PyCon Estonia’s head organiser, Grete Kungla, recently participated in EuroPython in Prague. The vibrant conference was full of innovative discussions and great networking opportunities, which gave Grete valuable insights and inspiration. With an engaging programme, EuroPython showcased the strength and passion of the Python community. Grete is excited to share the lessons and experiences she gained, which will undoubtedly enrich the upcoming PyCon Estonia. Take a look at her journey and the valuable lessons she learned along the way.

As Europe’s largest Python conference, EuroPython was a hive of activities with a sponsor exhibition, many speaker sessions, open space discussions, puzzle areas for solving development problems, and many more. The first day was about getting oriented and meeting new people. Arriving a bit late, I missed the first keynote by Carol Willing, but luckily, the talk was recorded, so I could catch up with it later on YouTube. My table was situated near the exhibit hall, where community organisations like PyLadies, OpnTech GmbH, and Django Software Foundation had already set up. I spent the initial hours introducing visitors to PyCon Estonia. I ended the day by attending Anna Přistoupilová’s keynote and a series of captivating lightning talks. The evening was spent exploring the beautiful city of Prague.

Day two began early, giving me the chance to experience the full conference dynamics. The organisers had an interesting idea to have a rotating cast of moderators, which is their way to spread the activities made by volunteers. The event had a strong community atmosphere, further elevated by a pre-conference Discord server for participant networking. Tereza Iofciu’s keynote on inclusive leadership was a standout session of the morning.

During a break, one of the main organisers invited me to join a PyLadies event, which was a self-defence workshop focusing on professional scenarios and verbal responses. The stories shared by the women were both impactful and enlightening, offering deep insights into their experiences.

The rest of the day was dedicated to promoting PyCon Estonia. By the second day, attendees were more engaged and eager to learn, leading to many meaningful conversations. The evening featured a keynote by Armin Ronacher and lightning talks from PyCon organisers worldwide. Luckily, I had the opportunity to take the stage and share some fun facts about Estonia while promoting our upcoming event, which was well received.

The official conference afterparty, held in a charming ex-monastery, featured local beer, snacks, board games, and a jamming corner. It was an excellent setting for informal networking and discussions.

The third day focused on connecting with other PyCon organisers. After Mia Gimenez’s keynote on healthy management and healthy code, an open-space discussion for PyCon organisers took place. Nearly 30 attendees discussed common challenges and shared innovative ideas. I was surprised to learn that only three were non-technical primary job holders, emphasising the volunteer-driven nature of these events.

There was a special lunch provided for the organisers after that, which gave a chance for further networking opportunities. Amongst others, I got a chance to chat with representatives from the Python Software Foundation, EuroPython Society, and Django Software Foundation to understand more about the opportunities and challenges on a wider spectrum of the Python community. Later, I participated in a video interview with organisers from PyCon Balkan, PyCon South Africa, and PyCon Africa. As the day wrapped up, I had to pack up for my return to Estonia. Though I missed Lukasz Langa’s keynote, the recorded sessions ensured I didn’t miss out.

Key takeaways for organising a successful conference include:

• Strategically placing microphones to facilitate audience questions without needing volunteer assistance.
• Encouraging non-technical talks by introducing lightning talks as “topics you are passionate about”.
• Using audience applause to signal the end of talks gracefully, maintaining a positive and timely flow.
• Directions and signs were everywhere — it’s just a good reminder that the more, the merrier.
• Hosting a separate recruitment fair for sponsors to maximise their engagement with attendees.
• This gives an opportunity for the community to have discussions and networking options with Open Spaces.

EuroPython 2024 was an enriching experience filled with learning, networking, and sharing. It underscored the power of community and the value of passionate volunteerism in creating impactful events.

As PyCon Estonia’s head organiser, I am excited to bring these insights back to enhance our own conference in September 2024. The memories from the past conferences, the insightful discussions, and the valuable connections made serve as a great incentive for me to look forward to the upcoming conference.

