Borderless by Design: Start & Run Your EU Company 100% Online with Estonia
Curious how to build and scale a company across borders - without being tied to one location?
At HAN - Holland Alumni Network, we support international students, alumni, and professionals building their careers and businesses in the Netherlands - while staying connected to opportunities beyond borders.
In 2021, during our Here2Start Fest, we collaborated with Estonia as a guest country to explore how different ecosystems support entrepreneurs globally. This session builds on that connection thanks to our collaboration with the Republic of Estonian e-Residency Program.
As a community and international professional network, we act as a bridge - connecting talent with ecosystems, ideas, and opportunities that support their growth. Because many of us are not only building locally - we are navigating international careers, exploring different markets, and looking for flexible ways to create and grow.
In this session, we invite you to discover how Estonia’s fully digital business environment and e-Residency programme make it possible to start, manage, and grow an EU-based company entirely online.
Estonia is the world’s most digital country and the first to offer e-Residency — a government-issued digital identity that enables entrepreneurs to establish and run a company remotely, 100% online and in English. Whether you're building a remote-first startup, a consultancy, an investment vehicle, or a global SME, Estonia offers a transparent, efficient, and founder-friendly business environment.
Instead of spending time on paperwork and administration, founders can focus on what truly matters: building products, growing teams, and expanding into international markets.
This session is not about comparing countries, but about expanding what’s possible for you as an international founder.
What we’ll cover
What is e-Residency and who is it for
How to apply for e-Residency
How to establish an Estonian company fully online
Practicalities: business banking, service providers, and ongoing compliance
How corporate taxation works for Estonian companies
What makes Estonia’s startup ecosystem globally competitive
When e-Residency makes sense — and when it might not
Who is this for?
International professionals and founders exploring flexible ways to start or structure their business
Freelancers, consultants, and remote-first entrepreneurs working with international clients
Early-stage founders looking to build and operate a company across borders
Students and recent graduates considering entrepreneurship as a career path
Anyone curious about alternative business structures that support a global lifestyle
If you’re navigating where and how to build your business as an international founder, this session will help you explore what’s possible.
Whether you’re still shaping your ideas or already planning your next venture, you’ll gain a practical understanding of how Estonia can support your entrepreneurial ambitions — from anywhere in the world.
We’ll close the session with a live Q&A, so you can ask your questions and explore how this opportunity could fit your own journey.