Applications Open for the “Confluence” Pre-Acceleration Program

Author
Investment and Development Agency of Latvia

July 23, 2025

research entrepreneurship

Until August 18, science-based startups are invited to apply for the second round of the “Confluence” pre-acceleration program, supported by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) and implemented by the innovation management company "Helve".

Konfluence.png
LIAA publicity image

 

The Confluence program offers an opportunity to transform scientific innovations into viable technological solutions that can compete in the international market. During the program, participants will receive individual mentor support, work with industry experts and companies, and gain practical knowledge and contacts to successfully develop their business.

Participants will receive:

  • A 12-week hands-on pre-acceleration course focused on innovation commercialisation.
  • Mentorship support from Baltic Sandbox, BSV Ventures, and Helve.
  • Up to €5000 in funding for developing and testing technology prototypes.
  • Support in public communication and investor outreach.
  • Opportunities to collaborate with industry companies to test solutions in real-world conditions.
  • A demo day at the end of the program to present progress to investors and partners.

The program invites science-driven startups and teams in the early stages of developing technology solutions that aim to bridge the gap between research and commercialisation. Applications are open until August 18, with the program starting on September 8.

“Many science teams in Latvia have strong ideas and technologies, but the path from the lab to the marketplace is not easy – often there is a lack of business knowledge, contacts, and practical support. The Confluence program was created specifically to help these teams understand market needs, find the most suitable business model, and develop their technology into a usable product. We believe Latvia has the potential to create internationally significant startups, and every such program is a chance to turn that potential into real results.”
emphasizes Marija Ručevska, co-founder of Helve.

This will be the second edition of the Confluence program. Ten teams graduated in the spring, according to Labs of Latvia. The program is implemented by Helve in cooperation with LIAA, and funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Latvian state budget under the project “Support for the Improvement of the Technology Transfer System”.

 

Recommended articles

international collaboration research

Representatives of Latvia’s science and innovation ecosystem are invited to share their views on the future of the EIT

The European Commission invites representatives of the science, innovation, and business ecosystem to provide their views on the review of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Regulation and the EIT Strategic Innovation Agenda.  EIT is an important part of the Europea…

Latvian Council of Science

August 21, 2026

research natural sciences

New Horizon Europe project at ISSP UL for sustainable battery recycling

The Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL), has become part of the new Horizon Europe project CIRCULOOP (High-Throughput Circular Closed-Loop Direct Recycling for Low-Value Battery Chemistries in European Gigafactories). With the support of the BATT4EU partnership, a three…

University of Latvia

August 21, 2026

innovation research

Latvian startup develops underwater drones for critical infrastructure protection

Latvian science-based technology, or Deep Tech startup SIA “SUBmerge Baltic” is developing autonomous underwater drones designed for infrastructure inspections, port security, hydrography, mine clearance, and other complex underwater tasks. The company has been operating in the market since 2022, f…

Investment and Development Agency of Latvia

August 20, 2026

research public health

Latvia to establish the first One Health Centre of Excellence in the Baltics

The government decision adopted today, 18 August, to allocate co-financing will enable the implementation of the major research initiative “Centre of Excellence for an Integrated One Health Ecosystem” by Latvian scientific institutions, which received support in April this year in a project call un…

Izglītības un zinātnes ministrija/ Research Latvia

August 18, 2026