Editor’s Note: Latitude59 2025 reflects both the diversity and maturity of today’s startup ecosystem in the Baltics and beyond. With 391 applicants from 47 countries, the competition highlights a continued international interest in early-stage innovation, particularly across AI, defense, and deep tech sectors that are increasingly relevant to professionals in cybersecurity, eDiscovery, and information governance.

The event’s €500,000 investment prize, syndicated through EstBAN, LatBAN, and LitBAN, underscores the growing role of cross-border collaboration among Baltic business angel networks. This united effort signals a shared commitment to backing startups with the ambition and technical focus needed to impact real-world systems, including those involved in data security and information lifecycle management.

As startups prepare for the final selection phases, the emphasis on practical innovation and scalable strategy continues to resonate with professionals navigating regulatory and technological change. ComplexDiscovery OÜ staff will be attending this year’s conference in Tallinn to explore firsthand the emerging technologies and strategic directions shaping the global innovation landscape.

Latitude59 remains a vital point of convergence where capital, innovation, and insight align, offering valuable perspective for those at the intersection of technology, law, and governance.


Content Assessmenty: Global Startups Gain Cross-Border Backing from Baltic Angels at Latitude59 2025

Information - 94%
Insight - 91%
Relevance - 90%
Objectivity - 88%
Authority - 92%

91%

Excellent

A short percentage-based assessment of the qualitative benefit expressed as a percentage of positive reception of the recent article from ComplexDiscovery OÜ titled, "Global Startups Gain Cross-Border Backing from Baltic Angels at Latitude59 2025."


Industry News – Investment Beat

Global Startups Gain Cross-Border Backing from Baltic Angels at Latitude59 2025

ComplexDiscovery Staff

Nearly 400 startups from 47 countries are preparing to compete for a €500,000 investment at this year’s Latitude59, the Baltic region’s flagship technology and innovation conference. Scheduled for May 21–23 in Tallinn, the event reflects a continued global appetite for early-stage innovation, particularly in sectors such as artificial intelligence, defense tech, and deep tech.

The 2025 edition of the Latitude59 startup competition attracted 391 applications, a slightly lower figure than the previous year. However, organizers are emphasizing quality over quantity. According to Liisi Org, CEO of Latitude59, the decline aligns with broader European trends, where the rate of startup formation has slowed. Org noted that despite fewer new ventures, the ambition and execution quality remain high, and investor interest has not waned. “Investors are ready to back promising teams, and that opens up excellent opportunities for early-stage startups to grow fast and go far,” she said, pointing to a strategic shift favoring robust, globally-minded ventures.

This year’s €500,000 grand prize will be awarded through a pan-Baltic syndicated investment spearheaded by the Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian business angel networks: EstBAN, LatBAN, and LitBAN. The collaboration between the networks was central to the evaluation process, with more than 300 applications undergoing collective review. Roberta Rudokienė, Managing Director at LitBAN, described the collaboration as a critical element in ensuring a fair and comprehensive assessment process. She emphasized that the joint approach allowed deeper engagement with each submission, bringing together diverse perspectives from across the Baltic investment landscape.

The regional collaboration highlights an evolution in how early-stage startups are evaluated and supported in the Baltics. Karin Künnapas, Managing Director at EstBAN, said that despite working across three different national networks, there was strong consensus on the top-performing teams. This alignment, she suggested, signals a shared understanding of what investors in the region value—visionary leadership, scalable product design, and a clear path to market.

Among the 32 startups selected to move forward in the competition, a strong presence of companies focused on defense technology, artificial intelligence, and creative industry solutions underscores a shift toward specialized, high-impact innovation. According to Triin Ilves, Head of Startup Relations at Latitude59, the entries reflect emerging verticals that are gaining momentum, particularly in the Baltics. She highlighted increased activity in areas such as defense tech and deep tech, sectors that resonate with growing regional and global demand for secure, resilient, and forward-looking technologies.

The competition also illustrates how far the Baltic startup ecosystem has progressed. Emils Kragis, Managing Director at LatBAN, noted the international reach of this year’s applicants and the global vision evident among Baltic founders. He said the Top 32 represent a broad range of industries—from fintech to HR tech—and are united by their ambition to scale from day one. “It’s impressive to see so many teams building with global ambition. It’s definitely something that the Baltics need more of,” he said.

As the competition moves into its next phase, the 32 selected startups will receive training and mentorship from experienced professionals, culminating in a pre-finals pitch round. From this group, five teams will be chosen to present their refined pitches live on the main stage at Latitude59 on May 23. These finalists will compete under the scrutiny of Baltic angel investors and a global audience of startup enthusiasts, corporate leaders, and policy influencers.

Latitude59, now in its 13th year, has become the most international and influential startup conference in the Baltics and New Nordics. Last year, the event welcomed over 3,500 participants from 65 countries, including more than 900 startup founders and over 700 investors. The 2024 edition featured 195 speakers, with 40% of them being women, reflecting the event’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity in tech.

For professionals focused on cybersecurity, data governance, and information lifecycle management, the themes emerging from this year’s competition—especially those tied to AI innovation and defense technology—offer a forward-looking glimpse at tools, trends, and thought leaders likely to shape tomorrow’s landscape.

News Sources


Assisted by GAI and LLM Technologies

Additional Reading

Source: ComplexDiscovery OÜ

 

Have a Request?

If you have information or offering requests that you would like to ask us about, please let us know, and we will make our response to you a priority.

ComplexDiscovery OÜ is a highly recognized digital publication focused on providing detailed insights into the fields of cybersecurity, information governance, and eDiscovery. Based in Estonia, a hub for digital innovation, ComplexDiscovery OÜ upholds rigorous standards in journalistic integrity, delivering nuanced analyses of global trends, technology advancements, and the eDiscovery sector. The publication expertly connects intricate legal technology issues with the broader narrative of international business and current events, offering its readership invaluable insights for informed decision-making.

For the latest in law, technology, and business, visit ComplexDiscovery.com.

 

Generative Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Model Use

ComplexDiscovery OÜ recognizes the value of GAI and LLM tools in streamlining content creation processes and enhancing the overall quality of its research, writing, and editing efforts. To this end, ComplexDiscovery OÜ regularly employs GAI tools, including ChatGPT, Claude, DALL-E2, Grammarly, Midjourney, and Perplexity, to assist, augment, and accelerate the development and publication of both new and revised content in posts and pages published (initiated in late 2022).

ComplexDiscovery also provides a ChatGPT-powered AI article assistant for its users. This feature leverages LLM capabilities to generate relevant and valuable insights related to specific page and post content published on ComplexDiscovery.com. By offering this AI-driven service, ComplexDiscovery OÜ aims to create a more interactive and engaging experience for its users, while highlighting the importance of responsible and ethical use of GAI and LLM technologies.