See who are the category winners of Estonia’s largest business competition
The winners of Estonia’s largest business competition, ‘Best Estonian Companies 2023’, were announced today by the Estonian Employers’ Confederation, Estonian Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Estonian Business and Innovation Agency. The nominees will battle for the Company of the Year title on November 4 at the gala, which will also be broadcasted on ETV.
Estonian Business and Innovation Agency together with The Estonian Employers’ Confederation selected the best in six categories and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in three categories. “Now the two separate competitions will become one, and the company of the year will be announced from these category winners on November 4,” said Sigrid Harjo, a member of the management board of Estonian Business and Innovation Agency. She added that the competition is tight and the category winners reflect the diversity of our business sector.
“Sincere thanks to the teams of all companies – your impact on developing our society is invaluable, and the success achieved in the competition is just a fraction of the recognition you really deserve,” said Harjo on behalf of all the organizers.
The foreign investor of the year 2023 is FLIR Systems, the Estonian branch of the international group develops and manufactures infrared devices in Tallinn. Their cutting-edge designs, work with universities, and contribution to the progress of Estonian engineering have been recognized and admired by the judges.
The Exporter of the Year 2023 is Silen, which produces award-winning quiet rooms used by global top players such as Spotify, Amazon and Volkswagen. The jury highly appreciated their swift expansion to foreign markets, comprehensive and continuous product development and strong branding.
Innovator of the year 2023 is Icosagen Cell Factory, which focuses on developing and commercializing cell-derived biopharmaceuticals and is preparing to launch a new production facility in Tartu. Icosagen’s powerful team, international-calibre research and development partnerships earned high praise from the jury.
The sustainable company of the year 2023 is A. Le Coq. They have the widest product portfolio in the Baltic Sea regioon beverage industry. The jury praised their dedication to sustainability and social responsibility.
The tourism promoter of the year 2023 is HMP Hotels, which operates the Radisson Collection hotel. The jury highly appreciated that a thorough renovation of the hotel was undertaken during the pandemic. This project set a new quality standard for the industry and attracted international business tourists to Estonia.
Family Business of the Year 2023 is MRPEasy, which builds AI-powered MRP systems for small manufacturers. The jury noted the company’s impressive growth rate, global reach, and successful blending of generational knowledge among family members.
The most competitive industrial company of the year is Ericsson Eesti AS. Ericsson is an international network and telecommunications company, whose Estonian branch develops and produces communication network base stations and creates innovative communication software solutions. More than 1,800 people work in the Estonian unit, nearly a third of whom are involved in research and development activities. Ericsson also plans to establish a new technology hub in Estonia. The facility, valued at approximately €155M, will serve as a key centre for Ericsson’s smart manufacturing operations in Europe.
The most competitive trading company of the year is Orlen Eesti OÜ. Founded over a century and a half ago in Central Europe, Orlen is now the largest fuel company in the region. Since 2003, its Estonian unit began focusing primarily on fuel wholesale and now reigns as the largest fuel supplier in the country.
The most competitive service company of the year is Admiral Markets AS. It is one of the most international financial technology companies in Estonia, which operates under the Admirals brand and offers a platform for currency and metals trading and investment opportunities. Headquartered in Estonia, Admirals has physical offices in 18 countries and clients in 150 countries, being represented on all continents.
‘Best Estonian Companies 2023’ is Estonia’s largest and longest-running entrepreneurship competition in Estonia, dating back to 1996. It was in this year, under the leadership of President Lennart Meri, that the title of Foreign Investor 1995 was awarded for the first time.
The selection of the best companies is co-financed with the funds of the European Union Regional Development Fund.
