team, Sorainen Estonia
Kevin Piho
Associate, Sorainen Corporate and M&A Team
Pavel Ruban
Head of Finance, Ready Player Me
Lily Mägi
PR Consultant, META Alpha
Konstantin Sadekov
CEO & Co-Founder, EthicalSEO
Taavi Rebane
Head of Marketing, Messente
Jonathan Neumann
Director, Enterprise Sales, PayPal
Jakob Gill
Training Specialist, Produktiivsusklubi
Ann Hiiemaa
Partner, META Alpha
Aleksandr Afanasjev
Chief Training Officer, Combat Ready
Priit Lilleväli
Leadership Instructor & Coach, Combat Ready
Axaya Kansal
Director of Product Management, Boku
David Beckett
Pitch Coach, Best3Minutes Pitch Coaching
Efi Dahan
VP, General Manager, PayPal
Priit Kongo
CEO, Net Group OÜ
Liis Tiisvelt
Founder & CTO, KIUD Technologies OÜ
Otto Mättas
AI Expert, AI & Robotics Estonia
Peter Sarlin
CEO & Co-Founder, Silo AI
Petri-Jaan Lahtvee
Co-Founder, ÄIO
Remo Ojaste
Co-Founder & CEO, Combat Ready
Yoad Mick
Imagination Startup Coach & CEO, IMAGYM
Siim Saliste
Head of Business Development, Vegvisir
Jaanika Jaanits
CEO, Center for Anthropology
Liina Rajaveer
Head of Development, Center for Anthropology
Jaanus Lahe
CEO, Convertal
Christina Värno
Growth Strategist, Convertal Accelerate, Head of Digital & Partner, Convertal
Aivar Pere
Open Innovation Academy Project Lead and Entrepreneurship Lecturer, the University of Tartu
Andres Vaher
Marketing and Communication Specialist, the University of Tartu
Martin Jõesaar
Project Officer, DG DEFIS
Ivo Tamm
Data Services Delivery Manager, Playtech
Darja Matt
International Research Cooperation Adviser, Estonian Research Council
Tea Tassa
Measure Coordinator, the State Shared Service Center
Dr. Olesja Bondarenko
CEO, Nanordica Medical
Marie Jaksman
Strategic Growth Advisor & Mentor
Farhad Niyoz
CEO, Cocoon Program
Hristo Neiland
Mentor, Cocoon
Aleksander Tõnnisson
Mentor, .Contriber School
Triin Sarri
Mentor, .Contriber School
Mariana Hagström
Founder & CEO, Avokaado
Rainis Venta
Technology Transfer Expert, TalTech
Maria Silvia Martinson
Patent Attorney, TRINITI
Peeter Paul Mõtsküla
Attorney at Law, TRINITI
Grete Grant
Global Communications & PR Consultant, Miltton
Sander Sillavee
Strategic Communications & Partnerships, Miltton
Piret Prangel
Head of Employee Relations, Swedbank Estonia
Caroline Barnekow
Director Innovation, Fintech and Impact Tech Engagement, Mastercard
Kaisa Eiche
Freelance Art Worker & MA student, the University of Tartu Faculty of Economics and Business Administration
Kersti Vannas
CEO, Instar EBC OÜ
Liina Raus
Founder and CEO, Kogo Gallery
Triin Preem
Startup Segment Manager, Swedbank Estonia
Ahmet Köse
CPO & Co-Founder, R8 Technologies
Artur Leemet
Head of Corporate Finance Sales Support, Swedbank Baltics AS
Mihkel Tamm
Head of Sustainability in Corporate Banking, Swedbank AS
Anu Martinson
Mentor and .C Lady, .Contriber School; Contriber Reasearch Center
Tauri Trummal
.Contriber Community and Marketing, .Contriber Group / CEO of Kompanii Club
Ingrid Viinapuu
Head of People & Culture, Telia Eesti
Christina Skoubridou
Director of EU Innovation, Envolve Entrepreneurship
Külli Hansen
CEO, Tartu Centre for Creative Industries
Piotr Siepiński
Enterprise Sales Manager, PayPal
Aneta Gałązka
Project Manager, FundingBox/TARGET-X
Anastassia Tsarenko
Performance Marketing Manager, Bolt
Valter Võhma
Associate Partner & Attorney-at-Law, TRINITI Estonia
Elar Killumets
Leadership Coach, Tulemusjuhtimine OÜ
Kalev Kaarna
Sales Fixer, SeedSmart OÜ
Elli Valla
Early Stage Researcher / Co-Founder & CEO TalTech / Augmental
Toomas Klementi
Early Stage Researcher, TalTech
Peeter Ross
Tenured Associate Professor
Ewa Karólewska
Senior Project Manager on Startup Support, European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) Food
Anna-Maria Mikaberidze
Co-founder & CEO, Beast
David Clark
Venture Partner, Tera VC
Linda Võeras
Early Stage Deep Tech Software Investor, Karma Ventures
Rebecka Löthman Rydå
Investment Director, Inventure VC
Martin Vares
CEO & Founder, Fractory
Kadri Tammai
Head of Tehnopol Startup Incubator & NATO DIANA accelerator in Estonia
Jana Budkovskaja
CEO, Beamline
Indrek Kelder
CFO, Beamline
Alexandra Ntemourtsidou
COO, Creator Fund
Cedric Rolli
Co-Founder, Urban Tiger
Julian Maier
Co-Founder, Urban Tiger
Helena Nulk-Leemets
Technology Intelligence Expert, EAS
Eneli Linnas
Research Team Lead, Instar
Lisett Luik
Co-Founder, Arbonics
Indrek Kaldoja
CFO, eAgronom
Sandra Golbreich
General Partner, Baltic Sandbox Ventures
Kaspar Raats
User Researcher, Volvo Cars
Harri Tallinn
Partner, Civitta
Vallo Teppe
Technical Sales Engineer, iDeal Group AS
Virkko Johanson
Technical Sales Engineer, iDeal Group AS
Tanel Järvet
Managing Director, CAFA Tech
Meylin Bayryamali
Design Lead, Wise
Ermo Tikk
Director, Creative Destruction Lab Estonia
Nadja Haugas
Futurist, Researcher, Educator
Mariliis Mia Topp
Co-Founder & CEO, Raw Edge
Mika Kukkurainen
Partner & Founder, Nordic Foodtech VC
Tuul Sepp
Professor of Animal Ecology, the University of Tartu
Tickets from €109

