InfiBird Knowledge Base - Career, Work, Education, Business in Estonia

According to the founders of The Brick Coffee, Henry Politanov, Jan Kulbin, and Märten Kuusemets, people often buy coffee randomly, unlike, for example, wine, where consumers are more informed. The goal of their company is precisely to raise people's awareness, emphasizing that there is a difference in coffee. They focus on simple, basic coffee, not flavored or "fancy" products. Brick Coffee aims through its business model to contribute to a fairer coffee industry globally, which reduces exploitation of both farmers and the land. Smaller players in the food and beverage sector have generally been good educators of consumers, helping people to appreciate product nuances, similar to how the craft beer boom occurred (now distinguishing IPA from lager) or how wine is no longer just red or white, and cheese not just a slice on bread. Locally roasted coffee could be the next beverage industry triumph for conscious consumers. They buy coffee beans primarily through direct trad...

It is emphasized that AI itself is not the solution that will automatically eliminate the Friday workday. Instead, the outcome depends on conscious management and the goal-setting for AI . Although AI can automate and is predicted to save significant hours for specialists, its real value depends on the competence of managers and employees. Leaders have a critical role in directing the use of AI to achieve real business benefits by understanding the nature of quality work. The example of Ernst & Young illustrates how AI helped reduce analysis time by 18% without losing quality, thanks to clear goals and processes. The potential of the four-day workweek is supported by international experience, such as the UK trial where most participants continued with the new arrangement. The shorter week led to increased productivity through improved focus, fewer meetings, and more goal-oriented work, while employee well-being also increased, and stress and staff turnover decreased. Some companie...

Near the city of Lappeenranta in Southern Finland, plans are underway to construct a large-scale data center with an energy consumption that will be six times greater than that of Estonia's largest industrial consumer, Estonian Cell. The city of Lappeenranta and the Finnish company Polarnode have signed a one-billion-euro agreement regarding this project. The planned data center will require up to 150 megawatts of electricity, whereas Estonian Cell uses approximately 25 megawatts. The center is slated for construction in Pajarila, near Lappeenranta, where the city has allocated a 32-hectare area for this purpose. Mikko Toivanen, the head of Polarnode, explained that Lappeenranta was chosen due to the sufficient available capacity in the electricity grid, which allows for a quick start to construction and flexible further development. According to Toivanen, Lappeenranta has a significant reserve of electrical power that can be utilized within a short timeframe, thereby acceleratin...

Two Estonian Companies in Prestigious List. Time Magazine Ranked the World's Most Important Fighters Against Climate Change. Time Magazine, in collaboration with Statista, ranked 250 companies worldwide that are actively engaged in fighting climate change, with the goal of saving planet Earth. Among them are also represented two Estonian companies. To stop the impact of climate change, these companies employ various innovative approaches, such as artificial intelligence, mealworms, space technology, and carbon capture. A recent analysis by TIME magazine and data analytics firm Statista highlights the world's leading green technology companies and the diversity of organizations striving to combat climate change. It also points out the positive feedback they have received from both investors and clients. The analysis assessed the environmental impact, financial strength, and innovation of over 8,000 companies. All these firms are developing products, services, or technologies...

Estonian leading business and software development company Net Group is expanding to Germany. With this step, the company is acquiring a technology company operating in Germany that specializes in providing cybersecurity solutions for both the private and public sectors. This transaction secures Net Group's position in Germany and adds cybersecurity consulting to their range of Estonian services, in addition to business and software development. Specifically, Net Group acquired Cloud Ahoi GmbH, a cybersecurity company founded in 2021, which originated from Volkswagen's software development team and remains their strategic partner. According to Net Group's CEO Priit Kongo, this transaction is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it increases their capacity to offer cybersecurity services. Secondly, Germany is Estonia's largest export market, which provides Net Group with a unique opportunity to export valuable knowledge from Estonia to Germany in both the private ...

The newest generation autonomous vehicle MiCa, developed by the Estonian company Auve Tech, started its operation in the United States, in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida, last night, 16.04.25, according to Estonian time . MiCa has been issued United States license plates and permission to travel on a 1.5-kilometer public road section . West Palm Beach is proud to be the location for this initial phase, which demonstrates innovative solutions to transportation challenges, commented Jessica Keller, West Palm Beach's Transportation and Mobility Director. Driverless vehicles manufactured in Estonia are already a common sight in Japan, and increasingly in Europe and the Middle East. Entering the United States market is a significant step for both our company and the entire Estonian automotive industry, stated Auve Tech's founder Väino Kaldoja. Kaldoja pointed out an interesting coincidence that the first operation is taking place just a few kilometers away from the residence of...

