MicroLink
Former Estonian IT company that grew from a PC manufacturer into a pan-Baltic technology group.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
MicroLink was an Estonian information-technology company founded in Tallinn in August 1991 by Rainer Nõlvak and Hanno Haamer. It initially operated as a personal-computer manufacturer, entering a Baltic technology market that was being reshaped by the end of Soviet rule and the development of independent national economies. During the 1990s, the company expanded beyond hardware production into IT distribution, systems integration, software and business solutions, Internet access, electronics manufacturing, consulting, training, infrastructure, and data-centre services. By the middle of the 1990s, MicroLink had become the largest PC maker in the Baltic region. Its development accelerated after Allan Martinson became chief executive in 1998 and the company merged with Astrodata, then described as Estonia's second-largest IT company. MicroLink used several rounds of private-equity financing to support rapid expansion. In 1999 and 2000, it completed 15 mergers and acquisitions and grew approximately fivefold according to the company's historical account. These transactions included the Latvian IT companies Fortech and VAR, as well as seven Internet-service providers operating across the Baltic states. Although its corporate headquarters stayed in Tallinn, MicroLink increasingly became a regional group. Latvia ultimately accounted for the largest share of its employees and revenue. The group combined technology manufacturing and distribution with service businesses, allowing it to address both consumer and enterprise markets. Its activities included PC sales and support, systems integration, enterprise-resource-planning software, IT consulting, telecommunications-related infrastructure, central systems, and data-centre services. MicroLink also became involved in digital media. In 1999, it launched Delfi as a 50:50 joint venture with Baltic News Service, a leading regional news agency. Delfi developed into a major news portal in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and MicroLink later acquired its joint-venture partner's interest. Through the acquisition of Fortech, MicroLink also inherited a majority holding in SAF Tehnika, a Latvian company developing and manufacturing microwave radio links. At its peak, MicroLink employed close to 1,000 people and generated approximately EUR 60 million in revenue. Its later strategy was to sell or separate the group's investments and concentrate on realizing value from its businesses. Between 2003 and 2005, it disposed of Delfi, SAF Tehnika, its computer-manufacturing operation, its electronics business, and its core IT activities. Delfi was sold to Norwegian Findexa, while MicroLink Electronics was sold to Amphenol. SAF Tehnika subsequently became the first and only Baltic company listed on the Riga Stock Exchange at the time of its initial public offering. The core IT business was sold to the Baltic telecommunications companies Eesti Telekom, Lattelecom, and Teo LT in a transaction reported as exceeding EUR 20 million. MicroLink's Lithuanian operation was later separated from Teo LT, renamed Hostex, and sold back to Teo LT in 2010. MicroLink Latvia was renamed Lattelecom Technology in 2006 and later became known as T2T. By 2011, the Estonian and Latvian telecommunications owners had integrated the remaining MicroLink operations into their wider businesses. The Lithuanian operation had also changed ownership and identity. MicroLink consequently ceased to exist as both an independent corporate entity and an active brand.