Tickets

Find your perfect ticket type! All ticket types grant access to all three festival days. 

Venue access
Ϟ Day 0: Side Events on January 29
Ϟ Day 1 on January 30
Ϟ Day 2 on January 31
Matchmaking
This is where the magic happens. Through our matchmaking app, you can schedule 20-minute meetings with participants and meet them at our matchmaking area. General access to the matchmaking app will be available at the beginning of the festival week.
Stage program
There will be three stages at sTARTUp Day 2025 – Starlight Stage, Insight Stage, and Pitching Stage – with speakers and presenters who cover a variety of topics for every taste.
Demo Area access
This is the Mecca of Entrepreneurship! Explore the latest innovations and discover new products, services, friends, opportunities and perhaps, your new career challenge.
sTARTUp Night
The legendary sTARTUp Night wraps up the first conference day on January 30. The afterparty is bringing together the coolest festival visitors, good music, and lots of surprises!
Seminars
Practical seminars to sharpen & level up your skills.
Side events
Vibrant side events take place all over Tartu before and during the official festival.
Early access to matchmaking app
With early access, you’ll gain access to our matchmaking app two weeks earlier than most people. Use the opportunity to get a head start and request meetings with the hottest participants before all their slots are full.
VIP Reception
Celebrate the beginning of sTARTUp Day in style! The VIP Reception brings together speakers, investors & executives for an unforgettable night.
VIP Lounge access
Escape to your lounge where you can kick back and relax, get some work done, or prep for the next meeting.
Investor Day
Investor Day on January 29 is an exclusive investors' meetup to share experiences, learn from each other, and create meaningful contacts. Structured in a way you'd feel both elevated by and busy with new ideas while leaving enough room for networking.
Executive Day
Executive Day on January 29 is about taking the time to listen, talk, and network with other leaders. This is the place to bounce your thoughts and learn about challenges and solutions across different industries.
List of attending investors
Startups will see the participating investors' list (investor's name + investment fund's name) which enables them to request meetings with the right investors through our matchmaking app.
List of attending startups
There are over 300 unique startups at sTARTUp Day, which can be quite overwhelming at times. We'll send you a database of all of the participating startups so you can browse through them all and select the ones you want to meet beforehand.
Personalised startup matches
With the help of our good friends from Dealum, we will find the most relevant startup matches based on each investor’s profile. This means that investors will get a list of hand-selected startups that meet their requirements, making it even easier to meet the right startup.
Visibility at sTARTUp Day website
All validated startups and the biggest VC funds will be featured on the sTARTUp Day website.