In 2024, we’re excited to host keynote speakers Marlene Mhangami, Raymond Hettinger and Ibad Rehman, who, along with other renowned speakers and workshop instructors from around the world, will certainly bring a wealth of knowledge and new perspectives to the Python community.

Thanks to our generous sponsors and partners, including Thorgate, Patchstack, GlobalReader, Waybiller, AppSignal, TalTech, and Tehnopol, we’re set for two days of informative talks, engaging activities, and hands-on coding workshops.

If you’re a Python or AI/ML enthusiast, developer, entrepreneur, or even a non-technical individual who’s fascinated by the world of tech, I invite you to attend PyCon Estonia 2025. You’ll gain not just knowledge but also a community that’s passionate about Python and its incredible potential.

I’ll see you at PyCon Estonia 2025. Until then, happy coding!

If you would like to attend the conference, then get your tickets for PyCon Estonia 2025 now at https://pycon.ee

If you would like to get a discounted ticket as a Python code club member, Pyladies member, Django Girls member, tech sisters member, or other subsidized ticket group, then email the conference organisers at info@pycon.ee

Last year, Rashmi Nagpal, a machine learning engineer from India, presented a talk at PyCon Estonia titled “Unwrap The Black Box: Building Fair, Ethical & Unbiased ML Systems.” This talk caught the attention of many participants, including the team from Patchstack, a leading cybersecurity startup and a proud sponsor of PyCon Estonia. What began as a simple speaking engagement ended up being a life-changing opportunity for Rashmi.

The Impact of PyCon Estonia

Rashmi applied to speak at PyCon Estonia through the conference’s call for papers. At the time, she was deeply involved in machine learning and AI, balancing her role as a team lead in India with her research work at MIT. “I was initially hesitant to attend PyCon Estonia due to funding issues,” she said. “But Grete, the head organizer at PyCon Estonia, secured a scholarship from the Python Software Foundation (PSF) for me and another speaker. It felt like a dream come true!”

Her talk on building unbiased machine learning systems, like facial recognition models, that correctly identify faces of all skin shades resonated with the diverse audience at the conference. “It sparked interest from people across different fields, including developers, artists, and even members of the army. The interaction was very fun,” Rashmi recalled.

Rashmi described her experience at PyCon Estonia 2023 as life-changing as she said, “People have reached out to me on LinkedIn, recognising my work and mentioning they saw my talk at Pycon Estonia. The organizers and the community have been amazing, and it’s transformed my life by opening up more speaking opportunities and helping me make new friends and connections.”

Connecting with Patchstack

During a break at the conference, Rashmi visited the sponsor booths and met Helis, a recruiter from Patchstack.

Patchstack, an innovative Estonian cybersecurity company, is revolutionizing the way we approach web security. Their mission is to create a safer digital space for all of us by bridging the gap between bug bounties, community-driven security research, and cutting-edge virtual patching technologies. With over 50,000 developers already benefiting from their platform, Patchstack empowers them to identify and address vulnerabilities in third-party code.

What started as a casual game at the Patchstack booth during PyCon turned into a discussion about the company’s innovative projects and their search for a machine learning engineer. “Helis introduced me to Oliver, Patchstack’s founder, who explained their ambitious projects. Despite some initial doubts about my fit for the role, their excitement and vision convinced me to consider it seriously,” she said.

After returning to India, Helis reached out on LinkedIn, encouraging Rashmi to apply for the role. “I went through a few interview rounds, and eventually, I became the first machine learning engineer at Patchstack,” Rashmi shared. “Now, I’m working on cutting-edge technologies like building code vulnerability solutions, and I love the autonomy and challenges of my work. The European Innovation Council (EIC) and other government bodies are interested in our work, which is significant, especially as a foreigner contributing to this project.”

