On May 14–15, Riga will host the eighth edition of “Deep Tech Atelier 2026”, Northern Europe’s largest conference dedicated to science-based technologies. The event has become a major platform for attracting investment, commercializing innovation and fostering the development of new high value-added companies in Latvia and across the region.
Organized by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), the conference will bring together more than 2,000 scientists, technology entrepreneurs, startups, investors and policymakers to strengthen the deep tech ecosystem and enhance Latvia’s competitiveness in global markets.
Science-based technologies are considered one of Latvia’s strategically important economic growth directions, highlighting the country’s potential to become a major deep tech hub in Northern Europe. Such events contribute to the creation of new companies, attraction of investments and development of high value-added exports, all of which are essential for Latvia’s long-term economic growth.
Ieva Jāgere, Director of LIAA: “Deep Tech Atelier is a platform that connects science with entrepreneurship and helps ideas evolve into export-capable companies. LIAA’s goal is to strengthen Latvia’s competitiveness by attracting investment and developing the innovation ecosystem.”
Focus on Artificial Intelligence, Defence and Innovation
This year’s conference will focus on artificial intelligence, data technologies, defence and medical innovations, as well as their practical industrial applications. Special attention will also be given to Latvia’s innovation potential in fields such as robotics, space technologies and secure digital systems.
A Platform for Investment and International Cooperation
Over two days, more than 100 industry experts will speak across three stages — Deep Tech, Deep Frontier and Growth Stage. The programme will cover both strategic discussions on technology development and regulation, as well as practical examples of innovation implementation.
The conference programme will include:
- a Startup Pitch Competition,
- meetings between investors and companies,
- an EXPO zone featuring technology demonstrations,
- networking and partnership-building events.
This year, 77 startup teams applied for the competition from Latvia, the United Kingdom, France, Estonia, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Türkiye, Hungary, Germany and Sweden. Ten finalists will present their ideas to an international audience of investors and industry representatives, competing for investments and strategic partnerships.
Latvia’s Innovation Ecosystem and LIAA Support
Investment and Development Agency of Latvia implements Latvia’s national policy for investment attraction, innovation and export promotion, strengthening the country’s competitiveness in international markets.
Latvia has developed a targeted support environment for startups and technology companies, including:
- adoption of the Startup Support Law,
- implementation of a startup visa programme,
- support mechanisms for attracting highly qualified specialists,
- innovation and research support programmes,
- regulatory sandbox opportunities for testing innovations.
Latvia is also actively developing its artificial intelligence and data technology ecosystem, promoting the responsible and secure implementation of innovation in business and industry.
About the Conference
The goal of “Deep Tech Atelier 2026”, organized by Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, is to accelerate the transformation of science-based innovations into exportable products and companies, attract foreign investment and strengthen cooperation between research institutions, businesses and the public sector.
Last year, the conference welcomed more than 2,000 participants from 62 countries, demonstrating its growing importance within the international innovation and investment ecosystem.
“Deep Tech Atelier” is implemented within the framework of the European Regional Development Fund co-financed projects “Support for Improving the Technology Transfer System” and “Innovative SME Development”, as well as with co-financing from the European Union Recovery Fund (NextGenerationEU).
