2391: Sten Tamkivi: From Skype to Plural Platform - A Journey of Tech Leadership

In today's Tech Talks Daily Podcast, we're coming to you from Latitude 59 in Estonia, hosting an enlightening conversation with the prominent Sten Tamkivi. A stalwart in the tech scene from an early age, Sten established the first digital media agency in Estonia when he was just 18 years old, and played a significant role in Skype's monumental $8.5B sale to Microsoft. Now, Sten is pushing the boundaries of the tech industry with his Plural Platform, where he invests in groundbreaking tech companies at their infancy. Through his multi-family office, Taavet+Sten, he's also making remarkable strides outside of early tech. In our chat today, we'll explore the culture of founders supporting founders, Europe's pivotal role in the global tech scene, and the lessons gleaned from the evolution of Estonia's tech landscape. With Sten, we venture into the world of venture capitalism, challenging the conventional hierarchy and creating a scalable network of peers committed to nurturing the next generation of tech builders. Through his work, he hopes to generate a GDP-level impact on Europe and foster a product-building mindset among the upcoming tech entrepreneurs. I learn how Sten's investment strategy via Plural Platform focuses on the earliest stages of legendary tech companies. His previous work includes founding Teleport (acquired by Topia in 2017), and an 8-year journey with Skype from its startup phase to reaching 300M active users and a $8.5B exit to Microsoft. An active voice for entrepreneurship, tech education, and an open, creative society, Sten continues to shape the future of European tech. Join us as we delve into Sten's inspiring journey and vision, sharing unique insights and exploring innovative strategies. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, seasoned tech professional, or simply a tech enthusiast, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.