The Largest Nordic Hub For Tech and Creativity is Being Established in Tallinn

Estonian entrepreneurs Taavet Hinrikus and Sten Tamkivi are establishing Kasvuhoone  - the largest Nordic hub for tech and creativity. The aim is to bring at least 100 new startups to Kasvuhoone in the Krulli neighborhood to grow the economy of Estonia and Europe from Kalamaja.

"The changed power dynamics have given Europe a unique opportunity that we must not miss. Now is the right time, together with the AI revolution, to create new companies and industries that increase Europe's independence and competitiveness in the world," said Taavet Hinrikus, explaining the idea behind creating this unique future business growth platform.

"Europe has sufficient talent and large enough markets to build a better future for everyone. European technologies with a humanistic view have the potential to impact all of humanity over the next decade, and Estonia's and more broadly the Nordic's favorable business environment would allow these companies to grow right here," added Sten Tamkivi.

The entrepreneurs are convinced that in a de-globalizing world, Europe has a clear competitive advantage alongside China and the USA, which is largely untapped. Europe has values and a unique way of creating life-changing companies that the USA and China are incapable of due to their nationally rooted business cultures and politics.

Therefore, the investment company Skaala, led by Hinrikus and Tamkivi, is creating a unique hub for tech and creativity called Kasvuhoone (meaning “growth house” in Estonian) in the Krulli neighborhood, whose community has all the prerequisites for global breakthrough and growing Estonia's GDP.

Spanning 15,000 square meters, Kasvuhoone will bring together ambitious startups, a business accelerator, technology innovators, creative studios, open workspaces, and a vibrant common area with a food street, small businesses, and exhibition spaces.

"Our goal is to create an ecosystem in Kasvuhoone that would help companies grow in an environment that fosters cooperation and international networking. We like to think of Kasvuhoone as more open space and less real estate," explained Hinrikus.

Therefore, the European renowned startup accelerator Norrsken Accelerator, founded by the Swedish organization Norrsken Foundation, will have a special role in Kasvuhoone. Invited there by Skaala, this globally unique program invests in European early-stage startups in resilience and sustainability, with the potential to become impact unicorns. 

“The shifting geopolitical climate has created a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Europe to cement our leadership as a global leader in sustainable innovation. We look forward to working with the Kasvuhoone team to find and back the best talent coming out of Estonia. There’s never been a better time for founders building Europe’s sustainable and resilient future”, said Rebecka Löthman Rydå, general partner at Norrsken Accelerator. 

Norssken Accelerator plans to launch its program in Tallinn as early as next year.

Kasvuhoone, being created in the former Krulli mechanical workshop, will be designed as Europe's most influential business environment by Denmark's leading architectural firm Cobe. The firm's architects are known worldwide for creating urban spaces that promote creativity. Cobe's partner in Estonia is KOKO Architects.

"The arrival of Kasvuhoone and Norrsken Accelerator to Tallinn brings the Nordic countries even closer to its eastern border and hopefully sends a strong message about regional security speculations," said Hinrikus.

At Latitude59, Taavet Hinrikus will reveal why Estonia and Europe need a unique business incubator, and renowned British urbanist Charles Landry will discuss what a creativity-fostering urban space should be like. Watch the live broadcast starting at 2:30 PM HERE.

At 3:30 PM, Sten Tamkivi will take the Latitude59 stage together with Skaala CEO and partner Kristina Siimar, and representatives from the architectural firm Cobe and Norssken Accelerator. Watch the live broadcast of this thought-provoking presentation HERE.

About Kasvuhoone

Kasvuhoone is a hub for people to build the future, located at the heart of the Krulli neighborhood in Tallinn, Estonia. The former Machine building Factory dating back to 1899, is being transformed into 15,000 m² of dynamic space that brings together startups, creative industries, and community initiatives to flourish together. Featuring world-class accelerator programs, creative studios, flexible workspaces, and vibrant public areas including a food street, bakery, exhibition area and makerlab, we're cultivating the perfect climate for European breakthroughs to take root and grow to global impact.  

The entire on-site ecosystem will encompass over 100,000 m² of office space alongside residential quarters, covering a total area of 10 hectares.

About Skaala

Skaala is an independent investment company founded by Taavet Hinrikus and Sten Tamkivi in 2024, focusing on creating lasting and meaningful value, encompassing private equity, real estate, and impact projects. The company is dedicated to promoting lasting systemic changes that ensure both financial growth and positive social changes.

About Norrsken

Norrsken supports entrepreneurs building solutions to the world's greatest challenges. The Norrsken ecosystem connects more than 50 000 founders, funders and supporters in a global ecosystem dedicated to positive impact. 

Norrsken manages award-winning Norrsken House hubs in Barcelona, Spain, Kigali, Rwanda, Brussels, Belgium and Stockholm, Sweden. Norrsken’s five funds have raised more than 750m USD to back exceptional entrepreneurs who combine profit with positive global impact: Norrsken VC, Norrsken22, Norrsken Accelerator, Norrsken Launcher and Norrsken Africa Seed Fund.

Norrsken was founded by Niklas Adalberth, co-founder of payment services unicorn Klarna.