In September, Xolo and e-Residency launched the first e-Revolutionaries competition, a celebration of the entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and agencies who are redefining the way business is done in the digital age. With nearly 300 applications from across the globe, the competition stands as a testament to the boldness, creativity, and resilience of the e-Residency community.
As Kristin Kirštein, Xolo’s Chief Growth Officer, explains: "At Xolo, we believe entrepreneurship should have no borders. The e-Revolutionaries competition highlights the incredible potential of entrepreneurs leveraging e-Residency and digital tools to create innovative, impactful businesses. It’s inspiring to see how this community continues to push boundaries and redefine what’s possible in the global marketplace."
Today, we’re thrilled to announce the winners of this year’s competition, each of whom embodies the spirit of innovation and impact that e-Revolutionaries is all about.
The winners of e-Revolutionaries 2024
- Startup of the Year: Salesforge AI
- Agency of the Year: Devolfs
- Digital Nomad of the Year: KeyMentions
- Special Category Winner: NATPAT
Key trends shaping the future of business
This year’s competition revealed two significant trends that are redefining how businesses operate:
The rise of AI-powered innovation
From Salesforge AI revolutionizing sales pipelines to KeyMentions optimizing Reddit marketing, AI is playing a pivotal role in reshaping industries. Businesses are using AI not just to automate tasks but to create synergy between technology and human expertise. As the AI technology evolves, entrepreneurs should explore how AI can complement their operations, not replace them. The future lies in combining human creativity with AI’s efficiency.
Subscription-based services redefining customer experience
Devolfs has demonstrated how subscription models can make premium design services accessible and scalable, eliminating the inefficiencies of traditional agency workflows.
As subscription models offer a unique way to deliver consistent value while building long-term client relationships, entrepreneurs should consider how they can package their expertise into subscription services for recurring revenue.
Spotlight on the winners
Salesforge AI: Startup of the Year
Salesforge AI is revolutionizing the sales process with its innovative suite of AI-powered tools. By focusing on synergy between human expertise and automation, Salesforge has become an invaluable partner for sales teams worldwide.
"Winning Startup of the Year has put us on the map, from attracting more customers to gaining investor interest," shared the Salesforge team.
Devolfs: Agency of the Year
Devolfs has reimagined design services with its subscription-based model and custom software, DVLFS Hub, making high-quality design as easy and efficient as using a SaaS product.
"Being named Agency of the Year validates our decision to transition to a subscription-based model," says the Devolfs team.
KeyMentions: Digital Nomad of theYear
KeyMentions helps businesses engage with audiences on platforms like Reddit, offering tools that make it easy to navigate non-traditional marketing channels.
"This award shows that our tool is valuable for brands and individuals who want to start Reddit marketing without dealing with the hassle," said founder Michal Hajtáš.
Natpat: e-Revolutionaries Special winner
Natpat has transformed family wellness with its natural, sticker-based solutions like BuzzPatch, making life easier for parents worldwide.
"Winning this category affirms our vision to playfully solve life’s little problems while staying committed to sustainability,"shared the Natpat team.Inspiration for the future
This year’s competition underscores the power of collaboration between e-Residency, Xolo, and the entrepreneurial community. As Kristin Kirštein reflects:
"Each of these winners represents the incredible potential of digital-first businesses. Whether it’s revolutionizing sales, redefining design, or making wellness fun and accessible, they’ve proven that entrepreneurship knows no borders."
We’re excited to see how these businesses continue to innovate, grow, and inspire others in the years to come.
Behind the scenes: the judging process
The finalists and winners were selected by our expert jury based on four key criteria:
- Innovation & Originality: How unique and forward-thinking is the business concept?
- Potential for Impact: Does the company address a meaningful problem or create significant value?
- Scalability and Growth potential: How well can the business model expand to new markets or audiences?
- Market Opportunity: Does the company have a clear understanding of its market and its competitive advantages?
These rigorous criteria ensured that the selected winners not only excelled in their respective categories but also embodied the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation that e-Revolutionaries represents.
Why this competition matters
For Xolo, e-Revolutionaries isn’t just about recognizing outstanding businesses—it’s about fostering a global community of entrepreneurs and innovators. As Kristin Kirštein, Xolo’s Chief Growth Officer explains:
"Through this competition, we’re not just celebrating success stories; we’re highlighting the transformative power of entrepreneurship. e-Residency enables individuals to build borderless businesses, and e-Revolutionaries showcases how these tools can lead to incredible outcomes."
This year’s winners are shining examples of what’s possible when bold ideas meet digital-first tools like e-Residency and Xolo Leap.
How you can be part of next year’s competition
If these stories inspire you, there’s no better time to start preparing for e-Revolutionaries 2025. The first step is to become part of the e-Residency community by starting your own borderless business.
Estonian e-Residency offers entrepreneurs a secure digital identity to establish and manage their companies online, access EU markets, and run their business seamlessly from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re an innovator, a creative, or a digital nomad, e-Residency empowers you to bring your ideas to life on a global stage.
Ready to join the e-Revolution? Start your journey with Xolo Leap to simplify the process of launching and running your e-Residency business.
Learn more about Xolo Leap and e-Residency here→
At Xolo, we’re proud to support entrepreneurs who dare to dream big and create impactful businesses. Congratulations to all the winners of e-Revolutionaries 2024, and stay tuned for updates on next year’s competition!