Innovate360°

Driving Latvia’s
Innovation Potential:
From Evaluation
to Action

RTU Science and Innovation Center, Riga

April 10

Register

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About

Join us at Innovate360, a transformative summit where you’ll not just talk about change — you’ll help create it. Designed to shape the future of Latvia’s innovation ecosystem and elevate its position on the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS), this event gives you the unique opportunity to actively contribute to Latvia’s innovation action plan.

Engage with industry leaders and global experts through thought-provoking presentations, interactive discussions, and hands-on workshops. Work alongside fellow participants to tackle key challenges, explore international best practices, and co-create actionable solutions that will directly strengthen Latvia’s innovation landscape.

Register now and take your place at the forefront of Latvia’s innovation movement!

Register

PARTICIPATION

Who is this event for?

Innovate360 is for those who are committed to actively driving Latvia’s innovation forward, collaborating to create impactful solutions that will shape a competitive future for the country. The target audience includes: 

Government and local authority representatives Innovation support structures and agencies Academic and research institutions Leaders from the startup and business communities Investors and funding institutions

Why attend?

By participating, you will have the opportunity to:

Network and connect
forge valuable connections with industry pioneers, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs.
Gain insights
learn from the best minds in the field through engaging keynotes, interactive panels, and workshops.
Discover opportunities:
explore new avenues for collaboration, funding, and expansion.
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Speakers

Meet our experts from innovation - leader countries, renowned for cutting-edge contributions.

Alexis Stevenson

Alexis Stevenson

Statistical Officer at

European Commission

Belgium

Anders Bengtsson

Anders Bengtsson

Head of Innovation Hub North at

EIT Urban Mobility

Sweden

Petra Holm

Petra Holm

Digital Transformation Adviser at

e-Estonia Briefing Centre

Estonia

Angelina Bekasova

Angelina Bekasova

Senior Expert in Space and Innovation Policy

Ministry of Economics of Republic of Latvia

Lars Frølund

Lars Frølund

Strategic Advisor to the

NATO Innovation Fund

Denmark

Līga Rozentāle

Līga Rozentāle

Deputy State Secretary for Energy Policy Affairs at

Ministry of Climate and Energy of Republic of Latvia

Emil Syundyukov

Emil Syundyukov

Chief Executive Officer at

Longenesis

Latvia

Kristiāns Karlsons

Kristiāns Karlsons

Co-founder of

OX Drive

Latvia

Jānis Delviņš

Jānis Delviņš

Head of Data Center Business Direction at

Latvia State Radio and Television Centre

Māris Gailis

Māris Gailis

Associate Professor at

Riga Technical University

Latvia

Aigars Runčis

Aigars Runčis

Ventures Department Director at

LMT

Latvia

Jānis Paksis

Jānis Paksis

Business Technology Expert at

Riga Business School

Latvia

Alīna Dolmate

Alīna Dolmate

Community Officer at

EIT Community Latvia

Latvia

Aija Lāce

Aija Lāce

Project Manager at

VEFRESH

Latvia

Signe Briķe

Signe Briķe

Deputy Director of the Human Capital Development Department at

Ministry of Economics of Republic of Latvia

Anna Viegliņa

Anna Viegliņa

Communications Manager at

VEFRESH

Latvia

Kristers Moisejs

Kristers Moisejs

Raw Materials Track Lead at

RTU Science and Innovation Centre

Latvia

Monika Diāna Cālīte

Monika Diāna Cālīte

Event Host & Founder of

Laimigs.lv & Break the Loop

Latvia

Agenda

09:30
Arrival and Coffee

Kipsalas Street 6a, Riga

10:00
Opening Ceremony

The Moon Stage

Keynote speeches

The Moon Stage

10:10
The European Innovation Scoreboard: What It Reveals

Alexis Stevenson

The Moon Stage
This keynote will offer an overview of the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS), explaining its methodology and the insights it provides on Europe's innovation performance. The session will examine Latvia’s strengths, the challenges it faces, and its position among neighbouring countries. Discover how this benchmarking tool informs strategic priorities, guides innovation efforts, and influences economic and research development—ultimately shaping innovation performance.
10:30
Strategic R&D Investments: Competing for European Tech Sovereignty

