7 October, 2020
In this episode we explored how smaller countries can become centers of innovation, with a particular emphasis on Estonia. Our guide was be Taavi Rõivas, member of the Estonian parliament and prime minister from 2014-2016.
Amid the pandemic and technology disruption, large countries and political blocks are struggling to adapt. Brussels takes a central planning approach to innovation. The Chinese government is growing more oppressive, and is increasing its control over Chinese businesses. The United States struggles with political division and increasing government interference.
In contrast, Estonia has embraced free markets, digital disruption, and open trade. In just two decades, it has gone from a former Soviet Republic to ranking #10 on the Index of Economic Freedom, higher than the United States. Estonian startups like Skype, Transferwise, Jobbatical, and Pipedrive have caught the attention of investors around the world. The government’s own operations are as modern as you will find them anywhere. Voting takes place over the Internet. Foreigners can register as digital residents and use Estonia as a business platform.
How did Estonia’s amazing transformation happen, and what can other countries learn from it? What opportunities does Estonia offer founders, corporations, and investors?
We discussed:
- Estonia’s history and culture
- Her embrace of economic freedom
- Digitalization of government operations
- Estonia’s pioneering e-residencies
- How Digital Estonia handled the pandemic
- Estonia as a platform for innovation
- What other countries can learn from Estonia
- Opportunities for investors and corporates
- Estonia in the future
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