attracting and retaining startup founders and employees ... · startup special regulation •...
TRANSCRIPT
Co-funded bythe European Union
Attracting and retaining startup founders and employees:The case of Estonia
Dr Ave Lauren
EMN Estonia/Tallinn University
Co-funded bythe European Union
Overview
• Estonian context
– Demographicchallenges
– Reinventing Estonia
• Startup regulation
• Attraction and retention measures
Co-funded bythe European Union
Demographic challenges
• Ageing population
• Emigration
• Skills and jobsmismatch
Co-funded bythe European Union
Reinventing Estonia
• Tiigrihüpe/Tiger’s Leap
• e-Estonia brand
Co-funded bythe European Union
Startup special regulation
• Startup visa and residence permit launched in 2017.
– Business entity belonging to a company registered in Estonia, which is starting activity with the purpose to develop and launch such a business model with high global growth potential, innovative and replicable that shall significantly contribute to the development of the Estonian business environment.
• Expert committee of startup leaders evaluates the the companies’ compatibility with the startup definition (10 days)
• Visa up to 548 days, temporary residence permit up to 5 years (extended up to 10 years)
• Founders AND employees
Co-funded bythe European Union
Startup special regulation
• Preferential treatment:
– Exemption from the immigration quota
– Exemption from investment requirements
– Exemption from salary requirements
– Exemption from the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s permission
– The individual may also bring their family to Estonia
– Even if startup fails, but the person has been in Estonia for 3 years, the possibility to renew a temporaryresidence permit
Co-funded bythe European Union
Co-funded bythe European Union
Co-funded bythe European Union
Attraction and retention
• Startup scheme aligns with mainstream pro-businesspolicies…
– Easy to start a business via e-Business register (3hrs)
– Business friendly tax policy
– Easy to declare taxes (3-5min)
• … and with the e-Estonia brand and PR activities.
– e-Residency
Co-funded bythe European Union
Startup Ecosystem
• Startup Estonia
• Funding available
• Active startup community:– Growing number of incubators,
accelerators, mentors, events, co-working/co-living spaces …
– #estonianmafia
– Interest to link with TCNs tolearn about and access newmarkets
