Three Ajujaht teams shortlisted for SEB’s special future enterprise award

SEB is awarding a special future enterprise award of 5,000 euros to one of the Ajujaht teams. All teams whose solutions improve the environment and social aspects of society or promote an inclusive and ethical entrepreneurial culture were eligible for the award. The winner will be announced on 7 October as part of Impact Day.
 
‘We have divided the criteria for the enterprise of the future into three areas: impact on the environment, social aspects, and an inclusive and ethical business culture. As many as 11 teams applied for the special award this year. Creating a team motivated by a big purpose, as well as building and growing a business that solves broad societal problems is not an easy task. Teams have taken personal as well as organisational risks as they try to do something a little more radical while finding the revenue potential they need. In order to have a more positive impact, meaning to create solutions that are resilient over time,’ SEB Baltic Strategy Manager Andra Altoa explained.

The environment category assesses the enterprise’s impact on the environment and climate, and whether the enterprise is active in the field of green technology or the circular economy. In addition, it assesses whether the enterprise has a sustainability strategy in support of its core business or whether it is designed to do so.

From a social perspective, how the enterprise influences wider societal and social challenges in areas such as health and welfare, education, parental care, reducing inequalities, addressing demographic challenges, and access to services, will be looked at.

The inclusive and ethical business culture category assesses the impact on the promotion of equality and diversity in the enterprise, how transparently employees are involved in management, the treatment of clients and partners, and the values and principles on which the enterprise or its products and services are built.
 
Following the presentations on 5 October, the jury selected three Ajujaht teams as finalists for the special future enterprise award, which will be presented by SEB Estonia on 7 October during Impact Day, the largest sustainability festival in the Baltics.

Top 3 teams in the running for the SEB special award:
 
Kõnekindlus, which produces and sells speech therapy games/tools created in collaboration with specialists, designed to address speech disorders and support speech development.
 
MyCeen, which develops compostable building materials and furnishing products from fungal mycelium and organic residues.
 
Naturist, which produces granules made from organic hemp and peas that turn into a mince-like superfood when they come into contact with water and a pan.
 
Ajujaht is Estonia’s best-known accelerator for start-ups, where you can put your business idea and team to the test under the supervision of professionals. The Ajujaht accelerator programme and TV competition is a public-private partnership managed by the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency.