When Estonia launched its e-Residency scheme five years ago, it was a leap in the dark. But nowadays the programme is boosting economic growth, tax revenues, and the country’s profile by connecting with an emerging generation of global, highly-mobile entrepreneurs.

Ott will give a brief presentation on Estonia’s e-Residency programme, under which people from any country can create an Estonian digital identity – enabling them to access some public services, and to establish and operate businesses registered in the EU member state. 

Starting out wanting to save time and money for existing business people, those behind e-Residency discovered that they could offer financial inclusion for third world citizens through Estonia - opportunities reaching well beyond economic growth, into the issues around global development and the relationship between people and states.