The article discusses the current state and future prospects of Estonia's e-government system , highlighting the concerns of leading IT experts about its sustainability. According to Andres Birnbaum, CEO of CGI Estonia, the state's IT costs have significantly increased , reaching over 250 million euros annually. The main reason for this is the explosive growth in the number of employees in state IT agencies (TEHIK, SMIT, RIA, etc.) , which has doubled compared to 2019 and now exceeds the number of employees in similar private sector companies. Birnbaum estimates that the upkeep costs of IT agencies alone amount to about 100 million euros of the e-state's total annual expenditure. Originally created as a link between the заказчик ( заказчик) and service provider, these IT agencies have become the primary service providers, which means that ministries lack freedom of choice and competition has decreased , thereby affecting quality and the speed of developments. Officials th...

The sharp drop in world market oil prices due to tariffs imposed by the USA is not immediately noticeable in fuel prices at Estonian gas stations. Alexela's business development manager, Tarmo Kärsna, explains that this is due to the three-day average price calculation mechanism used by Estonian fuel sellers. This means that even with an immediate price decrease, the final price is still affected by the higher prices of the previous two days. In addition to the world market price and the three-day average, fuel prices are also influenced by the dollar exchange rate, refinery margins, logistics costs, the price of the biofuel component, and taxes , which make up a large part of the final price (60-65%). The retailer's margin, which is fixed in cents rather than percentages, is also important. Therefore, a simple direct correlation between the world market price and the pump price is not easily found. The majority (80%) of the fuel sold in Estonia comes from the Mažeikiai ref...

Delfi Ärileht addresses the issue where many people who have left the second pillar of the Estonian pension system want to start contributing again, but the current 10-year restriction prevents this . A survey conducted among Tuleva Funds AS members revealed that a significant portion of those who had withdrawn their funds consider this restriction unfair. The Minister of Finance Jürgen Ligi proposed shortening the restriction period, and although it is not mentioned in the new government's coalition agreement, it is hoped that the proposal will be discussed during coalition negotiations. Currently, individuals who have withdrawn money from the second pillar can only rejoin after 10 years, but a reduction of this period to five years is being considered. According to a survey among Tuleva members who had withdrawn their funds, the majority support shortening the rejoining period, citing three main reasons. Firstly, people should have the freedom to decide what to do with their m...

  Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transitioning from a theoretical concept to a tangible force across various sectors, and education is no exception. The integration of AI in educational institutions presents a plethora of opportunities to enhance teaching, learning, and administration. However, this technological evolution is not without its risks and challenges that need careful consideration. Drawing upon insights from recent studies, this article explores the potential benefits and drawbacks of embracing AI in today's educational landscape. One of the primary opportunities AI offers is the personalization of learning experiences . AI-powered systems can analyze student performance and learning patterns to tailor content and pace to individual needs. This adaptive learning approach can potentially improve student outcomes and engagement by addressing specific learning gaps and providing customized support. Furthermore, AI can assist educators in creating more engaging ...

  Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic fantasy but a rapidly evolving reality poised to reshape industries and workplaces. From automating tasks to providing insightful analytics, the potential benefits of AI are immense. However, the path to seamless AI integration is fraught with obstacles that organizations must navigate carefully. Drawing on recent research, this article delves into the key hindrances that impede the widespread and effective adoption of AI. One of the most significant challenges is the lack of necessary digital competencies and skilled labor within organizations. As Gallardo-Gallardo and Collings (2021) note, technological changes are accelerating, rendering once-crucial skills obsolete and demanding new competencies for tomorrow's jobs. Shamim et al. (2016) further emphasize the scarcity of skilled labor for Industry 4.0, underscoring the critical need to understand and cultivate digital competencies. This skills gap affects not only the t...

