> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://fomo.observer/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Nominations are open for Estonian Startup Awards 2026 - URL: https://fomo.observer/nominations-are-open-for-estonian-startup-awards-2026/ - Published: 2026-11-11T06:36:35.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-11T06:36:35.000Z - Author: Fiona Alston - Tags: News, Startup Awards It's time to pull your (woollen) thinking cap on and pick your 'best of 2026' for the next [Estonian Startup Awards](https://lift99.co/estonian-startup-awards?ref=fomo.observer). Nominations have opened for the coveted awards that reflect on the Estonian startup ecosystem’s brilliance over the past year. This years we've had unicorns, soonicorns, teenagers building, seasoned players giving back and a good sprinkling of representing Estonia on a global scale. With no less than ten categories to choose from, you can be sure you’ll squeeze your favourite nominee in somewhere. The eighth iteration of the awards, organised by the Estonian Founders Society, Startup Estonia and LIFT99, will be presented at a gala on 11 February 2027\. The winners will be chosen from the shortlisted nominees by over 200 Estonian startup founders. ### The categories The four main categories of the Estonian Startup Awards 2026 are The Founder of the Year, The Investor of the Year, The Newcomer of 2026 and The Giving Back Powerhouse. This year, six awards will be presented in special categories: The Hardware of 2026, The DeepTech of 2026, The AI Game Changer of 2026, The DefenceTech of 2026, The NextGen Founder and The Impact Visionary. The Impact Visionary Award will be presented for the second consecutive year, while the NextGen Founder Award is a new addition, recognising an outstanding young founder from the next generation of entrepreneurs. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/08/7f/087f88ab-cb17-44cc-928d-9cfca14a3fb9/content/images/2026/11/Visualency-170.jpg) > “Just a few years ago, the focus of Estonia’s startup scene was largely on fintech and software-as-a-service (SaaS). Today, we are seeing major breakthroughs in defence technology, deep tech and artificial intelligence, and this year’s award categories reflect this shift.” said Elise Sass, co-founder of LIFT99\. “The more people take part in the nomination process, the clearer picture we get of what is happening in Estonia’s startup ecosystem. Now is the perfect time to look back at the achievements of 2026 and bring outstanding people and companies into the spotlight.” ### Read about some of the past winners Incidentally, the awards will also mark a full year of Fomo.Observer. The publication was launched at the 2025 awards gala with an exclusive interview with Founder of the Year 2025 Kaarel Kotkas CEO of Veriff. The company also won Revenue Hack of the Year and FinTech Startup of the Year. [The farm boy who aims to become the world’s digital sheriffFounder of the Year, Kaarel Kotkas built Veriff on a simple island mantra. From feeding cows on the island of Hiiumaa in winter to securing global transactions for the likes of Uber.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/08/7f/087f88ab-cb17-44cc-928d-9cfca14a3fb9/content/images/icon/Untitled--800-x-800-px-Video---1--7d347749-6db5-4479-8aec-03f7f1cba1b4.gif)Fomo.ObserverFiona Alston![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/08/7f/087f88ab-cb17-44cc-928d-9cfca14a3fb9/content/images/thumbnail/Kaarel_Kotkas_Veriff3_by__RENE-LUTTERUS-da182902-7e0f-45c3-ab62-1b60b972e8b8.jpg)](https://fomo.observer/the-farm-boy-who-aims-to-become-the/) Muun Health won HealthTech Startup of the Year 2025 [Doctor-founder plays the long game to shorten hormone testingAt the 2025 Startup Awards, Muun Health took home the HealthTech of the Year Award. The company is busy creating a wearable continuous hormone monitor in a research lab at Tallinn’s TalTech University. I caught up with CEO and co-founder Kerli Luks about how the deeptech is coming![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/08/7f/087f88ab-cb17-44cc-928d-9cfca14a3fb9/content/images/icon/Untitled--800-x-800-px-Video---1--5795c9a3-169f-48b1-8888-ce4b82a52d75.gif)Fomo.ObserverFiona Alston![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/08/7f/087f88ab-cb17-44cc-928d-9cfca14a3fb9/content/images/thumbnail/502470074_1121833933318183_3964604888897158690_n-686582b5-db13-448c-b2f5-89dfd47f0f78.jpg)](https://fomo.observer/doctor-founder-plays-the-long-game-to-shorten-hormone-testing/) DeepTech Startup of the Year 2025 winner Skeleton Technologies became a unicorn this year, thanks to a US deal. [Skeleton Technologies becomes Estonia's latest unicornIt appears that Estonia has a new unicorn...and its deeptech! The coveted title goes to supercapacitor and energy storage firm Skeleton Technologies. Its status has been raised due to a strategic investment from Siemens. Now valued at over $1 billion, Lift99 will have to get the glue gun out![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/08/7f/087f88ab-cb17-44cc-928d-9cfca14a3fb9/content/images/icon/Untitled--800-x-800-px-Video---1--9efadcfe-9bf0-446d-ba8e-ee5fb50eb93b.gif)Fomo.ObserverFiona Alston![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/08/7f/087f88ab-cb17-44cc-928d-9cfca14a3fb9/content/images/thumbnail/siemens-investment-1a6ed9b7-c392-4030-977d-b9ae99bfab40.webp)](https://fomo.observer/skeleton-technologies-becomes-estonias-latest-unicorn/) ALPA Kids took home the Impact Visionary of the Year 2025 award. [Kolm Eesti edtechi, kolm teed liivakastist maailmaMadle Timm TALLINN – ALPA Kids õpetab lapsi enam kui 170 riigis, 99math on jõudnud miljonite USA koolilasteni ning DreamApply aitab 300 ülikoolil tudengeid vastu võtta. Kolm väga erinevat Eesti edtech-ettevõtet on jõudnud üsna sarnase järelduseni: Eesti on hea koht, kus toodet katsetada, aga kasvamiseks tuleb üsna kiiresti piiri taha![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/08/7f/087f88ab-cb17-44cc-928d-9cfca14a3fb9/content/images/icon/Untitled--800-x-800-px-Video---1--5ff6e00e-7ce5-432b-a49d-f1edd7f80338.gif)Fomo.Observer![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/08/7f/087f88ab-cb17-44cc-928d-9cfca14a3fb9/content/images/thumbnail/Copy-of-_Y1A8441-f0edb0da-0c1b-4fbb-bcba-e398a3f1272e.jpg)](https://fomo.observer/kolm-eesti-edtechi-kolm-teed-liivakastist-maailma/) ### Nomination details Need some inspiration on who to nominate? Check out our [founders' interviews](https://fomo.observer/tag/founders/) with some of Estonia’s ecosystem players. Nominations are open until 13 December 2026\. You can submit your nominations [here](http://lift99.typeform.com/awards2026?ref=fomo.observer). ## Sign up for Fomo.Observer Startup stories from Estonia. Free weekly newsletter. 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