Mindvalley is the world’s leading personal growth education platform, serving over 20 million students across the globe. Its mission is ambitious yet profoundly simple: to transform education by teaching the skills that truly matter for human flourishing – from mindset and well-being to leadership and entrepreneurship.
Founded in 2003 by Vishen Lakhiani, what began as a small meditation business has since become a global movement in personal growth and transformational learning. Kadi Oja, Head of Flagship Events at Mindvalley, shares their vision: “We do what we do because we believe that human transformation leads to societal transformation.”
A Bold Vision for Learning
At its core, innovation for Mindvalley is not about chasing the latest technology. “Innovation is about reimagining the human experience,” explains Kadi. “It means challenging the traditional ways of learning, working, and connecting – and replacing them with models that are more aligned with how humans thrive in the current world. Innovation is not just about technology, but about creating new systems and experiences that elevate human potential.”
This belief inspired one of the company’s most groundbreaking ideas: Mindvalley U. Conceived in 2016, the initiative asked a radical question: What if education could be exciting? What if it could bring people together across generations, cultures, and continents – not in classrooms, but in real life? The first large-scale edition was held in Tallinn in 2018, transforming the city into a vibrant campus for thousands of learners from over 80 countries.
That Tallinn launch was the breakthrough moment. “It proved there was global demand for a new kind of learning experience – immersive, community-driven, and transformational,” reflects Kadi. From there, the concept scaled rapidly, becoming one of Mindvalley’s flagship events. The global pandemic further accelerated innovation, prompting the company to develop hybrid and digital-first models that now enable millions worldwide to access transformative education while preserving the magic of in-person community.
Mindvalley U: Education Without Walls
Mindvalley U is neither a traditional conference nor a retreat. “It’s a full-on immersion into personal evolution – a living, breathing classroom where transformation happens daily, connection runs deep, and you rediscover how life was always meant to feel. It is where deep learning meets deep living,” shares Kadi.
With more than 100 sessions each year, roughly half are led by world-renowned experts, authors, and entrepreneurs, while the other half are hosted by community members themselves. In this way, every participant becomes both student and teacher, co-creating the experience.
The learning model is also designed to adapt to real life. Children and teenagers take part in their own tailored programs, learning directly from bestselling authors, Olympians, entrepreneurs, and psychologists. It is the kind of education many adults wish they had access to during their formative years, one that sparks curiosity and ignites potential at every stage of development.
The city itself becomes part of the classroom. Attendees are learning from longevity doctors in historic halls, sharing life stories with authors in cafés, and dancing with new friends under the stars. From yoga studios to art galleries, coworking spaces to street markets, the host city evolves into a playground for exploration, creativity, and spontaneous connection.
The curriculum is equally forward-looking, focusing on the skills that matter most in today’s world. Topics range from emotional intelligence and conscious parenting to longevity, biohacking, entrepreneurship, spiritual growth, creativity, purpose, wealth, and relationships. This dynamic, multifaceted approach ensures that participants can design their own learning adventure, choosing from multiple tracks that align with their personal goals and aspirations.
Yet the true heartbeat of Mindvalley U is its community. “Transformation without community is just a temporary high. But transformation with community? That’s how you change your life forever,” Kadi emphasizes. Each gathering provides not only the space and time for growth but also the deep connections that make change sustainable.
Finally, culture itself acts as a catalyst for transformation. The hosting city is never just a backdrop – it becomes an essential part of the experience. As the environment shifts, so too does the individual. In these immersive settings, participants don’t just learn. They evolve.
Looking Ahead
Mindvalley is now expanding its global events ecosystem. “Our vision is to keep hosting Mindvalley events across the world, empowering urban centers to become hubs of transformational learning,” Kadi shares. “With the integration of new technologies like AI-powered learning and hybrid event models, we see a future where personal growth education is accessible anytime, anywhere – while still anchored in the magic of in-person community.”
Estonia as a Global Hub of Transformation
Tallinn holds a special place in the story of Mindvalley. Hosting Mindvalley U positioned Estonia as a pioneer in rethinking education and community building. Each edition held in the country brings thousands of international visitors, showcasing Estonia’s innovative spirit and cultural vibrancy.
“By blending tech-enabled learning with immersive urban experiences, we’ve contributed a new layer to the innovation landscape: proving that Estonia is not only a digital nation but also a hub for transformative education,” says Kadi.
Final Message
For Mindvalley, Estonia and Mindvalley U symbolize the same ideals: courage, creativity, and human-centered innovation. It believes that education is the most powerful lever for change – and that by bringing people together to learn, grow, and connect, we can create a world where human potential knows no bounds.
