Heidi Kakko

Board Member, University of Tartu

Heidi Kakko is a professional in early-stage investments and developing startups and growth companies. Also, she advises the Prime Minister of Estonia as an expert member of the Research and Development Council. Heidi chairs the Council of UniTartu Ventures, and serves as a member of the Council of the University of Tartu. She was engaged as the partner of BaltCap Growth Fund, and a fund manager of an early-stage VC fund (Estonian Development Fund and its venture arm SmartCap). She has initiated the Estonian Venture Capital Association (EstVCA) and run the Business Angels network EstBAN. Heidi has been developing the Estonian venture capital market and startups since 2008. For over 15 years, she has been actively participating in financing and acquiring companies – for more than 10 years she worked on corporate advisory and finance at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Heidi graduated from the University of Tartu, specializing in international economics. She is an AIESEC Alumna and has earned out the title of a Senator of Junior Chamber International in 2011.