2024 Recap: A Digital Playbook of Access and Information
Hope you had a wonderful and restful holiday season!
As each year ends, I take time to reflect on goals achieved, KPIs met, trends navigated, and the impact of my efforts and QLA's initiatives. It's also the perfect moment to plan for 2025 and the years ahead.
Let's get right into it, shall we?
January
World
Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates become BRICS members.
NVIDIA’s Market Surge: Nvidia became the third largest publicly-traded company by market capitalization, driven by the high demand for its chips used in artificial intelligence.
QLA
Hosted a private event for clients on January 19th in Radisson Collection in collaboration with Compensa Elukindlustus, Evli, C-Quadrat Investment Group, and Kawe Kapital. The event featured guest speakers such as Remo Ojaste, Epp Kärsin, Gerda Rand, Andri Peetso, and others.
Formed a partnership with the financial advisory firm Equiton to collaborate on capital raising, M&A deals, and connecting investors with exclusive projects.
QLA Private Client Event
Me
I interviewed Mona Kattel (my previous classmate) and Raivo Hein, one of the most influential figures in business and financial literature in Estonia. He is known for his unique lifestyle, including owning a private helicopter for travel. Watch the interview here: YouTube - Raivo Hein (in Estonian language).
Celebrated my 28th birthday.
February
World
In the closest presidential election in Finnish history, Alexander Stubb is elected president in the second round.
U.S. Stock Market Rally: February 2024 saw significant gains in the U.S. stock market, with the Nasdaq Composite reaching an all-time high, up 4.14%, and the S&P 500 rising 3.99%. This rally was largely driven by strong performances in the technology sector, particularly from Nvidia, which surged over 18% following a robust earnings report. The Dow Jones also posted modest gains of nearly 1% for the month
QLA
Began providing public funding support and project proposal writing services for EU grants in collaboration with WISECONSULT, assisting SMEs and businesses in accessing funding opportunities.
Partnered with Startup Wise Guys for fundraising efforts for Challenger II and PropTech funds.
Me
Preparing for Estonian masters weightlifting competition.
Interviewed one of my good friends Nick Connor about fatherhood, being pro athelete, business, family, and successful mindset. Watch it here.
Interviewed Estonian on of the most influential economist Heido Vitsur. Watch the interview here.
March
World
As the final Nordic country to join the alliance, Sweden officially joins NATO, becoming its 32nd member after Finland a year earlier.
The Artificial Intelligence Act, the world's first comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for artificial intelligence, is passed by the European Union.
2024 Russian presidential election: Incumbent Vladimir Putin is reelected for a fifth term
FTC’s Proactive Role: The Federal Trade Commission, under chair Lina Khan, blocked several mergers and acquisitions, including a significant one between JetBlue and Spirit Airlines.
QLA
Started developing QLA University tailored for the U.S. market (still in progress).
Launched Quantum Leap Newsletter.
Me
Celebrated my daughter Carmen's 1st birthday.
Celebrated my brothers Samuel Voolaid 26th birthday.
Interviewed Paul Vahur about GTD (Getting Things Done) methodology.
Competed in the Estonian Championships (Eesti meistrivõistlused) and secured 2nd place.
April
World
The G7 countries agree to phase out unabated coal power by 2030–2035.
Stock markets faced a significant decline in April 2024, primarily due to rising interest rates impacting performance. The S&P 500 dropped by 4.08%, while the Euro STOXX 50 and Nikkei 225 also experienced losses of 2.25% and 4.86%, respectively
Debtwire identified Joann Fabrics as one of the biggest winners in 2024, successfully restructuring its debt and maintaining operations. In contrast, companies like 99 Cents Only Stores and Big Lots faced significant losses, highlighting a challenging retail environment.
QLA
Participated in Äripäev Pärnu Financial Conference.
Me
Worked out with Vello Vaher, one of the most renowned gymnasts and America's Got Talent 2016 quarterfinalist.
Attended a Polish wedding for the first time — it was quite an intriguing experience.
Interviewed Kristel Kivinurm-Priisalm, Managing Partner at Avaron Asset Management, about building your own asset management firm and enhancing your skillset.
Achieved a personal best in the back squat with 200 kg for 2 reps. Attempted 220 kg but lost balance.
May
World
The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is held in Malmö, Sweden. Swiss contestant Nemo wins with the song "The Code"
2024 Lithuanian presidential election: Incumbent president Gitanas Nausėda wins a landslide victory for a second term in office.
Former United States President Donald Trump is found guilty on 34 counts in his hush money trial, the first time any American president has been found guilty of a crime
The U.S. announced new tariffs on Chinese goods set to take effect in August 2024, including a 100% tariff on electric vehicles. This move is aimed at protecting the American green technology sector but has sparked fears of escalating trade tensions.
QLA
The QLA board recognized the need for company restructuring and developed a new plan to move forward.
