How we’re helping drive the location-independent business revolution

This is a guest post submitted by a company that’s growing by serving e-residents. Learn more about working in partnership with the e-Residency programme here: https://medium.com/e-residency-blog/how-to-work-in-partnership-with-estonias-e-residency-program-3c4dd754600c

Ever dreamed of starting a business you could run from anywhere in the world? Something you could work on without having to go to an office for nine hours a day, every day?

That would be just wonderful, wouldn’t it?

Just think of the possibilities. You’d be able to make money doing what you’re truly passionate about. And you could reach new customers all over Europe — or even globally — without ever having to change out of your pyjamas.

Or, you could think even bigger. Like move to a tropical beach. Or take an extended trip across several countries. All without having to worry about what you’ll do for work.

It’s the dream. The ultimate freedom. Right?

So what’s stopping you?

We’ve mastered technology, so why is location an issue?

It’s never been simpler to market your products or services and connect with customers from across the globe. Most of the time, all you need is a laptop and reasonably good WiFi, and you’re good to go.

But when it comes to actually setting up and managing your business, it’s usually a totally different matter.

From registering a company and opening a bank account to filing accounts and paying taxes, the process all too often involves time-consuming offline processes. There’s paperwork to file. In-person meetings to attend. And, typically, you’ll need to be physically present in the country where your business is registered for at least some part of the year.

Besides, there are other issues to consider. Case in point, not every country makes it easy to start a business. Or has access to the same technology, services and assistance.

Sadly, bureaucracy, red tape and other hurdles deter many would-be entrepreneurs from following their dreams. Which is a shame. After all, in a world where geographic boundaries continue to matter less and less, why shouldn’t you be able set up a business completely online?

Breaking down barriers

Holvi doesn’t believe in borders. We think everyone should be able to start and manage a business with just a few clicks. And that you should be able focus on what really matters — doing what you love — instead of wasting time and effort completing applications, collecting documentation and jumping through countless administrative hoops.

This is why we’ve partnered with the government of Estonia as an official business banking account provider for e-residents. Our collaboration allows you to have a truly location-independent business in every way.

Once you get your e-residency card, you can register your owncompany, open your business current account, do business in the EU and even pay your Estonian taxes 100% online, wherever you are. There’s no paperwork to print. No physical residency requirements. And no waiting around in grey office buildings.

In fact, there’s no need to ever leave your bedroom. Or your spot by the beach. You can do everything from your laptop or smartphone while you enjoy the warm breeze on your face and listen to the sound of the waves.

How to get started with online business banking

Once you have your e-Residency card in hand, simply head over to our website and fill in the online form. We’ll complete your ID verification electronically and create your account online. We can even take care of the company opening procedure for you.

Your business current account has an EU IBAN number. And you’ll also get a MasterCard-branded business debit card, accepted by 20 million merchants in 150 different countries. Your money is ring-fenced and kept in a separate customer account.

Holvi is a payment institution licensed and supervised by FIN-FSA, Finland’s financial service regulator. We’ve been around since 2011. And, in those six years, we’ve helped thousands of people turn their ideas into thriving businesses.

And our pedigree goes even further. We’re part of the BBVA Group, which has over 71 million customers in 30 countries around the world. This means you can rest assured that your money is in safe hands.

But we’re not just a business current account. We want to do more.

An integrated solution for digital entrepreneurs, made by digital entrepreneurs

Starting a company and getting your finances in order are important steps. But they’re only the beginning.

Once you’re up and running, you’ll need to send invoices, track expenses and monitor your inventory. And, who knows? Eventually, you may want to make the leap from a one-person operation into a team.

As entrepreneurs ourselves, we know you’ve got enough on your plate as it is. So we’re constantly working to make Holvi not just your business current account, but the go-to hub for your all your business operations and admin.

Aside from your Holvi account and MasterCard, Holvi also gives you a suite of tools to help you manage and grow your business, including:

• e-invoices you can send straight from your account
• expense tracking
• automatic receipts
• payroll
• an e-commerce store

In other words, you won’t need to sign up to and juggle a whole range of different services and software platforms. You have everything you need in one place. And you can access it from anywhere on Earth, 24 hours a day, using our handy app.

As long as the WiFi works, of course.

Over to you

Online cross-border business has been gaining momentum for a long time. But it’s never been truly location-independent. At least until now.

Our partnership with the Estonian e-Residency program is a new dawn.

One in which you can set up an EU business completely online and manage it all from one place at any time, wherever you are in the world. One in which geography is no longer a limit to what you can do.

What you do with this newfound freedom is totally up to you.

Mika Setälä is a Head of Business Development and Partnerships at Holvi. He was working closely with Estonia’s e-Residency team to build Holvi business management services for e-Residents.