# Toivo Annus

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**Toivo Annus** (1972 – 12 July 2020) was an Estonian [engineer](/source/Engineer) and [investor](/source/Investor). He was one of the founders of [Skype](/source/Skype), an early internet telecommunications application. Skype became the first [unicorn business](/source/Unicorn_(finance)) founded in Estonia, and was sold to [eBay](/source/EBay) for $2.6bn in September 2005.[1] In 2010, Annus' contribution was recognised with the award of the [Order of the White Star, 5th Class](/source/Order_of_the_White_Star), by the president of [Estonia](/source/Estonia).

## Biography

Annus studied for a mixed MBA/Computer Science degree at [Tallinn Technical University](/source/Tallinn_Technical_University) before managing multiple small ICT teams and projects. He led the engineering aspects of Skype from its startup until its acquisition. Subsequently, Annus and his co-founders from Skype started Ambient Sound Investments, a private asset management company, which funded more than 50 early stage new ventures worldwide.[2] The assets of this company were reported to have grown 17.5% year on year during 2018 EUR131 million.[3]

On 13 July 2020, Annus' wife issued a press release announcing that her husband had died of an unexpected illness.[4]

## References

1. Tänavsuu, Toivo (2018-09-03). [""How can they be so good?": The strange story of Skype"](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/09/skypes-secrets/). *Ars Technica*. Retrieved 2020-07-21.

1. P, Jamie (2020-07-14). ["Gone Too Soon: 5 Things To Know About the Skype Co-founder Who Just Passed Away"](https://www.techtimes.com/articles/251103/20200714/gone-too-soon-5-things-to-know-about-the-skype-co-founder-who-just-passed-away.htm). *Tech Times*. Retrieved 2023-09-21.

1. ["Skype co-founder Toivo Annus dies at 48"](https://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_news/?doc=21365&output=d). *The Baltic Course*. 2020-07-13. Retrieved 2023-09-21.

1. ["Skype cofounder Toivo Annus dies at the age of 48"](https://estonianworld.com/business/skype-cofounder-toivo-annus-dies-at-the-age-of-48/). *Estonian World*. 2020-07-13. Retrieved 2023-09-21.

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