Lars Frølund

The Moon Stage
Why do some industries excel at R&D while others lag? The defence sector, however, has long demonstrated how strategic R&D investments can drive breakthrough innovations, foster private sector engagement, and strengthen national resilience. This keynote will uncover the secrets behind successful defence-driven innovation ecosystems – how they are structured, funded, and scaled – and reveal actionable lessons to strengthen R&D investment across industries.
10:50
Global Research, Local Innovation: Lessons from the Health Sector on Strengthening Scientific Collaboration

Emil Syundyukov

The Moon Stage
How can international collaboration drive scientific excellence and innovation in Latvia? The health sector demonstrates how global partnerships drive research excellence and innovation. This keynote will explore actionable strategies to strengthen Latvia’s research networks, secure global investment, and enhance its role in the international innovation landscape – featuring key lessons from Longenesis’ success.

Workshops

The Outer Space

14:00
Unlocking R&D Investment: Advancing High-Tech and Knowledge-Intensive Exports (Limited spots)

Latvia State Radio and Television Centre

The Outer Space
Investment in research and development, as well as high-tech and knowledge-intensive exports, is essential for driving innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness. However, Latvia continues to face significant challenges, including insufficient R&D funding, weak commercialization pathways. How can this trajectory be reversed? This interactive workshop will focus on identifying strategic actions to attract investment, strengthen high-tech and knowledge-intensive industries, and enhance Latvia’s competitiveness in global markets. Participants will examine key obstacles and work together to develop practical solutions. By aligning policy, business, and research perspectives, this session aims to create a concrete roadmap for fostering sustainable, innovation-driven growth in Latvia.
14:00
Bridging the Gap: From Research to Market-Ready Innovation (Limited spots)

The Outer Space
How can Latvia strengthen its innovation ecosystem and overcome persistent barriers in digital skills and technology adaption, international collaboration, and business commercialization? This hands-on workshop will focus on developing a concrete action plan to drive change in these key areas. Participants will explore how targeted improvements – such as upskilling workforce or expanding global research partnerships – can accelerate commercialization and enhance competitiveness. Through collaborative discussions, the session will identify key leverage points, define priority actions, and outline practical steps to create a stronger, more integrated innovation ecosystem in Latvia.
14:00
Collaborative Research for Competitive Innovation: How to Leverage EIT Innovators Network

EIT Community in Latvia

The Outer Space
Join us for a workshop and informal idea exchange where we will explore opportunities to enhance innovation excellence through collaboration. Specifically, we will discuss how to leverage our strong advantage - connection to the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), Europe's largest innovation network. This network fosters impactful innovation projects and facilitates engagement with key EIT stakeholders to boost international collaboration. We will explore ways to empower young researchers, build new partnerships, and boost innovation to gain a competitive edge. Together, we'll also identify success metrics to improve Latvia's standing in the European Innovation Scoreboard.

* Confirmed participants will receive an email

16:30
Workshop Presentations

The Outer Space
The real impact of the workshops begins now. In this session, participants will present their key takeaways, proposed strategies, and action plans. This is an opportunity to refine ideas, gather feedback, and build momentum for real-world implementation. Sharing insights and actionable plans will ensure that the summit's discussions lead to meaningful progress in Latvia's innovation ecosystem.

Panel discussions

The Moon Stage

11:10
Digital Skills & Technology Adoption: Insights from Telecommunications and Beyond

Petra Holm, Aigars Runčis, Angelīna Bekasova, Signe Briķe, Jānis Paksis

The Moon Stage
In an era of rapid technological advancement, gaps in digital skills and slow adoption of emerging technologies can hold back innovation and economic growth. This panel will explore the key challenges in upskilling the workforce, the role of universities in closing the digital divide, and how stronger public-private collaboration can accelerate digital transformation. With insights from the telecommunications sector and beyond, the discussion will highlight strategies for fostering a future-ready workforce and driving technology adoption across industries.
12:00
From Innovation to Market: What Transport & Mobility Can Teach Us About Business Commercialization