Visitor

129 €
BUY NOW
Venue access
Ϟ Day 0: Side Events on January 29
Ϟ Day 1 on January 30
Ϟ Day 2 on January 31
Matchmaking
This is where the magic happens. Through our matchmaking app, you can schedule 20-minute meetings with participants and meet them at our matchmaking area. General access to the matchmaking app will be available at the beginning of the festival week.
Stage program
There will be three stages at sTARTUp Day 2025 – Starlight Stage, Insight Stage, and Pitching Stage – with speakers and presenters who cover a variety of topics for every taste.
Demo Area access
This is the Mecca of Entrepreneurship! Explore the latest innovations and discover new products, services, friends, opportunities and perhaps, your new career challenge.
sTARTUp Night
The legendary sTARTUp Night wraps up the first conference day on January 30. The afterparty is bringing together the coolest festival visitors, good music, and lots of surprises!
Seminars
Practical seminars to sharpen & level up your skills.
Side events
Vibrant side events take place all over Tartu before and during the official festival.
Early access to matchmaking app
With early access, you’ll gain access to our matchmaking app two weeks earlier than most people. Use the opportunity to get a head start and request meetings with the hottest participants before all their slots are full.
VIP Reception
Celebrate the beginning of sTARTUp Day in style! The VIP Reception brings together speakers, investors & executives for an unforgettable night.
VIP Lounge access
Escape to your lounge where you can kick back and relax, get some work done, or prep for the next meeting.
Investor Day
Investor Day on January 29 is an exclusive investors' meetup to share experiences, learn from each other, and create meaningful contacts. Structured in a way you'd feel both elevated by and busy with new ideas while leaving enough room for networking.
Executive Day
Executive Day on January 29 is about taking the time to listen, talk, and network with other leaders. This is the place to bounce your thoughts and learn about challenges and solutions across different industries.
List of attending investors
Startups will see the participating investors' list (investor's name + investment fund's name) which enables them to request meetings with the right investors through our matchmaking app.
List of attending startups
There are over 300 unique startups at sTARTUp Day, which can be quite overwhelming at times. We'll send you a database of all of the participating startups so you can browse through them all and select the ones you want to meet beforehand.
Personalised startup matches
With the help of our good friends from Dealum, we will find the most relevant startup matches based on each investor’s profile. This means that investors will get a list of hand-selected startups that meet their requirements, making it even easier to meet the right startup.
Visibility at sTARTUp Day website
All validated startups and the biggest VC funds will be featured on the sTARTUp Day website.

Startup

109 €
BUY NOW
Venue access
Ϟ Day 0: Side Events on January 29
Ϟ Day 1 on January 30
Ϟ Day 2 on January 31
Matchmaking
This is where the magic happens. Through our matchmaking app, you can schedule 20-minute meetings with participants and meet them at our matchmaking area. General access to the matchmaking app will be available at the beginning of the festival week.
Stage program
There will be three stages at sTARTUp Day 2025 – Starlight Stage, Insight Stage, and Pitching Stage – with speakers and presenters who cover a variety of topics for every taste.
Demo Area access
This is the Mecca of Entrepreneurship! Explore the latest innovations and discover new products, services, friends, opportunities and perhaps, your new career challenge.
sTARTUp Night
The legendary sTARTUp Night wraps up the first conference day on January 30. The afterparty is bringing together the coolest festival visitors, good music, and lots of surprises!
Seminars
Practical seminars to sharpen & level up your skills.
Side events
Vibrant side events take place all over Tartu before and during the official festival.
Early access to matchmaking app
With early access, you’ll gain access to our matchmaking app two weeks earlier than most people. Use the opportunity to get a head start and request meetings with the hottest participants before all their slots are full.
VIP Reception
Celebrate the beginning of sTARTUp Day in style! The VIP Reception brings together speakers, investors & executives for an unforgettable night.
VIP Lounge access
Escape to your lounge where you can kick back and relax, get some work done, or prep for the next meeting.
Investor Day
Investor Day on January 29 is an exclusive investors' meetup to share experiences, learn from each other, and create meaningful contacts. Structured in a way you'd feel both elevated by and busy with new ideas while leaving enough room for networking.
Executive Day
Executive Day on January 29 is about taking the time to listen, talk, and network with other leaders. This is the place to bounce your thoughts and learn about challenges and solutions across different industries.
List of attending investors
Startups will see the participating investors' list (investor's name + investment fund's name) which enables them to request meetings with the right investors through our matchmaking app.
List of attending startups
There are over 300 unique startups at sTARTUp Day, which can be quite overwhelming at times. We'll send you a database of all of the participating startups so you can browse through them all and select the ones you want to meet beforehand.
Personalised startup matches
With the help of our good friends from Dealum, we will find the most relevant startup matches based on each investor’s profile. This means that investors will get a list of hand-selected startups that meet their requirements, making it even easier to meet the right startup.
Visibility at sTARTUp Day website
All validated startups and the biggest VC funds will be featured on the sTARTUp Day website.

