Addressing the sustainability crisis requires innovative approaches such as sustainable technological entrepreneurship. The case of Estonia, as an example of a twin (digital and green) transition, is examined. We explored Estonian entrepreneurs’ perceptions of challenges and opportunities related to the green transition. The data were collected via an online survey from 532 Estonian companies, focus groups, and individual semi-structured interviews with 42 experts. Survey data were analyzed using proportional odds logistic regression, and interview data were examined using thematic analysis. Based on the interview findings, the main perceived entrepreneurial opportunities related to green transitions were increasing production efficiency and favoring taxation for green products and services. The main challenges included losing competitive advantage, coping with crises, and the need for long-term planning and significant investments. Survey findings revealed that too much pressure only from politicians and a lack of innovation might increase the likelihood of perceived company cost increases. More pressure from other stakeholders and increased innovation were associated with higher odds of viewing the green transition as an opportunity. This study provides valuable insights into the perceptions of Estonian entrepreneurs regarding the challenges and opportunities of the green transition and contributes to their categorization.

There is an urgent need for action to turn cities into hubs for dealing with environmental causes and creating better and more sustainable living for residents. Cities have become systems where sustainability has been neglected for decades due to the fast industrialization in the past. This research aims to investigate how cities can tackle the sustainability crisis on the local level, blending top-down and bottom-up processes through community involvement. The study focuses on the principles of doughnut economics and smart cities and presents opportunities for the practical implementation of digital collective intelligence in achieving sustainable urban development. Further, the article discusses the origins and fundamentals of doughnut economics, smart cities, and digital collective intelligence and critically analyzes their applicability in city governance. The paper proposes a blended model of city digital governance that combines top-down decision-making with community participation through digital collective intelligence. Finally, the article provides recommendations for cities to promote sustainable urban development. The findings of this study are relevant for policymakers, city planners, and researchers interested in promoting sustainable urban development through innovative approaches that blend top-down and bottom-up processes.