PRESS RELEASE
Latitude59 brought Nordic innovation to Singapore for the third consecutive year, hosting the Singapore x New Nordics Night of Innovation & Investment to connect startup founders, investors and key players from the Nordic and Asian innovation ecosystems, and to foster cross-border investment and collaboration.
According to Latitude59 CEO Liisi Org, Estonia and Singapore share a global mindset. “Small countries can’t afford to think small. Estonia and Singapore both learned early that their home markets are too small, so local companies have to be global from day one. The New Nordics have deep tech expertise and Singapore is the gateway to Asia’s capital and markets. The connections between us already exist, but they need to be deeper and more frequent for capital to really start moving. That kind of trust isn’t built at a single event, which is why Latitude59 keeps coming back,” said Org.
Singapore is home to one of Asia’s leading startup ecosystems, with more than 1,200 deep tech startups, and has established itself as a major hub for international investors. Estonia, meanwhile, has the highest concentration of unicorns in Europe and boasts 865 startups per million inhabitants. Having long been recognised as a role model in the global tech landscape, Estonia is now aiming to have 500 deep tech companies operating in the country by 2030.
Ambassador of Estonia Veikko Kala highlighted how the Nordic-Baltic region’s shared history has shaped its resilience and spirit of innovation. “History has taught the Nordic-Baltic countries that resilience is not built in isolation, but through trust, cooperation and the courage to adapt. What unites our region and Singapore is the understanding that size does not define ambition or global impact. In an increasingly uncertain world, bringing together our strengths, ideas and capital is not just an opportunity, but a strategic advantage. Together, we can turn shared challenges into innovations that reach far beyond our borders,” said Ambassador Kala.
Small Countries, Big Bets
One of the highlights of Latitude59 Singapore edition was a panel discussion titled “Small Countries, Big Bets: Why Isn’t Capital Moving Between the New Nordics and Asia, and Where Will the Returns Come From?”. The discussion explored the opportunities and challenges of attracting cross-border investment and strengthening capital flows between the two regions.
Mart Maasik, partner at Nordic Science Investments, stressed that capital, knowledge and shared goals belong together. “Combined, they empower founders with academic roots to turn their scientific excellence into global companies, and Singapore is a natural partner for the New Nordics in making that cycle even more impactful,” Maasik said.
My Ewrelius Ryde, Investor at Scania Invest, highlighted Singapore’s potential as a hub for deep-tech innovation: “At Scania Invest, we invest in technologies that advance the shift to a sustainable transport system, bringing industrial knowledge and access to real-world use cases alongside capital. Singapore’s strengths in deep-tech verticals such as semiconductors, next-gen manufacturing and autonomy make it an important place for us to explore opportunities with companies advancing these fields,” she said.
Queenie Wong, Managing Director at EQT, emphasised that demonstrating growth across multiple markets is an important factor in attracting international investment. “Investors generally look for a clear right to win before committing capital. For companies in the New Nordics looking at Asia, evidence of growth beyond the home market helps make that case. A team that has gained traction in more than one geography tends to be well placed to attract international investors.”
The importance of cross-border collaboration was also emphasised by Lassi Noponen, Director General at Business Finland. “There is no technological sovereignty without competitiveness — and world-class technologies are built through international collaboration. In a fragmented world, coalitions of the willing matter more than ever. Finland, the New Nordics and Singapore have every reason to join forces to build globally competitive technologies and businesses. Business Finland wants to help drive this cooperation, creating growth and strategic resilience,” Lassi Noponen said.
Latitude59 event Singapore x New Nordics Night of Innovation & Investment was held in cooperation with the Embassy of Estonia in Singapore, Nordic Singapore Innovation Days and the Swedish Energy Agency, as an official side event of SWITCH 2026.
Next stop: Kenya
From Asia, Latitude59 will now move to Africa where Latitude59 Kenya Edition 2026 is taking place on December 3–4. The event will bring together African startup founders, international investors, and technology companies operating across African and global markets. Last year’s Kenyan event attracted around 2,000 participants, and Latitude59 expects a similar turnout this year, including 600 investors from Africa, Europe, the Nordics, and Asia.
About Latitude59
Latitude59 is an Estonia-born global platform connecting startups, investors, and startup ecosystem builders from around the world. Its flagship event takes place in Tallinn, where this year’s 14th edition brought together more than 3,000 participants from over 70 countries, including 800 startup representatives and 60 investors.
Latitude59 has also expanded its international presence, having previously hosted events in Singapore, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and the South African cities of Cape Town and Johannesburg. Through its global network and events, Latitude59 connects startup communities across different markets and creates opportunities for founders, investors, and companies to grow internationally.
