Schedule
November 14 - 15, 2019
Day 01
November 14, 2019
Startups and Scale ups: Canada Meets Estonian Opportunities
9am
Opening words by Minister of Foreign Trade and Information Technology Kaimar Karu (via video) and Vice Minister of Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication Viljar Lubi
Introduction by: Eric Morrison, Piret Noorhani
9:15am
Scaling Up: Everything You Need to Know About How to Get Connected in Ontario
Why come to Toronto to build the next phase of your business? Who are the key players and how can they help? This session is the definitive guide to scaling up in Ontario. Find some partners, get connected and get going!
Panelists: Bruce Croxon interviews Mark Cohon (Toronto Global), Daniel Silverman (Toronto Global), and Michelle Caers (Crowdmark)
Supported by: Estonian Foundation of Canada
10:00am
It’s True. Estonia is the World's First Digital Society
How did a country in northern Europe that’s smaller than the entire Greater Toronto Area become so digitally advanced and manage to establish four-plus unicorns to boot? Part of the intriguing answer is that they built the backend of Skype which then led to the birth many other inventive and intrepid start-ups. One of the early engineers and managers will share the fascinating story. What lessons we can learn? Are there people to partner with now to build the next "Skype"?
The Estonian Story: Asko Seeba (Mooncascade)
10:20am
Protecting Identity: Keeping It Real
It’s today’s dilemma. How do you know who is real? How do your customers know you are real? This is the paramount question in this digital age that needs to be solved by both business and government. In this session we will examine the world’s leading solutions using AI and Biometrics. What approach is best to e identity and how can we verify this in the mobile age?
Panelists: Kaarel Kotkas (Veriff) and Oleg Shvaikovsky (Nortal), moderated by Eric Morrison
11:00am
Networking / Coffee Break
11:30am
Estonia’s Innovative Business Environment: Believe It
It doesn’t have to be hard. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Find out how Estonia throws down the welcome mat with a start-up boosting ecosystem that anyone can take advantage of. Yes, you can start an EU-based company virtually. In this session, you’ll hear from a Canadian who did it.
Panelists: Maarika Truu (Startup Estonia), Raido Lember (Estonian Investment Agency), and Karen Bennett, moderated by Kai Isand
12:10pm
New Estonian Hubs in Toronto
Estonian Studies Centre/VEMU, Primary event organizer and a proud sponsor of EMW and L44
This vibrant organization preserves and promotes Estonian history and culture. It is a two-way communications link between Estonia and Canada, sharing the best of both cultural worlds between the two countries. It houses the biggest archival, library and museum collection outside of Estonia. We have been a member of the Bloor Street Culture Corridor since 2014. We are thrilled to be a part of Estonian Music Week 2019 and the Latitude44!
VEMU: Piret Noorhani
International Estonian Centre
The International Estonian Centre (IEC), opening in Toronto in 2021, intends to house in it a business accelerator that will foster IT investment and development between Estonia and North America. Ellen Valter, chair of IEC Steering Committee, will speak to the opportunities that this new facility will present to conference participants.
International Estonian Centre: Ellen Valter
12:20pm
Fintech and Open Banking: Valuable Lessons from the EU
Here’s another eye-opener. The EU has advanced open banking regulations. Here you’ll get rare look at just how it can work by this examination of a German/Estonian case. How do these regulations work for fintechs, banks and customers? Would they work in Canada?
Panelists: Lauri Karp (EmformX), Kia Puhm (Desired Path), Roy Kao (Fintech Advisor) and Misha Ghosh (Bondora), moderated by Anita Saar (Estonian Credit Union)
Supported by: Estonian Credit Union
1pm
Lunch
2pm
The World Wide Talent Hunt: It’s Game On
Everyone knows you’re only as good as the people around you. How to find the best people, train them and then keep them close when there is fierce competition all around ready to snatch them away. One of the key answers is to search worldwide, so start here…
Panelists: Tõnis Arro (Teamscope), Triin Mahlakõiv (North Star AI), Marianne Bulger (Prospect.ca), moderated by Kai Isand (Latitude59)
2:40pm
An Amazon Era Retail Survival Guide: Strap on Your Best Strategies and Get Going
Can robots help bricks and mortar stores? How does this work and where do you start?
A company partnering with Walmart and Canadian Tire shows will show us how to fight back in an era where shopping with the click of a mouse seems to be the new normal.
