Young Entrepreneurs Summer School 2025: Igniting the Spark in the Next Generation of Founders
For one week in August, Tallinn became the home of 23 ambitious young people from 10 different nationalities, all eager to dive into the world of startups. From August 11–17, the Young Entrepreneurs Summer School (YE25), organized by Startup Wise Guys in partnership with Estonian Business School, gave participants aged 16–24 a high-energy, hands-on experience of what it really means to think and act like an entrepreneur.
Now in its fifth year, the programme’s mission remains simple yet powerful: to light the entrepreneurial spark in young people by giving them the tools, mindset, and confidence to turn bold ideas into action.
A Week of Building, Learning, and Connecting
Instead of lectures, YE25 centered around interactive workshops, a hackathon, and real-world challenges. Participants learned how to validate ideas, design business models, and pitch with confidence. They were guided by 21 speakers and mentors, founders, investors, and operators from Estonia’s thriving startup ecosystem, who generously shared their insights and experiences with the next generation.
One of the highlights of the week was the multi-day hackathon, where teams worked under tight deadlines to develop solutions, test their assumptions, and present their projects at the final showcase.
Behind the Scenes of Estonia’s Tech Scene
Beyond workshops, participants had the rare opportunity to go behind the doors of some of Estonia’s most innovative organizations. Visits to Milrem Robotics, Stargate Hydrogen, and the e-Estonia Briefing Centre offered an inside look at how Estonia has become a global leader in digital governance and deep tech. From defense robotics to green hydrogen and digital society, participants saw first-hand how ideas are transformed into world-class solutions.
Community at the Core
YE25 wasn’t just about ideas and pitches—it was also about people. Over the week, participants built friendships across borders, cultures, and backgrounds. Speakers, mentors, and alumni shared candid stories of both successes and failures, reminding everyone that entrepreneurship is not a straight path but a mindset of resilience, creativity, and ambition.
Looking Ahead
As YE25 wrapped up, one thing was clear: the entrepreneurial spark had been lit. Some participants will go on to launch startups, others may join early-stage teams, and many will carry the lessons into future studies and careers. Whatever their path, they now have the mindset, network, and confidence to dream big.
Applications for next year’s Young Entrepreneurs Summer School will open soon. If you want to challenge yourself, meet inspiring peers, and experience the real startup journey in just one week, Tallinn is the place to be in August 2026.
