Cultivating Innovation – SEB and kood/Jõhvi Unite to Shape the Future of Education and Entrepreneurship
29.01.2025
On January 20th, 2025, a significant milestone was celebrated at kood/Jõhvi: the grand opening of the SEB Growth Corner. This innovative space, supported by SEB Bank, aims to foster creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurial spirit among students and young talents. Designed to inspire new ideas and support learning, the SEB Growth Corner marks a new chapter in the collaboration between education and industry.
Education Innovation and the Role of Collaboration
To commemorate the opening, a dynamic panel discussion brought together thought leaders and industry experts: Ede Tamkivi, kood/Jõhvi Co-Founder; Lauri Haav, CEO of kood/Jõhvi; Annika Tamm, kood/Jõhvi alumnus; and Sander Aasna, Head of Product Development at SEB. Moderated by Ede, the panel explored the theme of “How can the private sector drive and contribute to education innovation?”
Education Innovation: What It Means
Lauri Haav emphasised that true innovation often comes from outside traditional systems. “kood/Jõhvi was created to address gaps in education and provide a fresh perspective on learning,” he said. This ethos is evident in kood/Jõhvi’s peer-to-peer learning model, which challenges traditional methods by fostering collaboration, problem-solving, and self-driven learning.
From SEB’s perspective, innovation is about creating meaningful solutions for both customers and employees. “For us, kood/Jõhvi represents educational innovation at its best,” said Sander Aasna. “The graduates we hire come with practical experience, the right mindset, and a collaborative attitude – exactly what we need in today’s agile work environment.”
Alumni Success: From Healthcare to Tech
Highlighting kood/Jõhvi’s impact, alumnus Annika Tamm shared her journey from the healthcare field to founding a startup. She credited the programme’s flexibility and emphasis on teamwork: “The people you meet here become your biggest asset. Collaboration is key, and the peer-to-peer model prepares you for the real-world challenges of working in tech.”
Annika also underscored the importance of taking initiative, advising students to embrace opportunities like mock interviews and job shadowing with partner companies like SEB. These experiences not only build confidence but also provide insights into the tech industry.
The Role of SEB in Shaping the Future
SEB has already welcomed several kood/Jõhvi graduates and continues to support students through workshops, job shadowing, and internship programmes like the Development Lab. As Sander noted, “These initiatives are mutually beneficial. Students gain invaluable real-world experience, and we, as an organisation, get talented individuals who are ready to contribute from day one.”
Looking Ahead: Growth and Expansion
As kood/Jõhvi celebrates the opening of the SEB Growth Corner, the future looks bright. With plans to expand to Võru and beyond, kood/Jõhvi aims to provide even more opportunities for students across Estonia and internationally. This growth ensures that the programme remains at the forefront of education innovation, supported by partners like SEB who share a vision for empowering the next generation of tech talent.
SEB’s initiative to create innovation hubs at educational institutions like kood/Jõhvi, University of Tartu, and TalTech represents a commitment to bridging education and entrepreneurship. Allan Parik, CEO of SEB, highlighted the importance of this initiative, saying, “Our goal is to create an environment where new ideas can emerge and thrive. Education and innovation are key drivers of a future-ready economy.”
The SEB Growth Corner at kood/Jõhvi is set to host events, seminars, and even podcast recordings, further connecting learners with real-world opportunities. As Kätlin Merisalu, Head of the Learning Centre at kood/Jõhvi, remarked, “Innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It needs an environment where ideas can grow. This collaboration with SEB is a fantastic step in fostering innovation and aligning learners’ skills with market demands.”
🌱 Interested in starting your tech journey with kood/Jõhvi? Visit study.kood.tech to learn more and apply!