Small Retailer in the Digital Age: Indrek Oolup (Cleveron)
3pm
Networking Break
3:20pm
Up Close and Personal: Founders’ Personal Stories
So where does inspiration come from, and how to make it a reality that fits a market need? How was that first idea born? Who helped and what mistakes got made? This session showcases fascinating human stories behind starting unique early stage companies. Come and meet the founders. You never know, some great investment opportunities may be right in front of you…
Founder's Stories hosted by Kai Isand (Latitude 59) and Brahm Klar (Round13 Capital). Veljo Otsason (Superangel) Founders: Karen Roosileht (Tutor.id), Susie-Ann Viirg (FirmaFitness), Johanna-Mai Riismaa (Zelos), Kaspar Kikerpill (Lumebot), Gregory Lu (Natufia) and Taavi Tammiste (SIRF)
Supported by: Superangel
4:20pm
Conference End - Opening Reception
7:00pm
Getting Serious About Letting Loose
Get your appetite for music and good food in gear at the EMW launch at Archeo in Toronto’s iconic Distillery District. The dinner is not included in the Conference fee but you can buy your tickets here. The ticket includes a scrumptious three-course, prix fixe meal and a music programme with Augie Riik’s Jazz Duo and DJ Vaiko Eplik.
Day 02
November 15, 2019
The Most Advanced Digital Society in the World: Can we be connected and private?
9am
Welcome
9:15am
Digital Government: How Can You Build Trust?
If you build it, will they come? Well, not exactly. How do you convince citizens to trust public e services in the aftermath of Cambridge Analytica and the era of endless hacks? How does the Ontario public feel about digital services? And what’s the path forward to provide better services for the Canadian public? Find out how Estonia overcome these significant obstacles to become the world's first truly digital society.
Panelists: Teresa D'Andrea, (Canadian CIO Office), Greg Wolfond (SecureKey), Kadri Sirg (Helmes) and Linda Mantia (Chair of the Digital and Data Task Force), moderated by Michelle Holland.
10:20am
Cybersecurity: New Tech, New Threats, New Ideas?
As countries become more reliant on digital technology, they also become more vulnerable to new threats. How prepared is Canada to deal with cybersecurity threats? What are these threats? What can we learn from a tiny country living beside a dangerous neighbour, that has become a world leader in cybersecurity? Estonia is the host country of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, which Canada is set to join. What does this mean for Canada? And what's next?
Panelists: MP John McKay, and Siim Alatalu, moderated by Josh Gold
11:00am
Networking / Coffee Break
11:20am
Smart Cities are Connected Cities: Get the Inside Scoop
We all want to live in a city that is smart, but what does that mean? How will it improve our existence?What technologies will be coming to our cities, how will they be used and when will they arrive? Here we will learn from leading firms that are creating new tools and business cases for doing just that. Get ready, there are opportunities here.
Panelists: Carl Pucci (Datel), Chris Raastad (Bolt Mobility), moderated by Michelle Holland
11:55am
Digital Governance
Whats next for the world first digital society? BNN Bloomberg's Amber Kanwar talks to Viljar Lubi (Vice Minister of the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications)
12:30pm
Lunch
1:30pm
2:10pm
e-health: Better, Stronger, Faster
Here’s a radical thought. What if your doctor, pharmacy, therapist and hospital could all see your prescriptions and medical records? Wouldn’t that just be so convenient for the health care consumer? And how much better and more affordable could health care be as a result? This session – presented by the people who built the systems for the Baltic countries - will look at how Canada can get on this path and improve its e health.
Panelists: Andrus Altrov (Industry62), Ian Lording (Infoway), moderated by Anne Remmel
e-voting: How Does Estonia Do It?
Canada just went through a federal election and the age-old question is how do we get more people to vote? Imagine if 43% of population could vote from home, wherever in the world that happens to be? Would it change the outcome? Would more of us vote? Could we trust the outcome? Yup, you guessed it. Estonia has some answers.
Arne Koitmäe (Estonian Electoral Office) interviewed by Chris Alexander (Politician, former minister, diplomat)
2:40pm
Networking / Coffee Break
2:55pm
It’s Timely, It’s Relevant, It’s Data Privacy in the Digital Age
This could arguably be called the issue of our times. It can raise hackles on the bravest among us. Who can use your data, what can it be used for and how do we keep it safe in this rather daunting era of surveillance capitalism? Fear not, this session presents some working solutions.
Aaron Barter (Waterfront Toronto), Raul Kaidro (RaulWater), moderated by Peter Poolsaar
3:35pm
e-learning: The Brains Behind Some Big Ideas
We may as well face it and yes, embrace it! The kids are online and they’re not going anywhere. How does distance learning change education? How can this be a valuable and effective learning resource? In this session we’ll talk to some smart and successful innovators in this growing field.
Panelists: Karen Roosileht (Tutor.id), Dalal Al-Waheidi (WE Charity), Nazra Noushad (The Knowledge Society), moderated by Anne Remmel
4:05pm
Conference End and EMW Promo
Eric Morrison and Tom Treumuth
Estonian Music Week begins