A complete of 465 startups from 53 international locations throughout 5 continents have submitted functions for this yr’s Latitude59 startup competitors, scheduled for Could in Tallinn, Estonia.
Africa accounts for 70 of these functions, greater than double final yr’s quantity. Kenya emerges because the continent’s frontrunner, recording 40 functions in comparison with 16 beforehand.
“This yr, sturdy groups from 5 continents and 53 international locations competed for the funding. The jury is not going to have a straightforward job, however our buyers are extremely motivated to rigorously assess all candidates. Probably the most promising startups will get the possibility to shine on the Latitude59 major stage in lower than a month, and I’m assured that new success tales that can form the way forward for know-how will start right here,” Latitude59 CEO Liisi Org mentioned.
The competitors’s grand prize pool has risen by €100,000, now standing at over €400,000.
Funding contributions embody as much as €200,000 from the Estonian Enterprise Angels Community EstBAN, as much as €100,000 from the Latvian Enterprise Angels Community LatBAN, and extra backing from the Finnish Enterprise Angels Community FiBAN, which represents Nordic buyers. Lithuania-based FIRSTPICK VC may even make investments as much as €100,000.
Org added that additional updates on the prize fund and extra awards can be revealed quickly.
Latitude59 is ready to host its most globally various startup competitors but, in accordance with Head of Startup and Investor Relations Krista Meinarde.
“Final yr, we had candidates from 48 international locations. This yr, 53 international locations are represented, making the applicant pool extra various than ever. We’ve got additionally seen exceptional progress from Africa, with 70 African startups making use of this yr, which is greater than twice as many as final yr,” mentioned Meinarde.
Fifteen standout startups can be chosen for the semi-finals, the place they’ll obtain hands-on mentoring and coaching earlier than the ultimate winners are introduced on 22 Could on the Latitude59 major stage.
The 2026 version of Latitude59 will happen from 20–22 Could at Kultuurikatel in Tallinn. Below the theme The World Village Experiment, the occasion will discover how innovation strengthens when ecosystems intersect. Organizers intention to collect founders and ecosystem builders from over 70 international locations, reinforcing Tallinn’s position as a gateway to the New Nordic
Go to TECHTRENDSKE.co.ke for extra tech and enterprise information from the African continent and internationally.
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