TechChill 2024 concluded on a high note, with four ambitious startups claiming the spotlight at the renowned Fifty Founders Battle, held annually as part of the event. This year’s competition set records in participation and showcased the thriving innovation ecosystem in the Baltic region and beyond.
Winners of the Fifty Founders Battle
The high-energy pitch competition awarded prizes to standout startups representing diverse industries and geographies:
SUBmerge Baltic (Latvia): Secured the 10,000 EUR TechChill community cash prize for their innovative contributions.
Salesforge (Estonia): Won a total of 250,000 EUR, including 150,000 EUR in syndicate funding from BADideas.fund and 100,000 EUR from DEPO Ventures.
FleetFox (Estonia): Received 75,000 EUR in funding from BADideas.fund.
Silo Team (Sweden): Gained a significant 250,000 EUR investment opportunity from Look AI Ventures.
While smaller prizes were awarded to additional startups, these included resources such as advertising credits and professional training, further enriching the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Unprecedented Engagement and Community Spirit
This year marked a record-breaking level of interest, with 388 applications from 57 countries for the Fifty Founders Battle. The overall TechChill event drew over 2,300 attendees from 40 countries, including 250 investors, 600 startup representatives, 100 speakers, and 60 media representatives.
The event also highlighted themes of resilience and collaboration:
Support for Ukraine: The community showcased solidarity through initiatives pooling expertise and resources.
Advancements in AI and defense tech: Discussions underscored the transformative potential of technology in shaping industries and societies.
Annija Mežgaile, CEO of TechChill, reflected on the significance of the event:
“TechChill is a platform for the community to come together, and this year we have seen the community effect stronger than ever. … The community has come together to demonstrate its support for Ukraine, pool skills and resources in the defense tech industry, which is stronger than ever, as well as sharing insights on making the most of the opportunities presented by advancements in AI.”