History
MicroLink was created in Tallinn in August 1991 by Rainer Nõlvak and Hanno Haamer. Its first business was the manufacture of personal computers, but it soon broadened its scope as the Estonian and Baltic technology markets developed. The company added distribution, systems integration, Internet services, electronics manufacturing, and enterprise technology services. By the mid-1990s, it was regarded as the largest PC manufacturer in the Baltic region. A major transformation began in 1998, when Allan Martinson became CEO and MicroLink merged with Astrodata. The company raised capital through four private-equity rounds involving the Baltic Investment Fund, the Baltic Republics Fund, and other investors. In 1999 and 2000, MicroLink carried out 15 mergers and acquisitions, including the Latvian IT companies Fortech and VAR and seven Internet-service providers in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. These deals made the business effectively pan-Baltic even though its headquarters remained in Tallinn. Latvia became particularly important, providing the group's largest employee base and revenue contribution. MicroLink's expansion was not limited to conventional IT. In 1999, it founded Delfi with Baltic News Service. The 50:50 venture became a leading online news portal in each of the three Baltic states, and MicroLink subsequently bought out BNS's interest. The Fortech acquisition also brought MicroLink a majority stake in SAF Tehnika, a Latvian producer and developer of microwave radio links. Alongside these investments, MicroLink operated businesses in PC services, software development, ERP, IT consulting, training, infrastructure, central systems, data centres, and electronics manufacturing. At its peak, the group employed nearly 1,000 people and reported approximately EUR 60 million in revenue. From 2003 through 2005, management pursued a divestment strategy. Delfi was sold to Norwegian Findexa for EUR 5 million; it was later resold to Estonia's Ekspress Grupp for EUR 51 million. SAF Tehnika proceeded to an initial public offering on the Riga Stock Exchange, reportedly valuing the company at EUR 52 million. MicroLink Computers was sold to its management, and MicroLink Electronics was sold to Amphenol. The core IT business was sold to Eesti Telekom, Lattelecom, and Teo LT in a transaction reported as exceeding EUR 20 million. Afterward, parts of the Lithuanian and Latvian operations were separated again. The Lithuanian arm was renamed Hostex and sold back to Teo LT in 2010. MicroLink Latvia became Lattelecom Technology in 2006 and later adopted the T2T name. By 2011, the former Estonian and Latvian MicroLink businesses had been integrated into their telecom owners, and the Lithuanian operation had also moved under another identity. MicroLink therefore ended as an independent corporate entity and commercial brand.
- 2011
MicroLink disappears as an independent entity
[1]Remaining operations had been absorbed, renamed, or sold, ending MicroLink's independent corporate existence.
- 2010
Hostex sold back to Teo LT
[1]The former Lithuanian MicroLink operation, by then called Hostex, returned to Teo LT ownership.
- 2006
Latvian subsidiary renamed
[1]MicroLink Latvia became Lattelecom Technology.
- 2005
Core IT operations sold
[1]Three Baltic telecommunications companies acquired the core IT business.
- 2003
Investment divestment program begins
[1]MicroLink began selling or separating major investments and operating businesses.
- 2000
Regional expansion peaks
[1]After a two-year acquisition drive involving 15 transactions, MicroLink had become a substantially pan-Baltic technology group.
- 1999
Delfi launched
[1]MicroLink and Baltic News Service created Delfi as a joint online-news venture.
- 1998
Astrodata merger and new CEO
[1]Allan Martinson became CEO, and MicroLink merged with Astrodata, accelerating its growth.
- 1995
Becomes the leading Baltic PC maker
[1]By the middle of the decade, MicroLink had established itself as the largest PC manufacturer in the Baltic region.
- 1991
MicroLink founded in Tallinn
[1]Rainer Nõlvak and Hanno Haamer established MicroLink in Estonia as a personal-computer manufacturer.
Products and positioning
A broad-based Baltic technology group combining PC manufacturing, enterprise IT services, Internet access, distribution, electronics, and digital media.
Personal computers · 1991
MicroLink personal computers
MicroLink began as a PC manufacturer and built its early reputation around supplying personal computers in Estonia and the wider Baltic region. By the mid-1990s, it was described as the largest PC maker in the Baltic states. The computer business was later separated from the group and sold to its management as part of MicroLink's divestment program.
Online news · 1999
Delfi
Delfi was established in 1999 by MicroLink and Baltic News Service as a 50:50 joint venture. It developed into a leading news portal in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. MicroLink later acquired its partner's stake and sold the business to Norwegian Findexa during the group's divestment period.
Systems integration
MicroLink Systems
MicroLink Systems represented the group's systems-integration and infrastructure activities. The broader offering included enterprise infrastructure, central systems, data-centre solutions, software development, ERP, and business-technology services for organizations in the Baltic region.