Patchstack Work Culture

Patchstack’s fully remote work culture has been a perfect fit for Rashmi. “The experience of working with such a global and talented team has been incredible,” she said. “We use asynchronous conversations on Slack and have set priorities for our tasks. For instance, someone can complete their work and ask for feedback on Slack. The reviewer checks it at their convenience, and we have overlapping hours from 10 am to 2 pm Estonian time when everyone from different departments is available. This overlap ensures effective communication and helps build trust and faith in each other to keep our team strong.” Recently, the entire team met in Turin, Italy, for in-person meetings, further strengthening their bond.

In 2024, Patchstack returned as a PyCon Estonia sponsor, with Ibad Rehman from their team as one of the keynote speakers. The company sees PyCon Estonia as a key platform for recruitment and networking and plans to expand its AI team by hiring more data scientists. “Our team will be there, ready to connect with potential candidates. I encourage anyone attending to visit Patchstack’s booth,” Rashmi added.

Join us at PyCon Estonia 2025

Rashmi’s story is a proof of the opportunities that PyCon Estonia offers. Not only did it lead her to an exciting role at Patchstack, but it also expanded her professional network and opened doors to new speaking opportunities. “Even though it (Pycon Estonia) looks small on a very granular scale, the impact it has created was huge: I got so many other speaking opportunities because of it and not just that. The HR people from companies started recognising me, and I made a lot of friends,” she emphasized.

If you’re a Python developer, AI/ML enthusiast, or a recruiter looking to connect with top talent, PyCon Estonia 2025 is the place to be. Scheduled for October 2–3, 2025, at T1 Venue, this year’s conference will bring together 16 industry experts from around the world. With workshops, keynote presentations, and plenty of networking opportunities, PyCon Estonia is more than just a conference — it’s a gateway to new opportunities.

Don’t miss out — get your tickets now at https://pycon.ee. If you’re interested in exploring career opportunities with Patchstack, be sure to visit their booth and check out their careers page.

Pavlo Pyvovar spends his days writing code at Pipedrive’s Tartu office, improving machine learning (ML) systems and helping internal teams make smarter decisions, but he spends his early mornings jumping into ice-cold water with colleagues. His work and his winter swimming hobby have more in common than you might expect. It’s a combination that says a lot about his spirit: disciplined, adventurous and always learning.

Pavlo is a junior Machine Learning engineer based in Pipedrive’s Tartu office, but his journey to Estonia — and eventually to Pipedrive — feels like a mix of determination, curiosity and a touch of fate. Although he has been with Pipedrive for less than a year, his story already reflects a passion for machine learning, countless cold plunges and a mindset shaped by continuous learning.

Curiosity didn’t kill the cat (and drove it to Estonia instead)

Pavlo first learned about Estonia back in 2020 when he was a Bachelor’s student at Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. He was studying computer science and considering continuing his studies abroad. By a stroke of luck, two graduates from his university hosted a webinar and shared their experiences of the computer science studies Master’s course at the University of Tartu. With Estonia now on his radar, what caught Pavlo’s attention wasn’t just the opportunity to study abroad, but the idea of a digital-first country, open to innovation and possibilities.

“I was actually not aware of how digitalized Estonia is, so hearing about its tech landscape and all the companies founded there truly inspired me. At first, I decided to focus on finishing my Bachelor’s studies and didn’t explore studying in Estonia further. My studies were quite complicated and I wasn’t even sure what exactly I wanted to do in the future — or if continuing my studies right away was the best idea. But the thought of doing it in Estonia stayed in my mind, especially since the Delta Centre — a newly built study, research and business building at the University of Tartu — seemed like the perfect spot to continue my education. That’s how I made up my mind and started preparing the documents for studying in Estonia,” recalls Pavlo.

A passion for machine learning

In 2022, Pavlo arrived in Estonia and began pursuing his Master’s degree in computer science, specializing in artificial intelligence. There was nothing accidental about his choice — it was a growing passion long before machine learning became a formal part of his university curriculum.

