Thomas's Personal Experience and Insights:
- Thomas, a hybrid German-American entrepreneur, joined the Ukrainian volunteer battalion during the war.
- After his service, he explored various countries for e-residency and digital nomad visas, choosing Estonia due to its fully digital, efficient setup process.
- Estonia’s e-residency program allows for quick company formation (24-48 hours) completely online.
- The program includes a marketplace with service providers such as accountants and legal advisors tailored to startup needs.
- The e-residency card is valid for five years but is not a travel document; it enables managing an EU company, hiring, and tax submissions easily.
- Thomas values the low cost and simplicity of Estonia’s system compared to other countries.
- Maintains both an Estonian EU company and a U.S. LLC to conduct business across these regions.

Mats's Overview of Estonia’s Digital and Startup Ecosystem:
- Estonia's government embraced digital governance early, creating integrated databases and a highly digital, cloud-first system with secure data protection.
- The country offers low corruption, simple tax system (0% corporate tax if profits are reinvested), no capital gains tax on retained earnings, and legal certainty closer to German law.
- Estonia has successfully created a vibrant startup ecosystem with 10 unicorns, a favorable stock option tax system encouraging entrepreneurial growth.
- E-residency fosters diversity; about 39% of startups have e-resident founders.
- Process: online application, background check, card pickup at embassies, and rapid company registration.
- Estonia competes globally in ease and speed of business formation, ranking well for startup funding per capita in Europe.
- Estonian startups benefit from institutional collaboration, top universities, and flexible immigration policies for business partners from outside the Schengen area.
- Common feedback: reduced bureaucracy, lower legal and notarial expenses, more time to focus on business growth.
- Estonia serves as a hub for international companies, including Polish businesses targeting Scandinavia or European markets.

Additional Founder Insights and Q&A:
- A founder shared his approach of incorporating a Delaware C corp in the U.S. with plans to also incorporate in Estonia once reaching key milestones.
- Emphasized frustration with paying high taxes and bank fees; appreciates Estonia’s favorable tax regime and flexibility.
- Reinforced the benefit of being able to operate an EU company from anywhere, with low effective tax rates until profit distribution.

Actionable Items and Tasks:
- Interested entrepreneurs can apply for Estonian e-residency online.
- Pick up the e-residency card at Estonian embassies or consulates.
- Utilize the online portal and marketplace to set up and manage an EU company digitally.
- Explore Estonia’s startup ecosystem for funding and collaboration opportunities.
- Visit the Estonia e-residency booth or contact service providers for personalized guidance, including cross-border taxation advice.
- Consider Estonia as a strategic hub for scaling startups with access to EU markets.