The Art of Resilient Leadership: “The Kintsugi Edge” Captivates Top Executives at Estonian Mastermind Summit
In the serene setting of historic Palmse Manor, nestled within Estonia’s breathtaking Lahemaa National Park, an elite gathering of international executives and entrepreneurs recently convened for the highly anticipated Silva Hunt Mastermind Summit. This unique leadership retreat, situated just 80 kilometers from Tallinn, offered participants an environment that “stimulates creativity and strategic thinking” amid Estonia’s lush forests and tranquil landscapes.
The summit opened with a powerful keynotes that set the tone for the entire event. Liina Vahtras, Managing Director of Estonian e-residency and Member of Management Board of Enterprise Estonia welcomed the audience with exclusive look behind the scenes of e-residency and shared insights into the future of public services in Estonia. Business in Tech CEO Damir Tomicic delivered the opening address titled “The Kintsugi Edge of Leadership: Celebrating Imperfections and Transformations,” drawing on his impressive 30-year career building and scaling companies globally. The keynote’s central metaphor “Kintsugi”, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, brilliantly illustrated how embracing imperfections and transformative experiences creates stronger, more authentic leadership.
Attendees, representing some of Europe’s most innovative companies and startups, responded with enthusiasm to the presentation’s message that true leadership excellence emerges from navigating challenges rather than avoiding them. The keynote aligned perfectly with the summit’s broader theme of normalizing and learning from failure in entrepreneurship.
“The response to the Kintsugi concept was remarkable,” remarked Damir Tomicic. “These accomplished executives immediately connected with the idea that our leadership journeys are more valuable and distinctive because of the challenges we’ve overcome.”
Following the keynote, participants engaged in intensive mastermind sessions led by Thomas Bothe, international executive coach and trainer, to address specific business challenges, expert-led workshops, and unique cultural experiences including Estonia’s beloved sauna traditions and guided wilderness explorations. The combination of high-level strategic discussions with authentic cultural immersion created an atmosphere where meaningful connections flourished beyond typical networking events.
Latvian entrepreneur Artjoms Fokejevs, CEO of Alps2Alps Ski Transfers, introduced the concept behind the global travel platform Alps2Alps. Kirsti Priivits from Invest in Estonia branch of EIS outlined the key funding options available to founders and growing businesses in the European Union. Tiago Berbert from Brazil opened up the world of live-streaming and shared his expertise on TikTok as a powerful platform for founders.
Silva Hunt, known for providing premium e-Residency services in Estonia, hosts these bi-annual mastermind gatherings as part of their commitment to fostering a community of forward-thinking entrepreneurs. Estonia’s reputation as Europe’s digital leader and startup hub boasting the highest number of unicorns per capita provided the perfect backdrop for discussions on innovation and resilient leadership.
As the summit concluded, participants departed with not only strategic insights but also a powerful new framework for leadership: embracing imperfection as a catalyst for growth and viewing challenges as opportunities for transformation.
The essence of the Kintsugi Edge.