Computer engineer, e-resident and Community Leader Stefano Amorelli's e-Residency journey from Sicily to Estonia
Stefano’s a perfect example of the 'local e-resident' as well as the positive impact location-independent digital business creation brings.
The journey from e-resident to local is becoming an increasingly well-trodden path. But Stefano Amorelli’s entrepreneurial story began in his native Sicily, long ago. That’s longer than most, given that he started coding when he was seven years old, and has been following his passion ever since
“I studied computer engineering in Turin,” he told me, “but even back then it was challenging handling business there. I was doing some research, because I have always worked remotely. I soon learned that Estonia was the leading country in terms of not only technology, but also how business could be run.”
Forming his Estonian private limited company via e-Residency in 2019 left Stefano free to travel. He spent time in the Spanish Canary Islands, and travelled to work alongside clients in his focus areas of AI, Cybersecurity, FinTech, and GreenTech.
I caught up with Stefano virtually to talk about his e-Residency journey and plans. As soon as he popped up on my screen, I saw with my own eyes evidence that he truly embodies the ‘local e-resident’. Stefano was wearing his e-Residency Spokesperson hoodie from his home-office in Tallinn.
Stefano especially enjoys working with clients in the startup phase. He can immerse himself in the energy and drive of the early days, and offer his senior expertise at exactly the moment it is needed. This level of commitment has led Stefano to spend time in Dallas and then in Silicon Valley. He helps, hires, and leads teams of engineers, and builds alongside founders, for however long his input is required.
“My last client, I worked with them since before they formed the company. In one year, we reached the stage of handling millions of dollars worth of credit card transactions onboard airplanes,” he explained.
“There are situations where I work as a fractional CTO, depending on the needs of the startup. For example, maybe they don’t have the budget or don’t need to hire a full-time CTO. But I love to fully commit to a startup and invest my energies and efforts into their mission. It depends on the situation, and what the client needs.”
This lifestyle has naturally led to a somewhat nomadic existence. It’s driven by his desire to collaborate with interesting businesses creating impact through the application of cutting-edge technologies. This lifestyle suits Stefano well at this stage of his life, and has enabled him to settle for now into an Estonian home while he works with a new startup located there.
“I am Italian, I am proud of my origins,” he reflected. “But I love Estonia in every sense. I feel it is my second home, I have been so welcomed by everybody.”
The native Estonian welcome he has received has surely been augmented by his natural gifts for networking and building relationships. It has also led to the founding of two communities in Tallinn: Flutter, a technology developed by Google to create cutting edge mobile apps, and (2) OWASP, the first chapter in Estonia of the world-renowned cybersecurity non-profit foundation. And from the e-Residency Team itself, recognition of Stefano as an official Community Leader of the programme.
“I have always been a big fan of e-Residency, from both a technical perspective - as a tech guy! But also from the business perspective. I’ve recommended the programme to lots of my friends, and also my Dad is now an Estonian e-resident!”
While in a wholly different field, the entrepreneurial inspiration of Amorelli Senior is clearly a driving force in Stefano’s approach to his work and relationship building.
Today, Stefano is often a first port of call for new e-residents who may be visiting Tallinn for the first time. Many e-residents come here to open a bank account, meet funders, or just to check it out. They find him through LinkedIn, and he is always glad to meet up for a coffee, help them navigate the local territory, and answer any questions.
Increasingly today, however, Stefano is acting as a spokesperson for e-Residency to a new audience: local Estonian people. Because of his active profile in local communities and meetups, it makes sense. Stefano is well-placed to describe his journey to Estonia, and the digital to physical identity transfer.
“A few people don’t know much about e-Residency here in Estonia, and that’s a pity,” he reflected. “Some people know a lot, but some only a little. So I try to spread the word in a positive way. Showcasing how e-Residency is benefiting the Estonian economy on a local level, and an international level as well.”
And as a global entrepreneur, Stefano continues to represent the programme internationally too. He is heading to Milan with the e-Residency team in September for Tech Chill. This event is a major startup conference with Baltic origins. Taking Estonian e-Residency home to Italy represents a bridge that merges his two geographic identities, through the technology story which has shaped his professional identity.
It’s clear that this global entrepreneur will continue to spread the good word about e-Residency and the benefits it has brought, whether that’s in the coffee shops of Tallinn’s tech district, through his online connections, or at events in his country of origin too.