Investor

169 €
BUY NOW
Venue access
Ϟ Day 0: Side Events on January 29
Ϟ Day 1 on January 30
Ϟ Day 2 on January 31
Matchmaking
This is where the magic happens. Through our matchmaking app, you can schedule 20-minute meetings with participants and meet them at our matchmaking area. General access to the matchmaking app will be available at the beginning of the festival week.
Stage program
There will be three stages at sTARTUp Day 2025 – Starlight Stage, Insight Stage, and Pitching Stage – with speakers and presenters who cover a variety of topics for every taste.
Demo Area access
This is the Mecca of Entrepreneurship! Explore the latest innovations and discover new products, services, friends, opportunities and perhaps, your new career challenge.
sTARTUp Night
The legendary sTARTUp Night wraps up the first conference day on January 30. The afterparty is bringing together the coolest festival visitors, good music, and lots of surprises!
Seminars
Practical seminars to sharpen & level up your skills.
Side events
Vibrant side events take place all over Tartu before and during the official festival.
Early access to matchmaking app
With early access, you’ll gain access to our matchmaking app two weeks earlier than most people. Use the opportunity to get a head start and request meetings with the hottest participants before all their slots are full.
VIP Reception
Celebrate the beginning of sTARTUp Day in style! The VIP Reception brings together speakers, investors & executives for an unforgettable night.
VIP Lounge access
Escape to your lounge where you can kick back and relax, get some work done, or prep for the next meeting.
Investor Day
Investor Day on January 29 is an exclusive investors' meetup to share experiences, learn from each other, and create meaningful contacts. Structured in a way you'd feel both elevated by and busy with new ideas while leaving enough room for networking.
Executive Day
Executive Day on January 29 is about taking the time to listen, talk, and network with other leaders. This is the place to bounce your thoughts and learn about challenges and solutions across different industries.
List of attending investors
Startups will see the participating investors' list (investor's name + investment fund's name) which enables them to request meetings with the right investors through our matchmaking app.
List of attending startups
There are over 300 unique startups at sTARTUp Day, which can be quite overwhelming at times. We'll send you a database of all of the participating startups so you can browse through them all and select the ones you want to meet beforehand.
Personalised startup matches
With the help of our good friends from Dealum, we will find the most relevant startup matches based on each investor’s profile. This means that investors will get a list of hand-selected startups that meet their requirements, making it even easier to meet the right startup.
Visibility at sTARTUp Day website
All validated startups and the biggest VC funds will be featured on the sTARTUp Day website.

Executive

169 €
BUY NOW
Venue access
Ϟ Day 0: Side Events on January 29
Ϟ Day 1 on January 30
Ϟ Day 2 on January 31
Matchmaking
This is where the magic happens. Through our matchmaking app, you can schedule 20-minute meetings with participants and meet them at our matchmaking area. General access to the matchmaking app will be available at the beginning of the festival week.
Stage program
There will be three stages at sTARTUp Day 2025 – Starlight Stage, Insight Stage, and Pitching Stage – with speakers and presenters who cover a variety of topics for every taste.
Demo Area access
This is the Mecca of Entrepreneurship! Explore the latest innovations and discover new products, services, friends, opportunities and perhaps, your new career challenge.
sTARTUp Night
The legendary sTARTUp Night wraps up the first conference day on January 30. The afterparty is bringing together the coolest festival visitors, good music, and lots of surprises!
Seminars
Practical seminars to sharpen & level up your skills.
Side events
Vibrant side events take place all over Tartu before and during the official festival.
Early access to matchmaking app
With early access, you’ll gain access to our matchmaking app two weeks earlier than most people. Use the opportunity to get a head start and request meetings with the hottest participants before all their slots are full.
VIP Reception
Celebrate the beginning of sTARTUp Day in style! The VIP Reception brings together speakers, investors & executives for an unforgettable night.
VIP Lounge access
Escape to your lounge where you can kick back and relax, get some work done, or prep for the next meeting.
Investor Day
Investor Day on January 29 is an exclusive investors' meetup to share experiences, learn from each other, and create meaningful contacts. Structured in a way you'd feel both elevated by and busy with new ideas while leaving enough room for networking.
Executive Day
Executive Day on January 29 is about taking the time to listen, talk, and network with other leaders. This is the place to bounce your thoughts and learn about challenges and solutions across different industries.
List of attending investors
Startups will see the participating investors' list (investor's name + investment fund's name) which enables them to request meetings with the right investors through our matchmaking app.
List of attending startups
There are over 300 unique startups at sTARTUp Day, which can be quite overwhelming at times. We'll send you a database of all of the participating startups so you can browse through them all and select the ones you want to meet beforehand.
Personalised startup matches
With the help of our good friends from Dealum, we will find the most relevant startup matches based on each investor’s profile. This means that investors will get a list of hand-selected startups that meet their requirements, making it even easier to meet the right startup.
Visibility at sTARTUp Day website
All validated startups and the biggest VC funds will be featured on the sTARTUp Day website.