Latitude59, the biggest startup and technology event in the Baltic States, is set to expand its reach by organizing a satellite event in Nairobi, Kenya, this November.
After successfully hosting a record-breaking event in Tallinn, Estonia, which drew over 4,000 participants from 60 countries, the organizers are looking to build upon their success by entering the African startup ecosystem.
Why Kenya is the Perfect Fit for Latitude59’s Expansion
Liisi Org, CEO of Latitude59, highlighted that Kenya is a logical choice for their expansion. “A significant number of Estonian startups and technology companies are already active in Africa, and Kenya offers a great gateway for entrepreneurs looking to expand their businesses on the African continent,” said Org.
She also noted that Kenya’s startup ecosystem is one of the most prominent in Africa, with many local entrepreneurs showing a keen interest in Estonia’s success story and eager to collaborate.
Latitude59 Kenya Edition 2024 will be held on November 28th in Nairobi, marking the second time the event takes place in the city. The previous edition, held in December last year, attracted nearly 800 participants from across Africa and the globe.
Fostering Global Connections and Learning Opportunities
Dolores Daniel, project manager for Latitude59 Kenya Edition, emphasized the importance of knowledge exchange between the Estonian and Kenyan startup ecosystems.
“It’s incredible to see how motivated and eager these young entrepreneurs are, and I am very happy that we can share our knowledge and experiences with them,” said Daniel.
Also Read: How Estonia became a global tech leader and is now exporting innovation to Kenya
She further noted the valuable lessons Estonian entrepreneurs could learn from Kenyans, particularly in finding simple solutions to complex problems and taking bold risks regardless of their backgrounds.
Latitude59’s Vision for a Global Startup Village
Latitude59’s CEO, Liisi Org, reiterated that this satellite event is part of the organization’s broader vision for a “global village,” which aims to share Estonia’s experiences in building a thriving startup ecosystem with the world. “We aim to bring together startup communities worldwide, fostering new connections, exchanging ideas, and initiating important discussions on global issues,” Org remarked.
Org also added that Latitude59 is evolving into an international platform that connects and amplifies local initiatives, helping to scale them globally.
The event in Nairobi aims to open doors to East Africa and bring together the international tech community.
Last year’s Latitude59 Kenya Edition exceeded expectations in terms of scale and impact. According to Org, this year’s event promises to be even larger and more impactful, with plans to attract some of the world’s most exciting startups and investors to Nairobi in November.
“I am happy and grateful that we once again have the opportunity to connect the Estonian and Kenyan startup ecosystems and introduce them both in Africa and globally,” Org said.
Impressive Numbers from Latitude59 in Estonia
The success of the event in Estonia is a testament to Latitude59’s global ambitions. This year’s event in Tallinn saw more than 3,500 attendees, including over 900 startup representatives and 20 national delegations.
The event also attracted close to 600 investors, managing portfolios totaling more than 30 billion euros. Notably, the stages featured 195 speakers, 40% of whom were women, representing a broad diversity of thought and experience.
Participants came from over 60 countries worldwide, reinforcing Latitude59’s status as a global startup and tech event.
A Platform for African and Global Entrepreneurs
With its upcoming Kenya edition, Latitude59 is positioning itself as a key player in linking African startups with global networks.
By expanding into Nairobi, the event not only aims to showcase Estonian success stories but also seeks to create opportunities for African entrepreneurs to connect with the broader global startup community.
