Last Thursday, Dealum won the Startup of the Year award at the Tartu Entrepreneurship Awards gala. The recognition is a proud moment for Dealum as we steadily revolutionize the investment management and fundraising experience for startups and investors.
Our journey to success
Founded in Tartu in 2017 by IT entrepreneurs Rein Lemberpuu and Rain Kivisik, Dealum was created to simplify and enhance the process of connecting startups with angel investors. Initially, our focus was on addressing the disjointed and manual methods of investment applications, but now the platform covers the whole deal life cycle from scouting and evaluation to post-investment communication. We currently host over 90,000 startups and 25,000 investors globally.
Dealum’s software addresses a critical workflow in the investment process by offering a comprehensive platform where investors and startups can connect, exchange information, and communicate more efficiently and transparently. Dealum's goal is not merely rapid growth but long-term impact.
"We are an impact company; our goal is to improve the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem," explains Seren Rumjancevs, the CEO.
Dealum’s clients include angel investor associations and accelerators, making the platform an important part of the entrepreneurial ecosystems in North America and Europe. Despite our international reach, the company remains deeply rooted in the hometown of Tartu, Estonia, where our team continues to innovate and grow.
By improving the investment process for all parties involved, Dealum has already become an essential tool for many angel investor groups globally.
Reflecting on the award
The recognition validates Dealum's mission of improving the early-stage investment landscape and helps us confidently continue the chosen path. Seren Rumjancevs shared her thoughts: "This award will propel us forward to keep improving the fundraising and investor communication experience for angels and founders alike. Our work is not yet done and the recognition fuels our determination to continue innovating and supporting the global startup ecosystem."
Seren also emphasized the importance of the community in Dealum's success: "Tartu has been the perfect environment for us to grow as a company. The support and feedback from the local startup community helped tremendously in the early days of the company. Combining Tartu’s entrepreneurial spirit with a global outlook has given us the foundation to build something truly impactful."
As we look to the future, Dealum aims to maintain its impact-driven growth. While we don’t plan on exponential expansion, our team will continue to grow in the coming years. With the continued focus on improving the entrepreneurial ecosystem and maintaining strong customer relationships, Dealum is well-positioned to remain a leader in the early-stage investment management space.
