Language/Standard-estonian/Culture/Estonian-technology-and-innovation
Estonian technology and innovation
Estonia is a small country situated in Northern Europe. Despite its size, Estonia is known for its advanced technology and innovative solutions. Estonians are proud of their country's e-solutions and how they have made everyday life more convenient and less time-consuming. In this lesson, you will learn about the Estonian IT sector, e-governance, and innovative startups.
Estonian IT sector
Estonia is one of the leading countries in the world in terms of e-governance, digital identity, and secure communication. The Estonian IT sector has played a significant role in the country's development since Estonia regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Today, Estonia has a thriving IT sector with many internationally recognized success stories, such as Skype, TransferWise, and Taxify. Estonian IT companies are known for their innovative solutions and progressive management practices. The government supports the growth of the IT sector by providing favorable tax conditions, investing in research and development, and attracting foreign investment.
The Estonian e-Residency program is also worth mentioning. It enables anyone in the world to establish and manage a business online in Estonia. E-residents are given access to the same government services as Estonian citizens, and they can conduct business remotely without ever having to visit Estonia physically.
E-governance
Estonia is one of the few countries in the world which has a fully functioning digital government. Thanks to its e-governance system, Estonia has been able to reduce bureaucracy and eliminate the need for paper-based documents. Estonians can vote, pay taxes, sign contracts, and receive medical prescriptions electronically.
The Estonian e-governance system is built on blockchain technology, which guarantees the reliability, transparency, and security of the system. The digital identity of Estonians is protected by a system known as X-Road, which ensures that the personal data of Estonian citizens is well-secured and cannot be accessed by unauthorized individuals.
Innovative startups
The Estonian startup scene is thriving, and there are many promising startups emerging from Estonia every year. The country has a unique ecosystem which fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration. The close cooperation between universities, research institutions, and the private sector has led to the creation of many successful startups.
Some of the most successful Estonian startups today are TransferWise, Pipedrive, Bolt, and Starship Technologies. These companies are revolutionizing the way we do things and solving real-world problems using cutting-edge technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
If you're interested in starting your own business, Estonia is an excellent place to do so. The country provides an excellent environment for entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses. There are plenty of resources available to help entrepreneurs, such as startup accelerators, mentoring programs, and access to funding.
Examples
Here are some examples of essential words and phrases related to Estonian technology and innovation.
| Standard Estonian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Eesti IT-sektor | ['e.sti 'i.ti 'sek.tor] | Estonian IT sector |
| e-riik | ['e rik] | e-governance |
| veebiraamatukogu | ['ve:.bi.ra.a.mat.u.kogu] | digital library |
| e-post | ['e.post] | |
| X-teega kontaktivaba parkimine | ['eks te:ga 'kon.tak.ti.va.ba 'par.ki.mi.ne] | X-road-enabled contactless parking |
Conclusion
In conclusion, Estonia is a country that has made significant advancements in technology and innovation. The Estonian IT sector's success can be attributed to the country's e-governance system, digital identity, and secure communication. Estonia's startup ecosystem is thriving, and many new companies are emerging every year. Estonia is a great place to do business, and the country's technology and innovation sector is an excellent place to start.