Karin Künnapas

Karin Künnapas is a dedicated individual who is spearheading the creation of a distinctive self-learning programming school in Jõhvi, Estonia, aimed at enhancing the quantity and quality of IT talent and revolutionizing the education sector in the country. With a strong background in operations, international project management, and extensive experience in organizing large-scale events, Karin demonstrates exceptional attention to detail and remarkable problem-solving abilities.

Over the past 8 years, Karin has been actively engaged with startups, gaining insights from both the investor perspective during her tenure at the Estonian Business Angels Network and the startup viewpoint while serving with the European Innovation Academy. At Civitta, as part of the startup team, she orchestrated a variety of projects and programs, including initiatives like Ajujaht, Estonia's largest business idea competition, and non-equity accelerator, among others. Her involvement in mentoring programs for scaling up businesses, investor readiness programs, and inspiring female entrepreneurship showcases her commitment to nurturing startup founders and driving positive changes within the education sphere.

With a solid educational foundation that includes a BSc in Economics and Business Administration from Rīgas Ekonomikas augstskola - Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, a BA in History from the University of Tartu, and a Certificate from the Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service at Georgetown University, Karin possesses a diverse skill set that blends business acumen with historical insights and philanthropic expertise.

Karin's professional journey is rich with impactful roles, including her current position as the Co-Director at Jõhvi Tehnoloogiakool. Previously, she has served in various capacities at esteemed organizations such as CIVITTA, Heli Kirjastus, CleanTechNews, European Innovation Academy, EstBAN, and more. Her roles have encompassed senior consultancy, business development, program development, operations management, and growth hacking, showcasing her versatility and proficiency in diverse domains.

Passionate about supporting startup founders and reshaping the education sector, Karin Künnapas embodies a forward-thinking approach and a zeal for driving positive change in the tech and entrepreneurial landscape.