Hello, my name is Martin. I am Estonian tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Bolt (European mobility super-app), Estonian Founders Society, Good Deed Education Fund, kood/Jõhvi coding school, Elav Tänav urban movement and Garage48 Hackathons.
I move daily on bike and try to improve our cities to be more people friendly. I try to empower Estonian education system via policy changes and innovative projects. I try make the world better by helping others and doing good. As of November 2024, I am on sabbatical.

My suggestion: Donate 5% of your annual income to impactful charities

April 15, 2024

In April, I submitted an essay to an article competition titled "How to Make Estonia More Successful," organized by Äripäev, Estonia's leading business newspaper. The jury selected my essay as the winner for the 2024 season, awarding me the grand prize of 10,000 euros, which I donated to the Good Deed Foundation. You can read my essay below.

EBS conferred honorary doctorate to Martin Villig

December 07, 2023

At its 35th anniversary gala, EBS conferred honorary doctorates on Nobel Prize laureate in economics and professor at MIT Bengt Robert Holmström, and one of Estonia's most successful tech entrepreneurs, Martin Villig. Read full story from EBS >

Martin's daily cycling and discovery of cargo bikes

April 16, 2023

Martin was recently interviewed about his daily cycling habits, cargo bikes testing and why I stopped driving a car to work?

How Bolt is growing via strong mission to make cities more people friendly?

March 16, 2023

Martin was talking at sTARTUp Day 2023 about Bolt and mission driven growth.

Martin invested to Praktikal - an EdTech making learning physics more engaging

March 15, 2023

Martin and Good Deed Education fund invested into Praktikal, Estonian EdTech company building platform and affordable tools for physics teachers to make learning more engaging, practical and fun.

Martin received "ecosystem award" 2021 from EstBan

March 16, 2022

EstBan awarded the best performers in their community for 2021 and Martin received "Ecosystem Award" for developing Estonian startup ecosystem. I am honored and greateful for this recognition and keep contributing for Estonia. Thanks :)

Martin received "Giving back powerhouse of 2021" award

January 21, 2022

Estonian startup awards 2021 recognized the best entrepreneurs and startups. Martin got an award for "Giving back powerhouse of 2021" for contributions to startup community as President of Founders Society and co-founder of Education Fund and kood/Jõhvi coding school.

Lets build cities for people, not cars

September 15, 2021

Over the last 50 years, most cities have been built for cars. It's time to review this concept and start re-building our cities for people, meaning walking, cycling, micromobility, public transport, lively streets and then cars. To educate our society, improve bike lanes, run various pilot projects and improve our cities, Martin co-founded Elav Tänav (Lively Streets) initiative in Tallinn. Subscribe to our by-weekly newsletter or follow social media, to see how we are doing :)

kood/Jõhvi opened for student applications until 31st of May

May 20, 2021

Jõhvi coding school re-branded to kood/Jõhvi and opened for student admissions. The school will accept 200 students over 18 years and the submission process is fully online - taking memory and logic tests. Please apply before 31st of May 2021. Follow our Facebook page for webinars with cool speakers and other news >

Martin was a host of Estonian Startup Awards Gala 2020

January 14, 2021

As a President of Estonian Founders Society, Martin was a an organizer and co-host of Estonian Startup Awards Gala 2020. The annual gala was opened by Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid and best startups and founders were awarded in 9 categories >