Internet services
MicroLink Online
MicroLink Online provided Internet services as part of the company's expansion from hardware into communications and recurring technology services. The group acquired additional Internet-service providers across the Baltic states during its 1999–2000 expansion.
Electronics manufacturing
MicroLink Electronics
MicroLink Electronics was the group's electronics-manufacturing operation. It was sold to Amphenol during the restructuring and investment-disposal phase between 2003 and 2005.
Microwave radio equipment
SAF Tehnika investment
Through its merger with Fortech, MicroLink inherited a majority stake in SAF Tehnika, a Latvian developer and producer of microwave radio links. SAF Tehnika was later separated from MicroLink and became publicly listed on the Riga Stock Exchange.
Brand decisions
2005
Sell the core IT business to Baltic telecom companiesM&ABackground
MicroLink's remaining central IT operations were being repositioned under established telecommunications owners in the Baltic states.
Action taken
Eesti Telekom, Lattelecom, and Teo LT acquired the core IT business.
Aftermath
The acquired operations were progressively integrated into the buyers' technology businesses, contributing to the disappearance of the MicroLink identity.
Reported transaction value. exceeding EUR 20 million (2005)
2003
Sell non-core investments and operating businessesStrategyBackground
After its acquisition-led expansion, MicroLink moved toward realizing value from its portfolio and simplifying the group.
Action taken
Between 2003 and 2005, it sold or separated Delfi, SAF Tehnika, MicroLink Computers, MicroLink Electronics, and the core IT business.
Aftermath
The disposals transferred the principal businesses to strategic or management owners and brought the independent MicroLink group toward an end.
1999
Pursue pan-Baltic expansion through acquisitionsStrategyBackground
MicroLink sought to move beyond its Estonian PC-manufacturing base and build a regional technology group.
Action taken
It completed 15 mergers and acquisitions in 1999 and 2000, including Fortech, VAR, and seven Internet-service providers.
Aftermath
The company became effectively pan-Baltic, with Latvia eventually representing its largest employee and revenue base.
1999
Create Delfi as a regional digital-media ventureProduct launchBackground
MicroLink identified online news as an adjacent opportunity during the rapid growth of Internet usage in the Baltic states.
Action taken
It launched Delfi in a 50:50 joint venture with Baltic News Service and later bought out its partner.
Aftermath
Delfi became a leading news portal in all three Baltic countries before being sold to Findexa.
Recent events
- 2011
MicroLink ceases to exist as an independent brand and company[1]
Other
Remaining Estonian and Latvian operations had been merged into their telecom owners, while the Lithuanian business had also changed identity and ownership.
- 2010
MicroLink Lithuanian operation returns to Teo LT[1]
M&A
The Lithuanian operation, which had been renamed Hostex, was sold back to Teo LT.
- 2006
MicroLink Latvia renamed Lattelecom Technology[1]
Other
The Latvian subsidiary adopted the Lattelecom Technology name as the former group was absorbed into telecom-owned operations.
- 2005
Core MicroLink IT business sold to Baltic telecom operators[1]
M&A
Eesti Telekom, Lattelecom, and Teo LT acquired the core IT business in a transaction reported as exceeding EUR 20 million.
- 2003
MicroLink begins disposal of its investments[1]
M&A
The group entered a multi-year program of asset sales and business separations, including its digital-media, manufacturing, and core IT holdings.
- 1999
MicroLink expands through a large Baltic acquisition program[1]
M&A
The company began a rapid regional expansion that included the Latvian IT firms Fortech and VAR and multiple Internet-service providers.
- 1999
MicroLink launches Delfi news portal[1]
Product launch
MicroLink established Delfi as a joint venture with Baltic News Service, creating a digital news operation serving all three Baltic countries.
- 1998
MicroLink appoints Allan Martinson as chief executive and merges with Astrodata[1]
M&A · Leadership change
MicroLink appointed Allan Martinson as CEO and combined with Astrodata, accelerating its expansion in Estonia and the wider Baltic IT market.
Sources1 sources
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