Toivo Annus

Toivo Annus
Born1972
Estonia
Died12 July 2020 (aged 48)
NationalityEstonian
Alma materTallinn University of Technology
Occupation(s)Engineer, Investor

Toivo Annus (1972 – 12 July 2020) was an Estonian engineer and investor. He was one of the founders of Skype, an early internet telecommunications application. Skype became the first unicorn business founded in Estonia, and was sold to eBay for $2.6bn in September 2005.[1] In 2010, Annus' contribution was recognised with the award of the Order of the White Star, 5th Class, by the president of Estonia.

Biography

Annus studied for a mixed MBA/Computer Science degree at Tallinn Technical University before managing multiple small ICT teams and projects. He led the engineering aspects of Skype from its startup until its acquisition. Subsequently, Annus and his co-founders from Skype started Ambient Sound Investments, a private asset management company, which funded more than 50 early stage new ventures worldwide.[2] The assets of this company were reported to have grown 17.5% year on year during 2018 EUR131 million.[3]

On 13 July 2020, Annus' wife issued a press release announcing that her husband had died of an unexpected illness.[4]

References

  1. ^ Tänavsuu, Toivo (2018-09-03). ""How can they be so good?": The strange story of Skype". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  2. ^ P, Jamie (2020-07-14). "Gone Too Soon: 5 Things To Know About the Skype Co-founder Who Just Passed Away". Tech Times. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  3. ^ "Skype co-founder Toivo Annus dies at 48". The Baltic Course. 2020-07-13. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  4. ^ "Skype cofounder Toivo Annus dies at the age of 48". Estonian World. 2020-07-13. Retrieved 2023-09-21.