On May 16th and 17th, 2024, Riga will host the most prominent Deep Tech industry gathering in the Baltics, "Deep Tech Atelier 2024." Now in its sixth edition, this event will shine a spotlight on bio and space technologies, tackling vital issues for innovators. Organized by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), this conference will feature the European Space Agency (ESA) Day for the third time, emphasizing entrepreneurship and commercialization.
Over two days, more than 1000 participants will immerse themselves in a diverse array of international speaker presentations, discussions, startup demos, foreign investor pitches, and practical workshops. With a significant focus on B2B sessions, networking will play a pivotal role in forging new collaborations, advancing ongoing projects, and exchanging innovative ideas. Latvian startups will also have the chance to showcase their work through pitch sessions and a virtual Expo.
The conference will commence with speeches from distinguished government figures, including Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, Jurģis Miezainis, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, and Iveta Strupkāja, Acting Director of LIAA. Notable speakers will represent not only Latvia but also countries like the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, France, Finland, Japan, the United States, and others.
"We are thrilled to invite not only Latvian society but also scientists and entrepreneurs from around the world to focus on developing innovative solutions in RIS3* areas in Latvia at the most significant Deep Tech industry conference in the Baltics for the sixth time. Together, we are shaping Latvia as an internationally recognized hub for developing scientific technologies, fostering research-based startups, promoting the commercialization of scientific discoveries, and nurturing the emergence of sustainable companies. Strengthening innovation capacity in Latvia and building an innovation system are vital for accelerating technological progress in the economy. The conference focuses on two crucial themes: biotechnology and space technology, which are increasingly capturing the attention of Latvia's most innovative minds and entrepreneurs while gaining more confidence among investors! In the coming years, we anticipate new innovations from Latvia in these areas, and smart financial resource attraction will facilitate their realization in Latvia and globally," says Laura Štrovalde, Deputy Director for Investment and Energy Issues at LIAA.
The most significant Deep Tech industry conference in the Baltics, "Deep Tech Atelier 2024," will bring together all ecosystem participants, including research organizations, industry experts, scientific startups, state administration representatives, technology enthusiasts, and more. For more information and free event registration, visit https://deeptechatelier.com.
Attendees can explore a wide range of topics across three stages:
- Deep Tech Stage: Focused on funding, industry policy issues, support instruments, best practice examples, startup pitches, and reverse investor pitches.
- BioCosmic Stage: Featuring the European Space Agency (ESA) Day on May 16th, highlighting space technology content, and progressive biotechnology on May 17th.
- Growth Stage: Showcasing success stories and support opportunities provided by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism on May 16th, and addressing science communication issues by Labs of Latvia on May 17th.
Various side events will also complement the conference agenda.
"Deep Tech Atelier 2024" will take place on May 16th-17th, 2024, at the conference center "Fantadroms," 76 Gustava Zemgala Street, Riga (working language: English).
Event funding is made possible by ERDF projects "Development of SME Innovative Entrepreneurship" and "Support for the Improvement of the Technology Transfer System," the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 program "Business Development, Innovation, and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises," and the state budget program 28.00.00 for the implementation of external economic policy State image.
Last year, more than 1400 participants from 54 countries, including Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Germany, the USA, the Czech Republic, France, and others, attended the conference.
*The Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization (RIS3) is an economic transformation strategy aimed at higher value-added, productivity, and more efficient resource use. The economic transformation strategy is closely linked to the current level of economic development and competitive advantages (existing and potential).