The candidates for this year's title of Entrepreneur of the Year in Estonia are Mailis Lintlom from the company Windoor AS, Thomas Padovani from Webinfluence Group AS, Peeter and Priit Rebane from BDG Holdings OU, Anthony and Max Rivshin from Top Connect OU, and Hellar Mutle from Bestra Engineering AS.
Naming the finalists, the jury said that all of them have stood out with innovative ideas in the first place, but also with the capability to export, which is an important indicator given the small size of the local market.
About 1,000 entrepreneurs were handed invitations to take part in the competition this year. The five finalists were picked from among 14 shortlisted candidates with whom two-hour, in-depth interviews were conducted and the financial results of the companies for the past three years subjected to a scrutiny.
The winner will be announced by President Toomas Hendrik Ilves during an event in Tallinn on Nov . 7.
The national winner will go to Monaco in June 2014 to compete for the title of World Entrepreneur Of The Year.
In previous years the Estonian title has gone to Jaan Puusaag from the company Krimelte OU, Indrek Sepp from Pristis AS, Peter Hunt from Wendre AS, Taavi Kotka and Priit Alamae from Nortal AS, and Ruth Oltjer from Chemi-Pharm AS.