Anders Bengtsson, Māris Gailis, Aija Lāce, Kristiāns Karlsons, Anna Viegliņa

The Moon Stage
Bringing innovation to market remains a major challenge for Latvia’s business ecosystem. What lessons can be drawn from the transport and mobility sectors, where innovation must rapidly adapt to real-world needs? This panel will examine the key drivers of commercialization, from overcoming scaling barriers to fostering industry collaboration, securing investment, and ensuring market readiness. Gain insights from experts on how to accelerate the journey from idea to impact.
12:45
Boosting Latvia’s High-Tech Exports: Energy as a Case Study

Līga Rozentāle

The Moon Stage
Latvia’s high-tech exports are among the lowest in the EU, limiting its global competitiveness. Why is commercialization and international expansion so challenging, and how can this be changed? This panel will uncover key barriers—from private-sector investment to government support for knowledge-intensive industries like biotech, AI, and clean energy. Using hydrogen energy as a case study, experts will share insights on how stronger R&D investment, smarter policies, and targeted startup support can drive Latvia’s high-tech growth and global market success.

Networking

The Moon Kitchen

13:30
Lunch break & networking

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to register?

To secure your spot, simply click the Register button and fill out the easy-to-use online form on our website. Provide your essential details, answer a few key questions, and submit your application with just a few clicks. To save your place, please ensure that you register by April 4th.

Is there a registration fee for attending the summit? 

There is no registration fee for attending the Innovate360. The event is open to all participants free of charge. We believe in promoting inclusivity and providing equal opportunities for individuals to engage in the summit and contribute to the vibrant innovation community. To secure your spot, simply click the Register button and fill out the easy-to-use online form on our website. Provide your essential details, answer a few key questions, and submit your application with just a few clicks.

Can I attend specific sessions, or do I need to register for the entire summit? 

We encourage participants to take advantage of the full summit experience to maximize the benefits and opportunities for collaboration and learning. However, participants have the flexibility to attend specific sessions of their choice. You can select and join the sessions that align with your interests and schedule.

Where will the summit take place?

Innovate360 will take place at the RTU Science and Innovation Centre, located at Kipsala Street 6A, Riga, Latvia. 

The venue is accessible via public transportation, from which the event venue will be located just a 5-minute walk away: 

  • Trolleybuses: no. 5, 9, 12 and 25; 
  • Buses: no. 13, 30, 37, 41, 53, 57; 
  • Minibuses: no. 236, 237, and 241.

You can also reach the venue by shared mobility solutions or car. There is parking available near the venue. 

The RTU Science and Innovation Centre is equipped with facilities for individuals with special needs. If you require any specific assistance, please contact us in advance, and we will be happy to assist you. 

Will there be networking opportunities at the summit?

Innovate360 is designed to provide ample networking opportunities for all participants. Throughout the summit, you will have dedicated networking sessions, interactive workshops, and engaging discussions that facilitate meaningful interactions and partnerships. Additionally, we have incorporated breakout sessions to encourage informal networking and relationship-building. 

Will there be virtual attendance options for those unable to attend in person?

Unfortunately, we will not be offering virtual attendance options for remote participants. The event is designed to be an immersive and interactive experience for in-person attendees, fostering meaningful connections and collaboration among innovators, experts, and industry leaders.

How can I stay updated on the latest news and updates about the summit?

You can follow RTU Science and Innovation Centre official social media channels, where we will be posting announcements, speaker reveals, agenda highlights, and other important event details. Our website will also serve as a central spot for all summit-related information, including schedule changes, featured speakers, and any additional resources you may need.

Will there be opportunities for participants to engage with industry experts and mentors?

Throughout the event, there will be networking breaks, which will offer the perfect chance to approach experts, ask questions, seek advice, and build meaningful connections. We encourage participants to actively take advantage of these networking opportunities to gain valuable insights, receive guidance, and foster mentorship relationships. 

How can I connect with other attendees before and after the summit?

While we won’t have formal matchmaking options, we encourage participants to connect with each other before and after the innovation ecosystem summit through various channels. We recommend sharing that you are attending the summit on your social media platforms, allowing others to find and connect with you.

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