We’re very proud to announce that last Thursday Jomi Interactive took home 2nd place at the prestigious Ajujaht (Brain hunt). Ajujaht is Estonia’s leading entrepreneurial competition, with over 250 business ideas competing for cash prizes and a chance of being crowned as the best business idea in the republic.
Last October, the panel, comprising crème de la crème of Estonian entrepreneurs, narrowed down 25 most promising ideas from the lot to participate in Ajujaht’s development programme where the teams had a chance to learn about business model selection, product development, and sales and marketing.
CEO Andre and CBO Kadri after making it to top 25
(photo courtesy of ajujaht.ee)
The teams were also paired with mentors and idols. Jomi’s team was fortunate enough to be mentored by Ivar Siimar, a business angel and seed stage investment manager, most recently known for being one of the founders of a thriving Estonian start-up, Click & Grow. For our idol, we were able to snatch up Yrjö Ojasaar. Yrjö is a renowned lawyer and an entrepreneur, advising both Fortune 500 companies and start-ups on matters of commercial law and corporate finance. Jomi also owes a lot of its success in the competition to Jens Kasemets, a former Skype project manager cum serial entrepreneur, who spent more than a reasonable amount of his personal time advising us.
Jomi's team being mentored by Ivar Siimar (left) and Yrjö Ojasaar (right)
(photo courtesy of ajujaht.ee)
In late March 2013, the teams were narrowed down further to 10 quarter-finalists, who continued to compete in the weekly TV show on Estonia’s national public television station, ETV. The format was to give each team a weekly tutoring session, followed by an assignment, which ranged from selling overprized bread to creating a commercial for their product.
Although the critique by the panel was at times harsh, they managed to motive Jomi’s team to work even harder, and eventually make it all the way to 2nd place on the podium. For this effort, the team won a cheque for 10,500 € which is sure to come in handy in bringing the best possible product to the consumers.
Kadri and Andre in front of the panel during the live broadcast of Ajujaht 2013 finals
(photo courtesy of ajujaht.ee)
Jomi’s tip of the hat goes out to our wonderful partners & friends: domestic electronic design firm Hedgehog, Trinidad Consulting, 7Blaze, Velvet Creative Alliance, Tallinna Vesi (Tallinn Water), KOR Water, Sparta, Peter Murdmaa, and Mari-Liis Lind.
Jomi's team being childishly ecstatic for winning 2nd place
(photo courtesy of ajujaht.ee)