ESTONIAN-AMERICAN
Innovation
Award

As a means to highlight innovation in Estonia – and the collaboration between U.S. and Estonian firms and individuals – the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation (BAFF), the U.S. Embassy in Estonia, and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Estonia established the annual Estonian-American Innovation Award for an Estonian individual or firm that has developed an innovation in cooperation with a U.S. partner.

The award is a cooperative project of AmCham Estonia, U.S. Embassy, and the Baltic American Freedom Foundation (BAFF). Initiated in 2011, it recognizes innovation by Estonians in partnership with Americans in a broad range of fields.

Previous award winners include the following companies: GrabCAD, ZeroTurnaround OÜ, Fortumo, Planet OS Inc., Transferwise.

Recent Awards

The best in innovation and entrepreneurial cooperation between Estonians and Americans was celebrated on January 27, 2016, with the award to TransferWise for 2016 Estonian-American Innovation Award. Teleport received the “Most Innovative Newcomer Award” and Garage48 received the “Facebook Creativity Recognition Award.”

As recipient of the Innovation Award, TransferWise received a prize of €10,000 from BAFF. This online money transfer service, which allows users to transfer money up to 89% cheaper than through the bank, established two new offices in the United States this year, providing similar domestic transfer depositing services as they do in Europe. Other finalists for this year’s Innovation Award prize included Cybernetica AS, Skeleton Technologies AS, Teleport, and Testlio.

ESTONIAN TRANSATLANTIC BUSINESS AWARDS

AmCham Estonia in cooperation with BAFF and the U.S. Embassy Tallinn has launched the Transatlantic Business Awards program, building on the success of the Estonian-American Innovation Awards (2011-2015).

The Business Awards will continue to recognize outstanding and innovative achievements by Estonian-based companies and individuals in the U.S., with an emphasis on their contributions to strengthening transatlantic economic ties and shared prosperity. There are three separate honors:

  • The Transatlantic Company of the Year, highlighting the importance of transatlantic trade and investment between the U.S. and Estonia and recognizing the contributions and positive impact made by Estonian companies investing in the U.S.

  • The Transatlantic Person of the Year, recognizing a person residing in Estonia or in the U.S. who has made significant contributions to promoting entrepreneurship or transatlantic collaboration. The award will honor the individual’s accomplishments in fostering increased entrepreneurial activity, including among diverse groups, and in promoting connections with the U.S.-based entrepreneurship ecosystem.

  • The Melissa Wells Corporate Responsibility Award, recognizing companies operating in Estonia who demonstrate ethical leadership and corporate responsibility.