Accelerate Estonia

First, we identify public sector high-level policymakers who are interested in out-of-the-box solutions to complex problems within their domain or cross-domain. Then we call both the public and private sectors to offer solutions. Through a hackathon or an online evaluation process, we then present the stronger teams to an advisory board that decides on a few ideas to be accepted. For those accepted, we provide either a 3 + 6 month (with fewer teams continuing after 3-month validation) or 9-month acceleration programme, through which the change effort and new market to-be-created need to be described.

Accelerate Estonia is an initiative launched by the Estonian government in 2017 to drive digital transformation and innovation across the country. The aim of the program is to make Estonia the world's most digitally advanced society by leveraging emerging technologies and innovative approaches to problem-solving.

Accelerate Estonia focuses on three main areas: digital government, digital society, and digital business. Under digital government, the program seeks to enhance the delivery of public services through the use of technology, making it easier and more convenient for citizens to interact with the government. The digital society aspect aims to develop and implement innovative solutions that improve the quality of life for Estonians, such as smart transportation and healthcare systems. Lastly, the digital business component aims to support the growth and development of startups and small businesses by providing access to resources, mentorship, and funding.

Projects:

Mental Health (Clanbeat): Clanbeat realised that the data streams to unearth the complexity of mental health problems are not sufficient to understand what could be done differently and how the student could be positioned in the centre of solutions. The outcome of the pilot is an open source data set to be used for policymaking and launching new business models.

Green Turn (Pattern Buildings 369): 75% of new buildings can be constructed with a kit of modular building components, well ahead of the 2027 deadline set by the EU. By building the next kindergartens and government buildings modularly, we will pave way for Estonian construction companies, architecture bureaus etc to be ahead of the curve and create a competitive advantage.

Wild Card (Digiciti Networks): All creators of digital content – musicians, writers, game creators etc – have an issue with remuneration by the dominant streaming platforms. Now it has become possible to claim rights and royalty in a 1bln/per year market.

Project Model at a Glance:

Operational efforts and responsibilities

Change management from idea sourcing to scaling (if successful). Including opportunity discovery, public sector power mapping, business model development, product/service pilot and launch. Responsible for dialogue with the public sector, and oversight of a meaningful pilot that leads to economic opportunity for Estonia. Help make sure the public sector changes are implemented and support the creation of a product/service that defines the new market.

Location
Tallinn, Estonia

Nature of programme or organisation
Challenge based programme

Position
Part of central government

Size of team
5

Geographical area covered
Estonia

Website
accelerateestonia.ee

Email
mikk@accelerateestonia.ee

Facebook
facebook.com/aestonia/

LinkedIn
linkedin.com/company/accelerate-estonia/

Project showcase