What are the pros of investing in tech talent from Tallinn?
Estonia has emerged as a thriving tech hub and has gained recognition for its advanced digital infrastructure and skilled workforce. Tallinn is home to top-notch universities and technical schools, producing a pool of highly educated and skilled tech professionals. Additionally, Estonia is renowned for its innovative approach to technology and digital solutions. The country has been at the forefront of digital transformation, with a strong emphasis on e-governance, cybersecurity, and fintech advancements. Investing in Tallinn's tech talent means gaining access to individuals with experience in cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions.
How many Estonian specialists do you have in your database?
Up to 10000 Estonian talents are listed in our database. The numbers are growing rapidly as we’re conducting above 40 recruitment processes simultaneously.
What makes you unique among your competitors on the Estonian market?
DevsData’s priority is to maintain the highest level of transparency. We regularly gather feedback and brainstorm together on the next vital project milestones and plans. Transparency is our core business value, required from all our employees and contractors. And apart from that, the number one trait for our employees, contractors, and even non-tech personnel is the ability to come up with solutions to non-obvious problems. We discover it through a rigorous, multi-stage recruitment process (including extensive technical interview) that only the best can pass.
Highly skilled, senior recruitment workforce, deep industry know-how thanks to 7+ years experience, combined with a work history with premium clients such as highly-technologies, VC-backed US and Israeli startups, hedge funds, financial institutions, private equity firms, and HNWIs, is what distinguishes us from competitors.
Are Estonian IT specialists considered to be well-qualified?
According to Estonian state census, there are approximately 30,000 qualified IT specialists in Estonia. In addition, Tallinn has gained a reputation as an innovative tech hub. According to the Global Innovation Index 2020, Estonia ranked 34th out of 131 countries in terms of innovation performance.
Why is now the best time to hire Estonian developers?
Besides the increasing number of Estonian IT specialist available on the market, compared to some other European countries and major tech hubs, labour costs in Estonia may be more affordable, making it an attractive option for companies looking to hire skilled developers at a competitive price. In addition, Estonia is well-known for its advanced digital infrastructure and e-governance initiatives. This digital environment fosters a tech-savvy workforce and provides a favourable ecosystem for tech companies.
Do we need to start a legal entity before hiring talent in Estonia?
No, Estonia has a relatively straightforward process for hiring employees or engaging in business activities without establishing a separate legal entity.
What are the specifics of the Estonian market?
Estonia is renowned for its advanced digital infrastructure and e-governance initiatives. It has been at the forefront of the digital revolution, making it an ideal environment for tech-driven businesses and start-ups. Its talent base is relatively cost-effective, but the IT ecosystem is advanced. Most senior developers work as individual contractors.
Culture-wise, what are the things I should keep in mind?
Estonians tend to be reserved and introverted in their demeanour. They may not be as expressive or outgoing as individuals from some other cultures. Don't mistake their reserved nature for disinterest; it is a common cultural trait. Also, Estonians typically value punctuality and expect meetings and appointments to start and end on time. Arriving late without prior notice may be seen as disrespectful.
What are the popular benefits for Estonian employees?
Estonian law mandates paid annual leave for employees. The standard minimum annual leave entitlement is 28 calendar days, which includes weekends. In addition, Estonian employees are entitled to paid sick leave in case of illness or injury, which is typically covered by the employer's social tax contributions. Other popular benefits include gym membership, health insurance and flexible working hours.
Is it legally possible to provide stock options/equity for my Estonian employees?
It is possible to provide stock options or equity to Estonian employees. Estonia has a flexible and business-friendly legal environment that allows companies to offer various forms of employee incentives, including stock options or equity-based compensation, but the rules and regulations can be complex. You may want to consult with a legal expert or accountant to ensure that you are compliant with all applicable laws.
What are the best ways to look for an office space or a coworking space in Tallinn or Estonia in general?
One of the best ways to search for office space or coworking space in Tallinn or Estonia, in general, is to use online resources such as commercial real estate websites, real estate agencies and groups on social networking sites. Also, have a look at our dedicated website for Tallinn, Estonia to see a few hand-picket recommendations regarding the office space, or reach out to us directly.
I’m concerned about the English-speaking abilities of the Estonian candidates. How would you assess their level?
According to the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) 2021, Estonia ranked 8th out of 100 countries in English proficiency, indicating a high level of English language skills among its population, including IT specialists. Besides that, the correspondence with the candidates is always restricted to English. Our recruiters conduct HR calls in English to assess the knowledge of the language.
Can you compare the work ethic between Estonia and the US?
Comparing the work ethic between Estonia and the United States involves considering cultural and societal factors that influence how people approach work and professional life. While Estonians are known for punctuality and time management as well as diligence and hard-work much like in the US, communication styles may differ as Estonians are more direct and concise. In the US, long working hours and limited holiday time are more prevalent compared to Estonia, where a focus on work efficiency and employee well-being often translates into more generous holiday policies.
How much should I pay for a strong senior developer for Estonia, and how much for a lead developer?
The salary for a strong senior developer in Estonia could range from approximately 6,000 EUR to 7,000 EUR per month (gross salary). This range is based on developers with several years of experience and a strong track record of expertise in their specific technology stack. For a lead developer role, the salary can go higher, depending on the level of responsibility and leadership expected. The salary range for a lead developer in Estonia might be around 7,000 EUR to 10,000 EUR per month (gross salary).
How much does it cost to keep an Estonian company operational for the entire year if I want to hire 10 people?
Actually, you don’t need to set up an Estonian Entity, and can conveniently hire employees as long term, permanent contractors, on B2B. It's significantly more cost effective, as there are no needs of renting an office, smaller tax contributions, and no establishment and operating costs. However, if you are interested in setting up Estonian company, here’s a brief summary:
a. opening - around 1,000 EUR
b. operations - below 120 EUR monthly
The rest are just payroll expenses and administrative things.
What would be approximately the cost of an office or a coworking space for 10 people in Tallinn?
Renting a traditional office space in Tallinn can cost anywhere from 8 to 20 EUR per square meter per month. The cost will depend on the location and quality of the office building. For 10 people, you might need an office space of around 100 to 200 square meters, resulting in a monthly cost of approximately 800 to 2,000 EUR.
Coworking spaces in Tallinn offer flexible rental options, which may include hot desks, dedicated desks, or private offices. Coworking memberships can range from 150 to 400 EUR per person per month, depending on the level of amenities and services provided. For 10 people in a coworking space, you might spend around 1,500 to 4,000 EUR per month.
Is there a strong talent pool in C/C++/embedded systems in Tallinn?
Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, has a strong talent pool in C/C++ programming and embedded systems. Estonia, as a whole, has been known for its focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, which has contributed to the development of a skilled tech workforce.
Can you name a couple highly-technological companies from Tallinn?
a. Skype - voice and video calling, messaging, and other communication features
b. Bolt - the European Uber
c. Wise - financial technology (FinTech) company
d. Fortumo -a mobile payments company
e. Guardtime - cybersecurity and data integrity company that provides keyless signature infrastructure (KSI) technology
f. Pipedrive- customer relationship management (CRM) software company
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