Free Founder Office Hours in Tallinn
Founder-to-founder support from a Techstars alum & mentor
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to build companies, participate in global accelerator programs, and work alongside founders across multiple startup ecosystems.
I’ve gone through Techstars twice (including serving as a mentor), participated in programs such as Microsoft Accelerator and The Junction in Tel Aviv, and spent years building and supporting startups in Berlin, Sydney, Las Vegas, Tel Aviv, and Valencia.
Recently, I moved to Estonia to build DogBase, and as I become more involved in the local ecosystem, I want to give something back in a practical, grounded way.
This is a new initiative I’m starting in 2026 as part of getting more involved in the Tallinn startup community.
That’s why I’m opening free, in-person founder office hours in Tallinn.
What are these office hours are
These sessions are informal, one-on-one conversations with founders who want a clear, honest perspective from someone who’s been through multiple stages of building startups.
There’s no pitching required and no agenda beyond what’s useful for you.
If I can help — I will.
If I can’t — I’ll be honest and, where possible, point you in the right direction.
Topics we can cover
- MVP and early product decisions
- Technical architecture and scaling tradeoffs
- Accelerator strategy (Techstars and others)
- Fundraising preparation and investor conversations
- Founder decision-making under uncertainty
- Relocating and building a startup in Europe
- Anything else you might wanto cover
You don’t need traction or funding. Fundamental questions are enough.
Who this is for
- Early-stage founders
- Technical or solo founders
- Builders considering accelerator programs
- Founders new to Estonia or the EU ecosystem
- Anyone else in the startup space
Who this is not for
- Sales pitches
- Agencies or outsourced development requests
- Recruiting or hiring discussions
Format & logistics
- Location: In person, Tallinn
- Duration: 30–45 minutes
- Format: 1:1 conversations
- Availability: Limited slots each week to keep sessions focused and meaningful
Exact location details are shared after booking.
About me (quick context)
In addition to building and mentoring startups, I’ve also worked as a search-and-rescue dog handler — an experience that taught me the value of direct, practical support when the stakes are high.
Before DogBase, I co-founded multiple tech ventures and supported founders across different ecosystems. That blend of experiences shapes how I approach these office hours.
That mindset of paying it forward — something I experienced deeply through Techstars, both as a founder and later as a mentor — is what this initiative is rooted in.
- Techstars founder (2×) and mentor
- Microsoft Accelerator alumnus
- The Junction (Tel Aviv) alumnus
- Founder of DogBase (based in the USA/Estonia)
- Senior software engineer, CTO, and repeat founder
Why I’m doing this
Many of the most valuable moments in my startup journey came from people who took the time to sit down, listen, and share what they had learned — often without expecting anything in return.
That mindset of paying it forward, which I experienced deeply through Techstars — both as a founder and later as a mentor — is what this initiative is rooted in.
How to book
If you don’t see a time that works, feel free to reach out directly.
Looking forward to meeting more founders building in Tallinn.
—
Almog Koren
Founder, DogBase