The “Valgamaa Entrepreneurship Award” competition has been organised by the Valgamaa Development Agency since 2008, with the aim of recognising Valgamaa entrepreneurs who have contributed to the development of the county through their good reputation and active activities.
This year's competition received 39 a big thank you to all who have submitted their entries to the Valga County Entrepreneurs of Excellence competition!
Category “Starter of the year” is awarded to a company that has been operating for up to 3 years. The company is characterised by development, innovative products, services or ideas.
The nominees for Valgamaa Starter of the Year are:
- TammeLeek OÜ
- OÜ Kadi Kausid
- RR Workshop OÜ
- Bag of goods kirbukas OÜ
- OÜ RMFOOD
- Milana Studio OÜ
The starter of the year in Valga County 2025 is a distinctive eatery that opened its doors in 2023 and has quickly won the hearts of locals and visitors alike. In addition, it offers delicious starters, desserts and a quality drinks menu, creating a modern and cosy meeting place in the heart of the city. The restaurant was voted „Estonia's best pizza restaurant“ in a popular vote this year, bringing the small town great recognition and attention.
Valgamaa Starter of the Year 2025 is
OÜ RMFOOD - Malmizza pizza restaurant!
Category ”Innovator of the Year” The award recognises companies that have made technological or organisational innovations in products/services in the last 3 years.
The nominees for Valgamaa ”Innovator of the Year” are:
- Southeast-Estonian meetings - Põim Kama, Triin Rätsep, Kerti Vissel
- Horos OÜ
- Hummuli Agro OÜ
- OÜ Pühajärve Boat Harbour
- Missile Base R-12
The Innovator of the Year 2025 is the company that has seen the potential to take action and bring to life a place long forgotten by others. It has caught the eye by offering innovative services, through which it has introduced the Valgamaa region across Estonia and internationally.
Valga County Innovator of the Year is Rocket Base R-12
Category ”Service Company of the Year” The award recognises a company operating in the service sector, which is characterised by a high level of service, diversity of services, originality and attractiveness.
The nominees for Valgamaa “Service Company of the Year” are:
- Müügiekspert OÜ
- OÜ Mehka Eesi
- OÜ Elektroman
- OÜ Liivimaa Pharmacies
- OÜ Kadi Kausid
- Marja farm OÜ
- Kaasiku farm OÜ
- SA Tehvandi Sports Centre
- Cranes OÜ
- Karuse Invest OÜ
Service Company of the Year 2025 is a company that has been providing its services since 1999. In addition to its day-to-day work, it has contributed to charity as a supporter of the “Home Feeling” show. The company is highly appreciated as a fast, correct and professional service provider.
The Service Company of the Year 2025 in Valga County is Elektroman OÜ!
The Small Business of the Year category is awarded to a manufacturing company with a competitive business activity, fewer than 50 employees and more than 3 years” experience.
The nominees for Valgamaa Small Business of the Year 2025 are:
- Kelts OÜ
- P-Tech OÜ
- Astormat OÜ
- Arel Plus OÜ
- OJA EHITUS OÜ
- OÜ Finlaid OÜ
- OÜ Otepää Lihatööstus Edgar
Small Business of the Year 2025 Most production is exported to Europe and Asia. The company employs 14 people and has an annual turnover of over €6 million. The Keen-based planing mill produces and sells building and finishing materials from Nordic softwood.
OÜ Finlaid is the ”Small Business of the Year 2025” in Valga County.
The Large Enterprise of the Year category is awarded to a manufacturing company with a competitive business activity, more than 50 employees and more than 3 years of operation.
The nominees for the Valga County Large Company of the Year are:
- OÜ Combiwood
- Rapala Estonia AS
- AS SAMI Production
- AS Jumek
- Hummuli Agro OÜ
The company employs 123 people and has invested approximately EUR 8 million in the construction of the new plant, which has increased production efficiency, introduced innovative technologies and demonstrated a commitment to developing entrepreneurship in Valga County.
AS Sami's production will be the biggest product of the year in 2025 in Valga County.
SPECIAL PRICES:
This year, the company brought its production to Valga County, which has already created more than 100 jobs. Of the total production, 75% is destined for the US market, with exports to 42 countries.
The 2025 Special Award ”Labour Market Stimulator” goes to Rapala Eesti AS,
In Valga County, there is a company that leaves no one indifferent, both small and large are fascinated, people come with their families, friends, collectives from all over the county and all over Estonia. The company offers the opportunity to see exotic animals of 55 different species.
2025 Special Award ”Provider of Special Experiences” Kaasiku Talu OÜ,
Entrepreneurs put their backs together and did something that has never been done here before.
The 2025 Special Award ”South-East Estonia Advocates” is given to the organisers of the South-East Estonia Dinners.
Põim Kama, Triin Rätsep, Kerti Vissel
Every year at the beginning of September, the Valga County Development Agency organizes a treasure hunt to celebrate the birthday of Valga County, where treasure maps are hidden in the county and the finder of the treasure map wins a treasure bag filled with products/services of Valga County companies and organizations. Anneli Kattai, head of the Valgamaa Development Agency, thanks the companies that have helped to fill the treasure bags.
- Lilli restaurant - Maarika Kütt
- Conspirator OÜ - Anne Parmas
- Nõuni shop - Kristiina Liivika Tamm
- Sereno Reisid OÜ - Tiina Tedresaar
- Murimäe Vein OÜ - Janika Ilves
- Margii Beauty - Margit Liblik
- Sime Beds OÜ - Astrid Pulk
- MTÜ Sportlik Eesti/ Triathlon Academy - Margus Lepik
- Valgamaa Spordiliit MTÜ - Tiit Kattai
- Lacquer Ilustuudio OÜ - Girli Vasiljev
- Atria Estonia AS - Meelis Laande
- AS GMP Group - Marilis Jaakson
- Valga Puu OÜ - Andres Olesk
- Jansa OÜ - Janek Sakkis’
- A-Karuse AS - Allain Karuse
- Rohepõllu OÜ - Hilma Solbaja
- Otepää municipality - Jorma Riivald
- Valga municipality - Monika Rogenbaum
- Tõrva municipality - Helen Elias
The Valgamaa Development Agency coordinates the project “Entrepreneurial Youth in South Estonia”, which will hold a “Month of Meetings: young people and employers” across South Estonia in November. In Valga County, 11 companies/organisations participated in the Month of Meetings. The kindergartens and schools in Valga County carried out 33 visits, with more than 585 young people taking part.
The Valgamaa Development Agency would like to acknowledge and thank the companies and organisations in Valgamaa that have opened their doors to young people in South Estonia and brought together young people and employers. Rasmus Onkel, Project Manager of the Valgamaa Development Agency, and Alice Konsberg, Project Manager of the Valgamaa Development Agency, would like to thank all the participating companies and organisations.
- Valga, Otepää and Tõrva Fire Brigades - Maarja Ainsoo
- Shroomwell OÜ - Triin Pärn
- Valga municipality - Kristi Põldvee
- Tõrva Municipality - Helen Elias
- Ursuit Baltics AS - Piret Granovski
- Lacquer Ilustudio - Girli Vasiljev
- Helme Pension AS - Natalja Teepere
- AS Valga Hospital - Kadi Valtsov
- Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund Valgamaa Department - Pille Mumm
See the gallery: Valgamaa Business Awards I Photographer Andrus Liivamäe