This divide highlights a growing tension between traditional structures and emerging business models. And the numbers back it up.

A recent study by Global Workplace Analytics estimates that businesses can save up to $11,000 per employee per year by allowing remote work at least two to three days a week. On the employee side, Owl Labs reports that hybrid workers save an average of $42 per day when working remotely, reducing personal expenses and improving work-life balance. In addition to lowering overheads, startups benefit from accessing global talent pools and maintaining operational flexibility in uncertain markets.

Estonian startup grows through distributed teams

Estonia-based PRNEWS.IO is one startup leaning into this model – and scaling with it. The content marketing platform, founded in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, employs professionals across Estonia, Ukraine, Armenia, Poland, Kazakhstan, Belgium, and the US, combining office spaces in Tallinn and Mykolaiv with fully remote roles.

In 2024 alone, the startup grew its team by 35%, onboarding professionals from multiple time zones and backgrounds. Today, 37% of its workforce is fully remote. This approach isn’t just about headcount, it’s about reaching new markets efficiently. The company reported €5.2 million in revenue last year, marking a 30% year-over-year increase – three times faster than the average industry growth rate.

We believe in nurturing talent and providing opportunities to kick-start careers in a remote work environment. Remote staffing is changing the game for businesses, and we are aligning our operations to support that shift.

Hiring beyond borders = faster innovation

Distributed teams aren't just cost-effective – they’re often more productive. Buffer’s State of Remote Work report found that 74% of respondents work in companies operating across multiple time zones, while 62% regularly collaborate with colleagues located elsewhere. This setup encourages asynchronous communication, independent problem-solving, and deeper focus – qualities that benefit lean startups working under time and resource constraints.

For developers like Yerkebulan Kenzhebek, a front-end engineer from Kazakhstan working with PRNEWS.IO, this model brings freedom and challenge. “Every project brings new opportunities to learn and improve. Our team is a collaborative group of professionals, each bringing unique expertise. What I value most is the mutual respect and autonomy.”

Bootstrapped – and sustainable

Startups often face pressure to grow fast, raise capital, and scale operations. But many in Central and Eastern Europe are rewriting that playbook. According to the State of European Tech study, 31% of CEE unicorns were built without venture capital – five times the rate of the rest of Europe. Estonia, in particular, leads in startup density per capita and boasts a tech ecosystem built on lean operations and digital infrastructure.

PRNEWS.IO is part of that narrative. Entirely bootstrapped and profitable, the company contributed over €375,000 in taxes in Estonia last year and plans to increase salaries and grow its team again in 2025, with projected tax contributions rising by 50%.

Remote is no longer a perk – it's a strategy

While corporate giants debate hybrid schedules and office perks, startups are showing that distributed work isn’t a concession; it’s a competitive advantage. With lower costs, broader access to talent, and greater adaptability, remote-first startups are building scalable, resilient companies on their own terms.

For early-stage founders, the lesson is clear: where you hire may matter less than how you work. And those willing to challenge conventional structures may find themselves better equipped for whatever comes next.

For more startup news, check out the other articles on the website, and subscribe to the magazine for free. Listen to The Cereal Entrepreneur podcast for more interviews with entrepreneurs and big-hitters in the startup ecosystem.