Welcome to the journey of Eetos, an innovative startup making waves in the Elevator Startups program. With the guidance of their mentors, Anni Sinijärv and Marili Ruus, we help promising startups grow faster and reach their dreams. Eetos, co-founded by Edward and Ralf, is one such gem, combining passion, innovation, and a mission to transform how we preserve our loved ones' stories.
How It All Began
Two years ago, in a cozy living room, five friends gathered, fueled by creativity and a shared vision. They formed the "Brain Group," a think-tank for unique business ideas. Among their many brainstorms, one idea stood out: attaching QR codes to tombstones, which would display a deceased person's online profile when scanned. This intriguing concept won them the Maastricht University hackathon.
But as they spoke with clients and elderly care homes, they discovered a deeper need. People wanted an easy way to capture and preserve their life stories. This realization led them to change direction, turning their tech idea into a heartfelt mission: making it simple for anyone to document their life story.
Ralf and Edward's Vision for Retirement
It's not every day you meet young entrepreneurs in their early twenties who are already thinking about retirement. Yet, Ralf and Edward have clear and exciting visions for their golden years.
Ralf dreams of a retirement that feels as carefree as his university days. He imagines a self-sustaining system that lets him gradually reduce his workload over time. In the end, he sees himself lounging under a palm tree, a cocktail in hand, enjoying the fruits of his hard work.
Edward's vision is different but equally fulfilling. He wants a retirement rich with family and free time. Edward loves creating and staying active, so he doesn’t plan to stop working completely. As long as his mind stays sharp, he hopes to keep working on projects that excite him.
Capturing Stories That Matter
One of the most touching experiences for the Eetos team was working with the Pihlakodu nursing home. They had the honor of documenting the life story of a delightful elderly lady. Shortly after her biography was completed, she passed away. Her life story, now beautifully preserved, became a cherished memory for hundreds of people who visited her profile. This touching moment underscored the profound value of their work.
Clear goals for the Future
Looking ahead, Eetos envisions a future where their platform is a household name across the EU. They see themselves integrated into the lives of millions of families, continuously improving their services based on user feedback. Their ultimate goal is not just to document life stories but to become a daily companion for the elderly. By doing so, they hope to reduce loneliness and strengthen family bonds through shared histories and memories.
With their mission clear, the Eetos team set ambitious goals:
Short-Term Goals:
1. Conduct interviews with elderly care homes to better understand their needs.
2. Raise funds to fuel their expansion.
3. Launch their services in the German market.
Long-Term Goals:
1. Expand their reach across the EU, one country at a time.
2. Enhance their service to combat loneliness among the elderly.
3. Transform their offering into a daily companion for the elderly, providing a platform for regular engagement and storytelling.
The Motivation Behind Eetos
Edward and Ralf have been friends for over 17 years, always dreaming of starting a business together. They never imagined this path, but the need to preserve extraordinary stories found them. Witnessing their grandfathers' incredible stories fade inspired them to create Eetos. It’s more than a business for them—it’s a mission to forge meaningful connections and preserve precious memories.
Overcoming Challenges
In the early days, Edward and Ralf wore many hats. They did everything themselves—writing, interviewing, marketing, digitizing, and development. This hands-on approach taught them invaluable skills but also made them realize the importance of building a team. Recently, they welcomed two new team members, with another joining soon, growing their team to four.
Impact on the Community
Eetos aims to capture and preserve the stories of loved ones, fostering deep connections within families. Initially, their idea was QR codes on gravestones, but they quickly focused on capturing these stories. They want to make their service accessible to everyone, helping to bridge generational gaps and connect families.
With 100 million elderly people in the EU, 28 million of whom live alone, and 20 million reporting feelings of loneliness, the need for meaningful social interactions is critical. Loneliness impacts elderly mortality rates almost as much as smoking or obesity. Eetos aims to reduce this by encouraging and facilitating essential social interactions.
Eetos connects families through the power of shared stories, simplifying the process of capturing life stories and transforming recorded memories into a hardcover book—no writing required. Join Eetos in their mission to create lasting legacies and meaningful connections by following them on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eetos.ee
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/91030236
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eeto.s/
