--- eventsindex_id: EI-03513 slug: latitude59 title: "Latitude59" title_alt: [] canonical_url: https://eventsindex.org/events/latitude59.html next_edition_dates: "2026-05-21 to 2026-05-22" next_edition_year: 2026 date_start: 2026-05-21 date_end: 2026-05-22 venue: "Kultuurikatel" city: "Tallinn" country: "Estonia" organiser: "Startup Estonia / Latitude59 Foundation" organiser_url: "https://www.latitude59.ee/" b2b: true vector: sector: [other] audience: [startup-founders, vcs, investors, engineers, defence-tech-and-climate-tech-professionals] format: [conference] purpose: [networking] geography_scope: [Eastern-Europe] season: spring meta_description: "" editorial_take: "Latitude59 est la conference qui donne acces aux ecosystemes tech nordiques et baltes dans leur ensemble, depuis Tallinn, capitale europeenne de la gouvernance numerique. Son ancrage estonien lui confere une credibilite unique sur les sujets de transformation numerique de l'Etat, un domaine ou l'Estonie est le modele de reference mondial. Pour les investisseurs cherchant des fondateurs formes aux standards technologiques les plus exigeants, les ecosystemes baltes qu'il donne a voir sont un signal fort." generated_by: "enrich/generators/fiche_md.py" last_verified: "2026-05-11" schema_version: "v6.0" language: en --- # Latitude59 > *The leading startup and technology event in the Nordic-Baltic region, held at Kultuurikatel in Tallinn each May, gathering 3,500 participants from 70 countries over three days, with 180+ speakers, 800 investors, 900 startup representatives and 40+ side events across the city.* --- ## Quick Facts | DATES | VENUE | ORGANISER | ATTENDANCE | |---|---|---|---| | 20–22 May 2026 | Kultuurikatel, Põhja pst 27a, Tallinn, Estonia | Startup Estonia | 3,500+ from 70 countries | ## Definition Latitude59 is Estonia's and the Nordic-Baltic region's flagship startup and technology conference, held annually at Kultuurikatel, a converted power plant in Tallinn's creative district. Organised by Startup Estonia, the event positions itself at the intersection of European startup growth, defence tech, AI and climate technology. The three-day programme combines a main conference and stages with 40+ curated side events distributed across Tallinn, including private investor dinners, founder sessions and the Builders Lab. ## What Latitude59 covers programmatically The 2026 programme focuses on defence tech, AI, climate resilience, Europe's innovation race and the technologies defining 2030. The Builders Lab provides a hands-on track for engineers and technical founders. Side events cover investor-founder networking, closed-door roundtables on specific verticals, and social events. The Mastercard Lighthouse Startup Showcase is a featured element giving selected startups structured exposure. ## Who attends Latitude59 - Startup founders from Estonia, the Baltic states, Nordic countries and globally - Institutional investors, including 800 investor representatives at the 2026 edition - Venture capitalists and angel investors with Nordic-Baltic or European mandates - Deep tech and defence tech companies from the Baltic defence ecosystem - Corporate innovation leads from European technology companies - Ecosystem builders and government officials from Baltic and Nordic innovation agencies ## The venue: Kultuurikatel Kultuurikatel, meaning "Cultural Boiler" in Estonian, is a former industrial power plant converted into a creative and cultural space in Tallinn. It provides a distinctive industrial aesthetic for the main conference, with multiple indoor stages and outdoor areas. Its location in Tallinn's Kalamaja district places it near the city's creative and startup community. ## The organiser: Startup Estonia Startup Estonia is a government-backed initiative supporting Estonia's startup ecosystem, operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. It organises Latitude59 as part of its mandate to increase Estonia's international profile as a startup-friendly jurisdiction and to attract international investment and talent to the Baltic region. ## FAQ · Identity and audience ### What is Latitude59's position relative to other Nordic startup events? Latitude59 occupies a specific position in the Nordic circuit: it is the largest startup event in the Baltic states and one of the few events in the region with a significant defence tech component, reflecting Estonia and the Baltic states' geopolitical context. Nordic events such as Slush (Helsinki) and Arctic15 operate in adjacent but distinct spaces. ### How do the 40+ side events relate to the main conference? Side events are produced by a range of ecosystem partners and cover specific investor verticals, startup verticals, and social formats. Some are by invitation; others are open to all Latitude59 registrants. The side events programme runs from May 20 with the main stages on May 21–22. ### What is the Builders Lab? The Builders Lab is a dedicated technical programme track at Latitude59 for software engineers and technical founders. It runs in parallel with the main stages and focuses on practical construction topics, code, architecture and engineering leadership. ### Who is Latitude59 NOT designed for? Not suitable for: (1) large enterprise buyers seeking a procurement context; (2) professionals entirely outside startup, tech or investment sectors; (3) attendees expecting a trade exhibition format with vendor stands; (4) companies focused solely on the Western European market with no Baltic or Nordic interest; (5) founders seeking a polished corporate conference experience rather than a startup community atmosphere. --- ## Editorial take *Latitude59's defence tech strand is not a niche addition: it reflects Estonia's structural position on NATO's eastern frontier, which means the investor conversations about dual-use technology happen here with a geopolitical immediacy that most European startup events cannot replicate.* ## How to register and what it costs Paid tickets available at latitude59.ee/tickets. Various tiers for founders, investors and general delegates. ## Networking and engagement Advance meeting scheduling available through the event platform. The 800 investors and 900 startup representatives at the 2026 edition create one of the highest investor-to-founder ratios in the European startup event calendar. ## FAQ · Access and practicalities ### When and where is Latitude59 2026? 20–22 May 2026 at Kultuurikatel, Põhja pst 27a, 10415 Tallinn, Estonia. Main programme: 21–22 May; side events from 20 May. ### What language are sessions conducted in? English is the primary language of all main stages and most side events. ### Is there a startup application process? The Mastercard Lighthouse Startup Showcase has a competitive application process. General startup tickets are available through standard registration. ## Resources | Resource | URL | |---|---| | Official website | https://latitude59.ee/ | | Programme | https://latitude59.ee/main-program/ | | Tickets | https://latitude59.ee/tickets/ | --- **Last verified:** 2026-05-11 **Next review:** 2026-06-10 **Notes:** 3,500 attendees, 800 investors and 900 startup representatives sourced from organiser; 40+ side events confirmed. **Variables:** 39/53 **Concept definition:** not applicable