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Editor’s Note: The coordinated investment from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania’s leading angel networks at Latitude59 signals growing maturity and regional cohesion in the Baltic startup ecosystem. For professionals in cybersecurity, information governance, and eDiscovery, this trend underscores the importance of monitoring emerging tech hubs beyond traditional centers like Silicon Valley. The pan-Baltic approach could unlock novel solutions and partnerships, especially in fields that benefit from early-stage innovation. This article highlights the structure, scale, and strategic vision behind the Latitude59 Pitch Competition, offering insights into how regional collaboration can support global entrepreneurship.

ComplexDiscovery OÜ is pleased to announce its attendance at Latitude59 in Tallinn this May. As the Baltic region’s leading startup and technology event, Latitude59 offers a dynamic platform for innovation, investment, and collaboration. We look forward to connecting with global startups, investors, and industry professionals from May 21–23, 2025.

Industry News – Investment Beat

Baltic Startup Scene Gains Boost with Unified Pitch Competition Investment

ComplexDiscovery Staff

For the first time, business angel networks from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania will join forces to invest up to €500,000 in the winner of the Latitude59 Pitch Competition, set to take place this May in Tallinn.

EstBAN, LatBAN, and LitBAN—representing Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania respectively—will syndicate the investment as part of the event’s expanded focus on cross-border collaboration. The move underscores a broader regional effort to strengthen ties in the Baltic startup ecosystem.

Latitude59 CEO Liisi Org highlighted the importance of the development. “The willingness of investors from neighboring countries to invest in the Latitude59 competition winners is significant. It shows that our traditional pitching competition has grown into the region’s most prestigious and reliable platform where success stories for both founders and investors are born,” said Org.

In recent years, the competition has helped launch startups such as AskToSell, Flowstep, and ÄIO, which together secured nearly €2 million in investment through the event. “We will maintain the high standard this year as well,” Org assured.

Org also hinted at further enhancements to the competition. “More good news regarding the competition’s prize fund will be announced soon,” she added.

Stronger Together

EstBAN’s Managing Director Karin Künnapas framed the collaboration as a reflection of long-standing cooperation.

“We are three small but technologically innovative countries. In recent years, several well-known billion-euro companies have emerged from the Baltics, and our startup ecosystem and investment landscape are at the forefront globally. The Estonian Business Angels Network has been collaborating with our Latvian and Lithuanian colleagues for several years, and the fact that this year we have achieved a joint investment demonstrates that our goal — to work more closely together, on a larger scale, and with stronger connections — has been realized,” said Künnapas.

She emphasized the value of shared insight. “We can bring the best Baltic startups to investors,” she said. “I am excited to see what joint investments and pan-Baltic startups will emerge from our region.”

New Era for Baltic Startup Investment

From Lithuania, LitBAN Managing Director Roberta Rudokienė described the partnership as a landmark moment.

“By joining forces with EstBAN and LatBAN for the Latitude59 pitch competition, we are creating a stronger, more interconnected investment ecosystem that goes beyond borders. For startups, this is an incredible opportunity to gain not just funding but access to a network of experienced angels across the region. We’re excited to see the best early-stage innovators take the stage and look forward to backing the next big success story,” stated Rudokienė.

LatBAN’s Managing Director Emīls Kragis echoed the sentiment. “For years, we’ve spoken about the importance of cross-border cooperation in the Baltic startup ecosystem, and now we have the perfect opportunity to demonstrate it in action. LatBAN has worked closely with EstBAN and LitBAN on various initiatives, and this joint collaborative investment for Latitude59 pitching competition is a milestone moment. We hope this will serve as a blueprint for even greater cross-border investment opportunities in the future,” said Kragis.

Competition Opens to Global Founders

Latitude59’s 2025 Pitch Competition is open to early-stage startups from around the world. Organizers are seeking teams with a clear mission, scalable business models, and either functional products with proven traction or strong market feedback.

Applications are open until April 5, 2025. From those submitted, 30 semifinalists will be selected for professional pitch training and mentoring. These teams will compete throughout May, with the Top 5 advancing to the finals on May 23 to pitch on the event’s main stage.

In 2024, Latitude59 received 526 applications from 53 countries. This year’s edition is expected to attract even more global interest as the competition expands its regional reach.

Event Overview

Latitude59 2025 will be held from May 21 to 23 in Tallinn. Recognized as the most international and impactful startup and technology event in the Baltic States and New Nordics, the conference brings together founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders from around the world.

Last year’s event welcomed over 3,500 attendees, including 900+ startup representatives and 700+ investors. Of the 195 featured speakers, 40% were women, and participants represented 65 countries.

More Than a Stage

Beyond funding, the Latitude59 Pitch Competition offers exposure to a curated audience of investors and industry professionals, as well as opportunities for follow-on investment and partnership.

With Baltic business angel networks investing collectively and intentionally, the competition’s winners gain a gateway into a broader, more connected regional ecosystem—one built on trust, experience, and a shared ambition to build the next wave of global tech successes.

News Sources

Additional Reading

Source: ComplexDiscovery OÜ

The post Baltic Startup Scene Gains Boost with Unified Pitch Competition Investment appeared first on ComplexDiscovery.

Photo of Alan N. Sutin Alan N. Sutin

Alan N. Sutin is Chair of the firm’s Technology, Media & Telecommunications Practice and Senior Chair of the Global Intellectual Property & Technology Practice. An experienced business lawyer with a principal focus on commercial transactions with intellectual property and technology issues and privacy

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Alan N. Sutin is Chair of the firm’s Technology, Media & Telecommunications Practice and Senior Chair of the Global Intellectual Property & Technology Practice. An experienced business lawyer with a principal focus on commercial transactions with intellectual property and technology issues and privacy and cybersecurity matters, he advises clients in connection with transactions involving the development, acquisition, disposition and commercial exploitation of intellectual property with an emphasis on technology-related products and services, and counsels companies on a wide range of issues relating to privacy and cybersecurity. Alan holds the CIPP/US certification from the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

Alan also represents a wide variety of companies in connection with IT and business process outsourcing arrangements, strategic alliance agreements, commercial joint ventures and licensing matters. He has particular experience in Internet and electronic commerce issues and has been involved in many of the major policy issues surrounding the commercial development of the Internet. Alan has advised foreign governments and multinational corporations in connection with these issues and is a frequent speaker at major industry conferences and events around the world.

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