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Sander Sillavee
Marketing & Partnerships Lead at Startup Estonia 👾
Professional Background
Sander Sillavee is an accomplished marketing professional thriving in the intersection of community building, co-creation, and teamwork. Currently, he serves as the Marketing & Partnerships Lead at Startup Estonia, a pivotal initiative committed to transforming Estonia into the world's premier destination for startups. Sander's enthusiasm for fostering startup ecosystems is evident in his active involvement and support of innovative strategies that promote entrepreneurship throughout the region.
Sander's diverse career encompasses a wealth of experience in marketing across various sectors. He began his journey in the tourism industry, serving as a Marketing Specialist for the Foundation Pärnumaa Tourism, where he played a key role in promoting the area's attractions and opportunities. His foray into the education sector saw him at the University of Tartu Pärnu College, where he leveraged storytelling and communication strategies to enrich enrollment and awareness initiatives.
An exciting chapter of Sander's career unfolded in Silicon Valley, where he contributed to marketing and sales efforts for WeTravel, a dynamic startup based in San Francisco. This experience not only honed his marketing acumen but also deepened his understanding of innovation and the startup landscape.
Education and Achievements
Sander’s educational background reflects his commitment to academic excellence and professional development. He recently earned a Master of Arts in Social Sciences with a specialization in Communication Management from the University of Tartu. This advanced degree has equipped him with a robust framework to navigate the complexities of communication in today’s fast-paced environment, further enhancing his contributions at Startup Estonia.
Prior to his master's degree, Sander completed applied higher education from the University of Tartu Pärnu College, focusing on Tourism & Hotel Management. This foundation laid the groundwork for his future ventures in marketing, emphasizing the importance of strategic communication and customer engagement within the hospitality and tourism sectors.
Notable Contributions
Throughout his career, Sander has demonstrated remarkable leadership and organizational skills. He has taken on several key roles that enhanced Estonia's startup ecosystem. Sander has lent his expertise as an MC at Startup Week Tallinn and served as the Curator for Startup Digest, contributing to the promotion of events and initiatives vital for the startup community.
He has also thrived as the Head Organizer at Startup Week Tallinn, where he oversaw extensive planning and execution of one of Estonia's most significant entrepreneurial events, successfully connecting aspiring entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors. Earlier in his career, Sander successfully served in various roles at Startup Estonia, including Social Media Specialist and Communications and Marketing Assistant, each time leaving a mark that reflected his dedication and innovative spirit.
In addition to his work at Startup Estonia, Sander's previous position as Marketing Wiz at WeTravel allowed him to merge his passion for travel and technology while focusing on marketing strategies that highlighted the platform's unique offerings in the travel sector.
Sander’s journey illustrates not only his successful trajectory in the marketing landscape but also his commitment to uplifting and nurturing the community and startups around him. His combination of experience, academic credentials, and passion for co-creation positions him as a key player in Estonia’s evolving startup scenery.