In addition to the general competition, we will organise the third annual Start-Up Regatta which connects the sport of sailing and the start-up community.
This year we have the opportunity to invite up to 70 foreign investors and start-up companies to join in on the fun.
The 2-day event consists of learning about folkboats, a friendly sailing competition, an after-sail event for networking and a side-event for showcasing the best Estonian start-up ecosystem has to offer. It is a unique opportunity for both the captains and startuppers alike.
Each investor is manually matched with 2 start-ups from the local ecosystem, given a yacht and a captain, a brief theory lesson and literally thrown into the deep end. Since the folkboat is known for its seaworthy character, safety, reasonable speed and good behavior, we are able to invite everyone on board – even those of you with no previous sailing experience.
The captain of the yacht is able to manage it without any help, but the hope is that you will be able to take the “wheel” and try out what it’s like to be a captan, as well. While conditions can vary, the weather gods have been kind to us at this time of year in previous year and we are fairly certain that it will be a magnificent event to learn what sailing is all about. Of course, safety comes first, so before allowing you on board, we will give you both a theoretical class and a safety course, as well.
The main criteria for joining is the desire to say that you’ve learned something new this summer and wanting to write “you can’t direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails” under a photo of you on a boat in LinkedIn. To be a bit more specific, we are inviting:
Local start-ups from Tallinn and other Estonian cities that think about or are actively raising money and want to meet investors who can make that a reality.
Start-up and scale-up investors from Nordics, CEE, Southern Europe and everywhere else that are interested in deal-flow and network in the region.
Registration opens
Investor/Startup matching
Side-event details announced
Startup regatta
Celebrations & disco in a surprise location
Guests can purchase guest passes upon check-in
The magic of Folkboats lies in the fact that the captain is able to teach you the basics of sailing on the go. In addition, we will give you a short theory and safety training before start the competition. So no previous sailing experience is necessary. In fact, the less you know about sailing beforehand, the more fun you will have!
While the sea is unpredictable, we will partner you up with the best captains in the world (they are in fact in Estonia participating in the Folkboat world championships!) who will know what to do in every situation. In addition, we are following all the safety rules laid out for international sailing regattas.
For the 2 previous years, the Start-Up Regatta has enjoyed the most wonderful Estonian summer weather with about 26 degrees of heat and enough wind to have a good competition. However, we are in the north, so a little rain and cold evenings are not out of the question.
While on the sea, it’s always wise to dress in layers. The sea is usually a bit colder than land so you will be comfortable with bringing a hat, a tube scarf, sweater, light jacket and extra pair of socks.
That’s a possibility, yes. If you’re prone to seasickness, stock up on pill and patches and in case they don’t work, you’ll have a great story to tell back home.
After the competition we invite you to join us at a networking event with food and drinks and general merriment. The day after the event, we warmly invite you to participate in a half day mini-conference about the Estonian start-up ecosystem and meet other investors in the region.
goldcup@folkboot.ee