The position of Secretary of State has been the easiest job to come by in my career, says Taimar Peterkop. When the then Prime Minister Jüri Ratas offered him the position, Peterkop had to ask his wife before giving an answer. Taimar Peterkop grew as a leader in the Ministry of Defence and led the Information System Authority before becoming Secretary of State. In the summer, Peterkop talked about his journey and experiences as a leader on the show "Leader Talks." Here are some interesting thoughts from that conversation. "I have been a top executive for the last 14 years and have seen the growing importance of people during this time. In my previous job, I led the Information System Authority, which has many IT people who are more educated, more intelligent, and have bigger egos than average. This showed how much focus needs to be on the individual to lead such people. The State Chancellery is also an organization with very dedicated and smart people. We need to value p...

  The Estonian egg producer Dava Foods, whose parent company is based in Denmark, managed to maintain almost the same revenue and profit as the previous year, despite competing with cheap eggs from foreign competitors. In 2024, the company earned a revenue of 11.8 million euros, which decreased by only 4% compared to the previous year. The profit remained at 1.08 million euros, the same as the previous year. Last year, Dava Foods invested over 2 million euros in establishing a farm for free-range hens. The company usually operates with 300,000 caged birds, but the new farm added 50,000 free-range hens. About 55% of the eggs sold in Estonia are produced locally, while the rest are imported from countries where egg production is cheaper, keeping the price of eggs in Estonia lower. Although Estonian egg producers are moving from caged hens to free-range hens, Dava Foods' CEO Allan Tohver explained that there is no point in increasing egg production in Estonia, as it is not profitable....

Strong Growth and Diversified Portfolio Attract Investors Ignitis Group, a leading energy company in the Baltics, stands out due to its strong growth story, diversified portfolio, and solid dividend policy. Listed on the Vilnius Stock Exchange, the company has doubled its adjusted EBITDA and increased its renewable energy portfolio fivefold since its IPO, while ensuring an attractive dividend yield. Aine Riffel-Grinkevičienė, Head of Investor Relations at Ignitis Group, explains the reasons behind the company's success and what investors can expect in the coming years. Strategic Focus on Renewable Energy and Grid Expansion Through long-term work and a well-thought-out strategy, Ignitis Group has built a strong competitive advantage. As a future-oriented energy producer, Ignitis places great emphasis on the rapid growth of its renewable energy portfolio and electricity grid. Currently, the Lithuanian energy giant has 1.4 GW of installed renewable energy capacity, with plans to inc...

  The article discusses the Estonian government's new tax plans and their potential impact on the economy. The author points out that the government's fear of mentioning an economic downturn is understandable, as their own policies may lead to zero economic growth. There are plans to enact new taxes totaling over 800 million euros, and in at least one case, it is still unclear how this will be possible. The article refers to Prime Minister Kristen Michal and Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi's criticism of Peeter Raudsepp, the director of the Estonian Institute of Economic Research, because the government fears that negative economic forecasts could themselves worsen the economy. However, it is noted that the messages of one small institute may not significantly affect the entire economy, but it could be a sign of how close we are to "talking down" the economy. At the time of writing, the economic situation still appeared to be on an upward trend, with various inst...

  The article discusses Estonia's economic prospects and growth potential, especially in the long term after the recent economic downturn. The article asks how quickly the Estonian economy could recover, particularly considering the potential non-recovery of the logistics and transit sector to its previous level. Experts from the Ministry of Finance warned in the autumn that Estonia's long-term potential economic growth may have slowed down by half. While before the coronavirus crisis, about 3% economic growth was considered normal, current estimates put the potential growth for the coming years in the range of 1-2%. This is reduced due to the expected low contribution of total factor productivity. The economy's growth potential is difficult to measure precisely, but the emergence of such a trend is worrying for several important reasons. Firstly, it shows whether and how quickly Estonia will catch up with Central European countries from its current level. Luminor analy...

The article discusses the need to change European Union competition rules because Europe's competitiveness is declining in the global market. Current rules are primarily focused on protecting consumers, but now it is being considered whether they adequately support the growth of European companies and their global competition. For example, it was highlighted how the European Commission prohibited the merger of steel producers Thyssenkrupp and Tata Steel in 2019, which was intended to protect against cheap Chinese steel. Now, both companies are facing difficulties, which has triggered a discussion on how EU competition rules could better support industrial policy. Several influential figures, such as Friedrich Merz and Mario Draghi, have emphasized the need to change the merger control procedure to promote the emergence of strong European companies and accelerate innovation. Draghi has warned that if Europe does not change its approach, it could lose its position in the global eco...