I gave a talk to students in the NYU Stern School of Business executive program.
I left the BNI organization as it was not aligned with QLA's goals.
Me
Interviewed SEB Chief Economist Mihkel Nestor about the economy. Watch the interview here: YouTube - Mihkel Nestor.
June
World
The 2024 European Parliament election is held. The EPP, of incumbent Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, retains its status as the largest group in parliament amid notable gains by far-right political groups.
UEFA EURO 2024 is held in Germany, and is won by Spain.
On the Grand Duke's Official Birthday, Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg announces that his son and heir Guillaume will assume royal duties beginning in October, in preparation for Henri's eventual abdication.
Klarna finalized a deal to sell its online checkout service, Klarna Checkout, to a consortium of investors for approximately $515 million. This sale includes a revenue-sharing agreement that adds significant value to the transaction
Texas Stock Exchange | TXSE Group Inc announced plans to establish a new stock exchange in Texas, aiming to compete with established markets like those in New York. This initiative has generated considerable interest due to its potential impact on regional financial markets
QLA
Restructuring the company to prioritize life insurance and non-life insurance products, including car/motor, casco, and home insurance, with a dedicated Estonian team.
Simultaneously expanding the international team to support growth by building a financial advisory division and focusing on key areas such as M&A, capital raising, and other related services.
Assisting with fundraising and facilitating a Direct Public Offering (DPO) for Bifin AI.
Me
Taking time off weightlifting and spending more time with family.
July
World
2024 United Kingdom general election: Sir Keir Starmer leads the Labour Party to a landslide victory, returning the party to government for the first time in 14 years.
While campaigning for the 2024 United States presidential election, former President Donald Trump is shot in the right ear in an assassination attempt at a rally he held near Butler, Pennsylvania.
The 2024 Summer Olympics are held in Paris, France.
Bain Capital announced its acquisition of Envestnet, Inc, a US-based fintech company specializing in wealth management software, for $4.5 billion. This deal reflects ongoing consolidation in the fintech space and is expected to close in Q4 2024.
QLA
Successfully recruited an international team to lead the expansion of our global network, client base, and partnerships.
Facing financial challenges and evaluating options for continuation.
Me
Working my a$$ off.
Interviewed Meelis Lao , one of the most influential figures in 1990s Estonia. Some called him a spy, others the mafia, and some a godfather. Watch the podcast here.
August
World
Major corporate movements included Reliance Industries Limited announcing a ₹1,000 crore investment to develop coal bed methane resources. Additionally, there were reports of private equity firms like KKR and TPG eyeing acquisitions in India's healthcare sector, specifically targeting the largest cardiac stent manufacturer.
The tech sector saw significant activity as well. The Robinhood app's food delivery service continued to attract attention, with an investor group led by the Yip In Tsoi & Co., Ltd. Group acquiring shares from SCBX Plc for up to 2 billion baht. This transaction highlights ongoing interest in on-demand services amid competitive market conditions.
QLA
Continuing efforts to expand the international network and connect investors with high-value projects.
Exploring opportunities to pivot the insurance department into an InsurTech firm, focusing on validating the idea and pitching to strategic investor.
Me
Attended another wedding, this time for a good friend and relative.
September
World
The Brazilian Supreme Court upholds a decision to block the social media platform X (also known as Twitter) over what the Brazilian government determined to be rampant disinformation and Elon Musk's failure to name a legal representative to the country.
The first commercial spacewalk is conducted by entrepreneur Jared Isaacman as part of the Polaris Dawn mission, which also includes the highest altitude orbit by a human crew since the Apollo program
The U.S. Federal Reserve made a significant move by cutting the benchmark lending rate by 50 basis points during its September meeting.
The The Bank of London secured £42 million in funding despite facing a winding-up petition from HM Revenue & Customs. This funding round was led by Mangrove Capital Partners and is intended to support the bank's operations amidst financial scrutiny, while Florida-based fintech finally raised $200 million to expand its AI-powered business payments platform.
Italian bank UniCredit acquired a 9% stake in Germany's Commerzbank AG for approximately $775 million as part of the German government's strategy to reduce its shareholding in the bank.
QLA
Started offering secondary private startup/pre-IPO deals and facilitating connections between institutional/professional investors and commercial real estate opportunities.
Engaged in fundraising for projects and expanding the international network.
Secured a CTO to support the InsurTech pivot.
Me
Interviewed Startup Wise Guys CEO Cristobal Alonso and Head of Portfolio Alexandra Balkova. Watch the podcast here.
Attended Äripäev Business Plan 2025 event, was fun, made new connections and strengthened relationships with clients and partners.
October
World
SpaceX achieves the first successful return and capture of a Super Heavy booster from Starship, the biggest and most powerful rocket ever to fly
Boeing announced one of the largest share sales in history, aiming to raise approximately $21 billion to strengthen its balance sheet amid ongoing challenges in the aerospace sector.