In Ukraine, Pavlo and his friends regularly attended meetups, participated in hackathons and devoured online courses like the famous Stanford University machine learning online course by Andrew Ng. From early experiments like building models to detect obfuscated code to internships where he analyzed real-world data, Pavlo’s foundation in machine learning was built through a combination of formal education and self-driven learning. “I was just so curious and I wanted to learn by doing, attending events, working on side projects and taking every opportunity to apply new skills in real-life situations. The more I explored, the more machine learning grew on me and became something I genuinely wanted to build my future around,” explains Pavlo.

He’s fascinated by machine learning and how it can be used to build transformative digital products. Technologies like recommender systems, generative AI and travel time predictions for ride-hailing deeply astonish him. “This motivates me to create useful digital products and provide magical online experiences for people,” says Pavlo.

The power of a second chance

Plot twist: when Pavlo first applied to Pipedrive, he didn’t land the job he went for. But that didn’t stop him — and shouldn’t! It’s always about the right fit for the right position. A few weeks after receiving feedback, a new opportunity opened up — junior machine learning engineer, a position exactly aligned with his skills and passion. With encouragement from a friend working at Pipedrive and a strong referral, Pavlo went through the interview process and secured the role. He started in October 2024, stepping into a fast-growing, AI-focused environment.

In his day-to-day role, Pavlo ensures that Pipedrive’s internal machine learning systems run smoothly and reliably. “I focus on maintaining, improving and building tools around machine learning systems, supporting internal teams and helping them do their jobs more efficiently. One of the stakeholders is our Customer Intelligence team and I help them to build systems to analyze customer behavior, predict churn and improve the overall customer experience,” explains Pavlo what it’s like to work as a ML engineer at Pipedrive.

Python is Pavlo’s go-to language for his work as it’s readable, supported by a huge community and you can practically build anything with it. One of Pavlo’s proudest achievements so far has been contributing to automation improvements, making the deployment and maintenance of ML models easier and more robust.

Building friendships one swim at a time

Outside of coding, Pavlo is actively involved in Pipedrive’s Tartu office community. From giving his first 5-minute lightning talk during an internal event on how physical activity impacts the health of our brains, to enjoying lunch with colleagues, to even joining a winter swimming club with colleagues, Pavlo brings the same curiosity and enthusiasm to building friendships as he does to building systems.

“In Tartu, it feels like working with friends. The office culture is easygoing and supportive, and activities like lightning talks and game hours help people connect beyond work. I couldn’t imagine anything better — the culture here is even greater than I ever expected. And I’ve joined the company at the perfect time: it’s exciting to see how much focus there is now on AI and machine learning projects. The company is growing and so am I,” says Pavlo.

Winter swimming, in particular, has become a regular ritual for Pavlo and some of his colleagues in Tartu. No matter the weather conditions (or the mood upon waking up), one thing is for sure: a quick, cold-braving plunge helps kickstart the day, build discipline and recharge before the workday begins

Pavlo highlights the need for balance. “I love coding. But if you want to work in this field for many years, you must take care of yourself. Physical activity, socializing with colleagues and hobbies outside screens are crucial. And even small team activities can build culture and connections,” explains Pavlo.

Pavlo’s advice to aspiring engineers

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions — you’re not expected to know everything. Being proactive, reaching out and collaborating — that’s how you grow!
• Get involved outside your immediate tasks. Pipedrive, for example, is a great place where you can sharpen your technical skills, grow personally and build connections. In addition to participating in fun internal events, I’ve already had the chance to talk about my work and machine learning at public meetups held in our offices — once in Tartu and once in Tallinn. It’s a great way to share your passion and practice your public speaking skills.
• Take care of yourself physically and mentally. Work and great results are important, but so is making sure you have the energy and balance to sustain your growth.

Article written by Maie-Liisa Sildnik (Senior PR Manager at Pipedrive). Read more stories from Pipedrive on their R&D blog.