The central focus of this paper is an analysis of the problems of ethnic relations in the post-Soviet business community and how entrepreneurs of different ethnic origins articulate them. The core argument is that the ethnic segregation that took place in Soviet Estonia and was based on language (Estonian and Russian) is also present in post-Soviet Estonian entrepreneurship, despite the slogan: money does not know a state (or ethnic) boundaries. In focus group discussions, representatives of three groups of business people (Estonian-owned, non-Estonian-owned and joint companies, i.e. owners are both Estonians and non-Estonians) clearly demonstrate their understandings of what motivates and what isolates entrepreneurs of different ethnic origins in Estonia. At the same time, there are signs demonstrating the need for common activity and hope that in the future there will be an organization at the state level representing and protecting entrepreneurs’ common interests.
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