Bitcoin prices surged past $71,000 for the first time since June 2024, reflecting growing investor interest and market optimism in cryptocurrencies.
QLA
Making a final push for the InsurTech pivot by exploring various solutions and pitching to investors and VCs.
Actively fundraising and connecting banks and lenders with projects.
Focusing efforts on targeting Family Offices, VCs, and Professional Investors.
Continuing to grow and strengthen the international team.
Me
I felt like I was on the verge of burnout, even though I don’t believe it’s truly possible when the vision and action are aligned. It felt like I was banging my head against a wall...made an newsletter about it as well, kind of :)
Participated in another exclusive event "The Event" hosted by Nick Connor at the Bombay Club, where Morris Morrison, Professional Keynote Speaker, co-hosted the event. Great new business connections, insights, and overall was fun.
November
World
2024 United States presidential election: Donald Trump, with his running mate JD Vance, is elected for a second non-consecutive term, the first candidate to do so since Grover Cleveland in 1892 and only the second in American history.
The Adani Group reported staggering losses of nearly $55 billion following corruption allegations against its top officials, which the company has denied. This significant financial impact has raised concerns about the group's future operations.
Black Friday shopping indicated a potential record-breaking holiday season, with consumers expected to spend over $1,000 on average, a 14% increase from the previous year. This optimism contributed to gains in retail stocks and overall market performance.
Bitcoin experienced volatility but briefly approached the $100,000 mark before stabilizing around $97,300. This reflects ongoing interest and speculation in cryptocurrency markets amid broader financial trends.
On November 6, 2024, NVIDIA surpassed Apple to become the largest company globally, with a market capitalization of $3.43 trillion, compared to Apple's $3.38 trillion. This marked a notable moment in the ongoing AI boom, reflecting investor confidence in Nvidia's future as a central player in AI infrastructure.
QLA
Shut down the insurance department/InsureTech and the Estonian team.
Restructured the company to focus solely on being a financial advisory firm and targeting international opportunities.
Started assisting Startup Wise Guys with Innovation Programs, helping them scale and expand to corporations, cities, governments, and CVCs.
We Create Sustainable Growth
Me
Interviewed Danek Bergmann about how he fast-tracked his success as a real estate broker. Check the podcast from here.
Participated in a team Olympic weightlifting competition, where Mart Seim also competed. Unfortunately, our team placed 4th.
My mother had an exclusive jubilee birthday party — it was a mesmerising celebration.
La Familia.
December
World
The Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens to the public after previously being damaged by a structural fire in 2019.
FIFA announces that Morocco, Portugal and Spain will jointly host the 2030 World Cup, with anniversary matches to be held in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, while Saudi Arabia is confirmed as the host for 2034.
On December 15, Broadcom Inc., a key chip supplier for Apple and other tech giants, saw its stock surge by 24%, hitting a market valuation of $1 trillion for the first time.
On December 23, Honda and Nissan Motor Corporation officially announced their merger, which is expected to reshape the automotive landscape.
FedEx announced plans to spin off its freight business into a separate public company. This decision comes alongside a lowered full-year outlook but has been positively received by investors, leading to a rise in FedEx shares shortly after the announcement
The U.S. stock market is experiencing a "Santa Claus Rally," with major indices closing higher as the year-end approaches. On December 26, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.9%, the S&P 500 gained 1.1%, and the Nasdaq surged by 1.4%.
QLA
Partnered with Exponaut and took on a project for Defence Expo.
Continuing fundraising, as well as offering innovation programs, connecting investors with projects, and facilitating transactions.
Me
Participated in a pentathlon and placed 5th after the final attempt, moving up from 6th.
On the 27th, I attended an intriguing murder mystery event at Viirelaiu Embassy.
Interviewed Risto Rossar, a Bitcoin enthusiast and founder of Insly. Find the podcast from here.
The year’s not over yet... Still need to close some deals and wrap things up.
2025 Year plans
My list is long, and every month is planned out, but I’ll share a few targets:
Expand transaction offerings and the international network, aiming to have around 100-200 family offices, VCs, asset managers, and banks as partners.
Successfully finish ongoing projects.
If possible, relocate the HQ to Vienna, Zurich, or London.
Sleep more :)
A year plan isn’t a plan if you don’t follow it or review it after February. Make sure you create a solid plan — and if you’d like my template, you can get it here.
Make your move now, because opportunity doesn’t knock twice.
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Success Hinges on 2 Key Pillars: Access and Information.
Access
Having the right connections, opportunities, and resources to open doors that others can’t.
Information
Possessing the knowledge and insights to make informed decisions and stay ahead of the curve.
Be great and wishing you a wonderful end to the year and a strong, successful start to the new one. Don't forget to subscribe :)