Inspired by Skype, ambitious entrepreneurs have the confidence to believe their dreams can come true, writes Henry Muller in technologist.eu.

On the photo: Priit Potter, (age 34), Tallinn University of Technology, PLUMBR (2011), Funds raised €1,500,000, Employees 20

What Apple is to America, Skype is to Estonia – a symbol of the best in creative energy and entrepreneurial savvy.

The current cast of Estonian entrepreneurs includes a number of engineers who got their start at Skype, where they learned first-hand that an idea from a small country can go around the world if it is good enough and well executed.

“There’s no magic, nothing to be afraid of,” says Henn Ruukel, who worked at Skype for seven years before launching his own company. “You don’t have to be in Silicon Valley to build something global.”

The video-chat service’s other gift to Estonia is a cadre of Skype-made millionaires eager to reinvest their earnings at home by becoming angels and advisers to the next generation of start-ups.

On these pages Technologist presents a small sampling of Estonians with innovative ideas and global ambitions.

Continue to read here.