Startups will compete for an investment of up to one million euros and the top 40 have now been selected. According to investors, the filter to enter the top 40 was particularly tight this year and 80% of all the participating companies could boldly raise investments right away. “There is no reason to believe that no future unicorns participated in this year’s competition. As a result, the final decision will be difficult and several winners cannot be ruled out,” explained Riivo Anton, a Lead Investor from Specialist VC.

The final selection includes many health and deep tech companies, but industry-wise, AI is still booming. 

“More and more companies stand out where the high-potential business model is based on long-term research. At the same time, most companies see an opportunity in AI. And there were also those for whom it seemed that AI was mentioned just in case, as if it should magically make the idea more innovative,” said Triin Ilves, Head of Startup Relations at Latitude59.

AI’s strong presence was expected by investors, but it is pleasing to witness that deep science offers serious competition. “It is natural that the development and application of artificial intelligence is seen as a great business opportunity. But there were also impactful startups from the field of deep science-intensive and health technologies such as biotechnologies and medicine. Developers of innovative energy solutions, and products and services that support energy saving and the green revolution in general were also pleasant to see,” explained Heidi Kakko, one of EstBAN’s Lead Investors.

Most of the startups in the top 40 are founded in Estonia, but the group of founders who passed to the next round is much more diverse – there are founders from Ukraine, Finland, Italy, Slovakia, Kenya and the United States.

An investment of up to one million euros will be offered at Latitude59’s Pitch Competition for the second year in a row, this time in cooperation with Specialist VC and the Estonian Business Angels Network EstBAN. “We wish success to all the teams in the top 40, and lots of patience to jury and investors. Their work will be unprecedentedly difficult, but this also comes with a bright side – it means that our startups are truly impactful and their ideas can make a real difference in the world,” said Liisi Org, the CEO of Latitude59. 

Join the online pre-finals - from April 29 - May 3, 2024

The week of online pre-finals for the L59 Pitch Competition will take off at 14:00 on April 29, 2024. We’ll go live on Linkedin and Youtube every day from Monday to Friday (with the exception of May 1 – enjoy the international day of holidays!), presenting 10 teams per day. By the end of the week, just 10 founders will remain standing, and only 5 will get a chance to pitch one more time for €1M – at the finals, on May 24 in Kultuurikatel, during the closing ceremony of Latitude59 2024!

About Latitude59

Latitude59 2024 is taking place on May 22-24 at Kultuurikatel in Tallinn, Estonia. This year, nearly 3,000 participants, including 800 startup representatives and 500 investors from around the world, are expected to attend the event. An investment of up to one million euros will be offered at Latitude59’s Pitch Competition for the second year in a row, this time in cooperation with Specialist VC and the Estonian Business Angels Network EstBAN.