Editor’s Note: Latitude59 continues to stand out as a bellwether for innovation and entrepreneurial opportunity in Eastern Europe. As Estonia solidifies its role as a global startup leader, with the highest number of unicorns per capita in Europe, events like this offer more than inspiration; they present actionable insights and valuable connections. The appearance of Boyan Slat and Markus Villig underscores the region’s influence in shaping the future of responsible tech and environmental solutions.
ComplexDiscovery OÜ staff will be in attendance at this year’s event from May 21 to May 23 in Tallinn, engaging with key stakeholders, exploring the latest trends, and contributing to important conversations at the crossroads of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. For professionals and founders alike, Latitude59 2025 is a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and lead from one of the most vibrant innovation ecosystems in the world.
Content Assessment: A Convergence of Purpose: Ocean Cleanup’s Boyan Slat and Bolt’s Markus Villig Headline Latitude59 Fireside Chat
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A Convergence of Purpose: The Ocean Cleanup’s Boyan Slat and Bolt’s Markus Villig Headline Latitude59 Fireside Chat
ComplexDiscovery Staff
A compelling dialogue on innovation and environmental impact is set to unfold at Latitude59 in Tallinn this May, as two of Europe’s most influential young entrepreneurs, Boyan Slat and Markus Villig, take the stage for a headline fireside chat.
From bold teenage visions to global initiatives, Slat and Villig have built transformative ventures aimed at tackling some of today’s most daunting challenges. Slat, founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, and Villig, the Estonian founder of Bolt, will explore the intersection of environmental responsibility and technological innovation in a conversation expected to resonate with founders, investors, and change-makers alike.
Latitude59 CEO Liisi Org hailed their appearance as a centerpiece of this year’s conference. “We are very happy and grateful that Boyan Slat agreed to come to Estonia and share his insights with Latitude59 guests on the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and solving environmental challenges,” she said. “We are also eager to hear Markus Villig’s thoughts on building a mission-driven company and navigating the challenges of rapid growth.”
Parallel Journeys, Shared Ambitions
Both Slat and Villig began their journeys as teenagers—Slat at 16 with a vision to clean the oceans, and Villig at 19 with a mission to modernize urban mobility. Their fireside chat will reflect on the challenges they faced in scaling their visions, the role of integrity in leadership, and how technology can support long-term societal change.
Slat, whose nonprofit has developed both offshore and riverine systems to intercept plastic waste, emphasized the urgency of collective action. “We know clean oceans can be achieved in a manageable time and at a clear cost,” he said. “We have the tools—now we need to rally support to get the job done.”
Villig, whose mobility platform now spans over 600 cities globally, spoke to the roots of his journey. “Seeing the success of Estonian entrepreneurs at Skype gave me the confidence to dream big,” he said. “Successful founders have a responsibility to give back, and I’m looking forward to being back at Latitude59 alongside Boyan to help inspire the next generation.”
Local Connections, Global Impact
During his time in Estonia, Slat will meet with environmental groups and philanthropic organizations, including World Cleanup Day and the Good Deed Foundation. These meetings align with The Ocean Cleanup’s global strategy to foster local partnerships for scalable environmental solutions.
Slat’s initiative, now operating in multiple marine regions, has removed tens of millions of kilograms of plastic. Its complementary river-focused Interceptor program aims to stop plastic at its source, targeting key polluting rivers worldwide.
A Spotlight on Integrity and Perspective
This year’s Latitude59 conference centers on the themes of “integrity and perspective,” aligning with the personal and organizational missions of both Slat and Villig. Their conversation is anticipated to spark meaningful discussion about how innovation can address environmental and social issues without sacrificing transparency or long-term vision.
Now in its 13th year, Latitude59 is recognized as the leading startup and technology event in the Baltic region. The 2024 edition drew more than 3,500 attendees from 65 countries and featured a speaker lineup that was 40% women, underscoring the conference’s commitment to inclusivity and global collaboration.
News Sources
Assisted by GAI and LLM Technologies
Additional Reading
- Beyond Borders: How Legal Strategy Shapes the Success Trajectory of Tech Startups
- Baltic Startup Scene Gains Boost with Unified Pitch Competition Investment
- Latitude59 2025 to Focus on Integrity & Perspective in Global Tech
Source: ComplexDiscovery OÜ