October 17th, 2022
LIAA will open a series of five master classes and investment sessions for startup's to attract project financing and promote a modern and innovative national economy.
The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) in cooperation with the "Latvian Business Angels Network" (LatBAN) will open a cycle of five innovative master classes and investment sessions for startup's to help attract project financing and attention of Angel investors and venture capital funds. This will also promote a modern and innovative national economy. The events are taking place from October 18 to December 15, 2022.
LIAA in cooperation with LatBAN invites all innovative and ambitious entrepreneurs to apply for startup growth master classes and investment sessions led by such experienced investors and entrepreneurs as Voldemārs Brēdiķis and Cyril Golub. All companies that apply will be evaluated, but the most promising will receive an invitation to a master class and an investment session, during which they will be able to represent their project. Each cycle's masterclass and session are interconnected events, so invited entrepreneurs should attend them together to get the best experience and opportunities.
The aim of the master classes is to prepare young entrepreneurs for negotiations with investors of various levels - business angels and venture capitalists, in order to gain knowledge in presenting a successful project and attracting investment, which is an essential starting point in every successful business, when the project initially has an idea, a core team as well as the first prototype.
After each master class, investment sessions (IS) and networking evenings are planned, during which participants will be given five minutes to present their startup idea to investors. Registered participants with the most promising projects selected by the jury of LatBAN investors will be invited to the events.
Startups play an important role both in the development of competition and in promoting the growth of the national economy. According to LIAA statistics, around 13% of startups emerging in Latvia are "Deep Tech", or organizations whose business model is based on high-tech innovations in engineering. The organizers of these events hope to attract more startups of this branch to the provided mentoring and training so that local investors can find startups with high potential early and could advise them on how to further develop their projects in the US and European markets.
All master classes and investment sessions will be held in English. Entrepreneurs, startup founders, and innovators with a good business and financial plan, and an understanding of customers and the market are all invited to apply. Extra leverage goes for those startups that have a prototype or understand what's needed to build it. You can apply both by filling out the application form (here) or by creating a profile on LatBAN page on the international private investor platform Dealum.com (here). The sessions and master classes will take place from October 18 until December 15, 2022, at the LIAA premises, Perses Street 2, Riga. In case of questions, write to the event organizer, LatBAN executive director Kristīna Tarvida: tarvida.kristine@latban.lv.
Plan of master classes and investment sessions:
- The 1st master class will be held on October 18 from 15.00 until 17.00 and the complementary IS will take place on October 21 at 15.00;
- The 2nd master class will be held on October 28, and the complementary IS on November 4 (times will be specified);
- The 3rd master class will be held on November 14 and the complementary IS on November 22 (times will be specified);
- The 4th master class will be held on November 28, and the complementary IS on December 8 (times will be specified);
- The 5th master class will be held on December 12, and the complementary IS on December 15 (times will be specified).
The project is financed by ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) support and LIAA operating program "Growth and employment" 1.2.1. of the specific support objective "Increase private sector investments in R&D" 1.2.1.2. within the framework of the "Support for the improvement of the technology transfer system" project "Technology transfer program" (project identification no. 1.2.1.2/16/I/001).
