Foreign Founders Meetup: Legal Landscape for Founders in Estonia
Thursday 16. October at 17:30 - 21:00
Tehnopol Startup Incubator, 3rd floor, Tallinn
Hey, foreign founder – this event series is for you!
Building a startup is exciting, and we’re glad you’re doing it here in Estonia. You’re not alone on this journey — we want you to feel at home and in a place where your company can truly thrive.
We’re kicking off the series by exploring the Estonian legal landscape — giving you the knowledge and confidence to build your company on solid ground. In one evening, you’ll get practical insights every founder should master and learn how to avoid mistakes that cost time, money, and peace of mind.
Here’s what we’ve planned:
We’ll start with an insightful workshop: “Top 5 Legal Traps Foreign Founders Face in Estonia.” Learn how to navigate Estonia’s legal system like a pro — from founding documents and shareholder agreements to employment contracts and residency status. The workshop will be led by Martin Nikolajev from Widen, an experienced legal expert who has helped countless founders get it right from day one.
After a quick break, it’s time for our real talk panel: “Lessons Learned – How to Build Legally Strong in Estonia.” Hear first-hand from a lawyer, a fellow founder, and an e-Residency representative about what works, what doesn’t, and the most common mistakes to avoid.
Speakers: Martin Nikolajev (Widen), Sercan Altundas (Neocortex)
Moderator: Rannar Park.
We’ll wrap up the night with plenty of time for networking — meet both international and local founders, swap stories, and connect with experts who can help you move forward faster.
Meet the speakers:
Martin Nikolajev is a corporate lawyer focused on M&A, helping Estonian and international clients build legally strong businesses. He turns complex legal issues into clear, practical advice — from company setup to investments and exits.
Sercan Altundas has lived in Estonia for nine years. He’s the creator of Ready Player Me and now leads Neocortex, part of the Tehnopol AI Accelerator, building conversational AI for smart NPCs and virtual assistants in games and virtual worlds.
Rannar Park leads business management at the e-Estonia Briefing Centre, helping founders and state partners connect, collaborate, and spark cross-border innovation. He’s passionate about digitalisation and showcasing Estonia’s startup-friendly ecosystem to the world.
Agenda
17:30–18:00 Arrivals, snacks & drinks
18:00–18:50 Workshop by Martin Nikolajev: Top 5 Legal Traps Foreign Founders Face in Estonia
18:50–19:00 Break (your brain earned this one!)
19:00–19:30 Panel discussion: Lessons Learned – How to Build Legally Strong in Estonia
19:30–21:00 Networking
📅 Date: October 16, 2025
📍 Location: Tehnopol Startup Incubator, 3rd floor, Tallinn
Join us!
Get clear, practical answers to your legal questions, meet people who can support your growth, and feel at home in Estonia’s startup scene.
💡 Register now to secure your spot — it’s FREE!
The event will be held in English.
🔗 Check out what the Foreign Founders Meetup series is all about here.
Foreign Founders Meetup is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Tehnopol Startup Incubator, 3rd floor • Mäealuse 2/4, A korpus, 12618 Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia
