About us.
Trust is earned over time. Great software is built the same way.
For more than 35 years, we’ve helped organisations design, build, and evolve business-critical digital solutions through long-term partnerships, stable software teams, and a way of working shaped by experience rather than theory.
What makes us different
Over the years, we’ve learned one simple thing: successful software projects aren’t just about technology. They’re about people, the way they work together, and everything they learn along the way. Everything comes from that experience. It’s what we’ve found works – and why many of our clients choose to stay with us for years.
A trusted, collaborative partner
Every partnership starts with a conversation. We ask questions, challenge ideas when needed, and say what we honestly think. Trust grows by delivering what we promise, taking responsibility for the outcome, and being the kind of partner clients can rely on for years, not just for a single project.
Up to 150% greater efficiency
We’ve learned that the biggest gains come from not having to start over. Teams that know each other and know the business can get straight to work. They spend less time onboarding and more time solving problems. That’s good for productivity, and it saves our clients both time and money.
Reliable, secure, predictable delivery
Good software shouldn’t demand your attention. It should simply work. The same team keeps learning, building on what they’ve learned, and improving the software as your business grows. You don’t have to worry about knowledge disappearing, projects slowing down, or starting over every few years.
Long-term teams that grow with you
Our longest client relationships span decades. The same people keep learning your business and improving your software over time. That means every new project starts from experience, not from scratch. That’s why we build dedicated teams that stay with our clients and grow alongside their business.
The story of us: what’s in our DNA
Our people and culture
Helmes has always been built around people. We’ve created an environment where teams can grow, take ownership, and build long-term careers. We believe the best software is built by people who stay long enough to understand the business, learn from each other, and make a real difference. That’s why investing in people isn’t something separate from our business – it’s how we build it.
As our founder, Jaan Pillesaar, puts it, “Employee well-being is in our DNA.” It’s the foundation of our culture and, ultimately, the value we create for both our people and our clients.
30+ years of history
Helmes began in Estonia in 1991, at a time when almost everything had to be built from scratch – businesses, technology, and trust.
Our founder, Jaan Pillesaar, was still a university student when he and his friend decided to start a company. They had no long list of references to point to – only a belief they could build something worthwhile and the determination to keep their word. Helmes began by selling computer hardware.
One of our earliest turning points came when a Dutch technology supplier agreed to ship computer equipment to a small company in Eastern Europe without advance payment. It wasn’t a business decision backed by years of history. It was a decision to trust two young entrepreneurs.
We build: custom software, mobile and web applications, and system integrations.
We transform: modernising legacy systems and driving digital transformation.
We scale: AI, data, and optimisation to support long-term growth.
As Jaan remembers it, “He simply said, ‘I decided to trust you, but make sure you will succeed.’ We did. A few years later, we had become their largest partner in Eastern Europe.”
That experience stayed with us. It shaped how we think about business today. Long-term relationships are built by keeping promises, sharing what we’ve learned, and creating value that grows over time. Technology changes. Those principles do not. The way we build partnerships hasn’t changed.
“As a manager, I have always tried to give people a lot of freedom. I’ve never dished out orders, and I try to avoid imposing restrictions wherever possible,” says Jaan.
Our values
Our values have shaped Helmes from the beginning. They guide the decisions we make every day – how we work together, how we work with our clients, and how we solve problems.
We care about people and the work we do. We have the courage to take responsibility, challenge ideas, and say what we honestly think. And we believe efficiency isn’t about working faster – it’s about solving the right problem in the simplest way that works for the long term.
Software gets better when the people building it stay together.
The value of staying together
We’ve learned that successful software projects have very little to do with writing more code and everything to do with continuity. Stable teams build knowledge, understand the business, make better decisions, and improve software year after year.
Over time, something changes. Conversations become shorter because people already understand the context. Decisions become easier because the history is still in the room. Progress becomes steadier because no one is constantly catching up. That’s where efficiency comes from.
That’s why we build dedicated teams that stay with our clients and grow alongside their business.
You will be in good hands
Our customers consistently rate us as the best external software development partner. We achieve this through long-term collaboration, stable delivery teams, and deep domain knowledge.
Trusted by leading organisations across enterprise, government, and regulated industries, we support clients through development centres in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, with additional offices in Switzerland, Germany, India, Nigeria, the USA, and Uruguay.
Ready to build a long-term partnership?
Helmes helps organisations design, build, and scale secure, business-critical digital solutions. Let’s talk about how we can support your goals.