Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more

The Funderbeam Blog

Articles, interviews, case studies announcements and more.
Welcome to The Funderbeam Blog.

insights
March 20, 2023

In the Hot Seat – Helmes

by Jaanika Merilo

Thank you for taking our Hot Seat Andres Kaljo, Partner and member of the management board at Helmes. Helmes is privately trading on Funderbeam.

How did the year 2022 turn out for your company?

It was the strongest year ever in our history, both in terms of growth and profitability. Also, our customer satisfaction and employee well-being, and engagement KPIs were exceptionally high. 

What was the main challenge of the year?

The main challenge was adapting to the rapidly changing economic and geopolitical environment. Despite the difficulties faced by businesses worldwide, we were able to adapt and continue operations safely and effectively. Our efforts paid off, as we were able to realize significant growth over the course of the year.  

Did the events in the world have a significant impact on your company, and how?

The war directly impacted us as we decided to close our development office in Minsk and open two new offices – in Warsaw (Poland) and Tbilisi (Georgia). Making these significant changes in just a couple of months and supporting our employees through these challenges was an intense experience.  

Did your company manage to receive the expected results?

Yes, I believe we achieved a lot more than we were initially expecting. Working in such a company as Helmes is both a humbling and inspiring experience.

What is the outlook for your sector for this year?

The cooling economy will also impact the software development sector, but most likely to a smaller degree, as the need for our services remains strong even during economic downturns. Many companies see smart digitalisation as a strategic opportunity to build a more resilient, well-optimized, and agile organization. We can say that our value proposition is even more attractive in tough times. As we look ahead to the future, we are optimistic and confident in our ability to continue growing and succeeding as a company. We are excited to take on new challenges and opportunities and to continue to provide value to our customers and the best working environment for our employees.  

What are the goals for 2023 so you would look back on December 31st and say, “it truly went as expected”?

First, if both our employees and clients would feel that we are the best partner for their growth. We just received a high partnership quality evaluation from our new customer CERN, and just today, on the 16th of March 2023, we won the best employer experience award in Estonia, so l can see that we are on the right track. Financially, we would also like to grow this year. 

What is the main “New Year’s promise” for shareholders?

We will continue running our company safely and sustainably also in the future. We play the long game.  

What companies or leaders have been your “personal heroes” this year?

A lot of our own Helmes people have been my personal heroes this year. I am incredibly proud of our team and their hard work, dedication, and resilience in the face of adversity. Their efforts enabled us not only to maintain achieved levels but to thrive during difficult times. On a global scale, I would highlight, of course, Mr. Zelenski, who has been leading the Ukrainian people in their fight against the aggressor and who has been able to unite western countries in this extremely challenging time. They are fighting not only for just themselves but for all of us.  

What are the 3 most used applications on your mobile phone and which one you “couldn’t live without”?

Audible is probably one of the most used apps on my mobile. I like to have long walks or go running, and I like to listen to audiobooks then. Some news or health apps would probably be at the top as well. 

Read Next
The information about the investment opportunities profiled on this website is provided for general information and marketing purposes only and should not be considered an invitation or inducement to engage in any investment activity. Complete and comprehensive information about an investment opportunity is only available only to investors who have been approved by a Funderbeam group entity.

You should ensure you carefully read the Risk Disclosure Statement before deciding to proceed with any investment or transaction, including making a purchase of securities via the Marketplace. Funderbeam has taken steps to ensure that company and securities offering information is clear, fair and not misleading in accordance with its internal verification procedures. Funderbeam does not provide investment advice or any recommendation to invest. Any investment opportunity on this website should not be considered as an offer to the public and is not directed at or offered to anyone to whom it may not be so directed or offered, or located in a jurisdiction where it is unlawful to do so.

It is important to note that funds are raised, investments are made and trade orders are placed through three investment firm service provider entities: Venturebeam Markets AS (VBAS) (authorised and regulated by the Estonian Financial Supervision Authority under permit 4.1-1/212), Venturebeam Markets Limited (VML (authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority under FRN 794918), and Venturebeam Markets Pte. Ltd., (VB Pte) (licensed and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under Capital Markets Services (CMS) license CMS100863). VBAS and VML are MIFID investment firms.

This page provides you with an overview of the services provided by different entities belonging to Funderbeam group. In the pages of this website, platform, and documents located on these pages (save to where referred otherwise), we generally refer to the group, which includes group of entities being direct or indirect subsidiaries of Funderbeam Ltd, including VBAS, VML, and VB Pte, as “Funderbeam”, “we”, “us” or “our”.

A Funderbeam client (whether investor or company) is a client of the service provider and under the protection of the requirements of the regulator under which that service provider operates: An EEA client’s service provider is VBAS, a UK/ non-EEA/ non-Singapore client’s service provider is VML, and a Singapore client’s service provider is VB Pte.

The applicable Funderbeam service provider has, prior to the offering of the investment offer on its Platform, verified from public registries in reasonable levels of due diligence, notwithstanding the due diligence which is also performed by the Lead Investor where applicable, which will cover at the minimum: a. that the project owner has no criminal record in respect of infringements of national rules in fields of commercial law, insolvency law, financial services law, anti-money laundering law, fraud law or professional liability obligations in all jurisdictions where practicable for such checks to be conducted; b. that the project owner is not established in a non-cooperative jurisdiction, or in a high-risk third country as set out by the Financial Action Task Force (“FATF”), and/or other government directives in jurisdictions where Venturebeam is operating.

The Marketplace is operated as an organised market by VB Pte., in Singapore as a Recognised Market Operator (RMO) under the supervision of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. VBAS and VML are Trading Members of the RMO’s Marketplace. Access to the Marketplace for EEA and non-EEA clients is only provided by and through such clients’ service provider (ie VBAS or VML). The Marketplace does not provide services directly to investors outside Singapore.

With respect to any securities or investments offered by a US domiciled Fundraising Company, by visiting this site you confirm you are not a US resident or US person (as defined in Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933) and you understand and agree that you are not acquiring any Investments for the account or benefit of any such US resident or US person. No investment opportunity in a US domiciled Fundraising Company is directed at US persons.