Festival “Icebreakers'26”

On March 5, 2026, the business opportunity festival “Icebreakers’26” will take place at the Science House of the University of Latvia in Torņakalns, bringing together students, pupils, researchers, and entrepreneurs — the future drivers of change. The festival’s theme, “Change the Rules of the Game,” emphasizes the courage to think and act differently in order to create innovation and develop entrepreneurial skills. The most promising idea in the business idea competition will receive a €10,000 grant to support the development of the winner’s business. Participation in the festival and the idea competition is free of charge with prior registration.

Today, a university is more than just an academic environment — it is a launch platform for ideas, combining science, entrepreneurship, and innovation into a unified ecosystem where knowledge transforms into real solutions and market-ready products. “Icebreakers’26” has been created as a meeting point for students, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals — a place where ideas meet opportunities.

“Our goal is not only to generate new ideas and knowledge but also to help them become practical solutions that benefit society. Innovation is valuable when it has a long-term impact and can attract both investors and industry partners. That is why we are building an environment where students, researchers, and entrepreneurs collaborate closely to turn ideas more quickly into sustainable startups and shape the next generation of innovators,” emphasizes Enno Ence, Vice-Rector for Development at the University of Latvia.

The festival’s theme encourages participants to challenge the conventional, step outside their comfort zones, and seek new solutions that drive change in business, research, and society. It inspires the use of knowledge, creativity, and collaboration as a foundation for sustainable development and becoming those who do not merely follow trends, but redefine the rules of the game. The main goal of “Icebreakers’26” is to promote student and broader community engagement in entrepreneurship by providing inspiration, knowledge, and practical tools. It serves as a bridge between academia, the business sector, and public institutions, creating a platform for meaningful collaboration and real action.

Throughout the day, attendees can expect inspiring stories and panel discussions offering insights from industry leaders and experts on the development of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Students will learn how to build interdisciplinary teams and utilize the resources available through various collaboration partners, expanding the potential for their ideas to become real projects. For entrepreneurs, the festival offers a platform to discover new talent, promising ideas, and opportunities for further growth. This year, the festival will place special focus on information and communication technologies (ICT), exploring them within a broader business and innovation context.

The central event of the festival will be the business idea competition, where the authors of the most promising ideas can compete for a €10,000 grant to develop their business. The grant will be awarded by a professional jury of experts and is intended to help ideas grow and reach their next stage of development.

During the festival, the EXPO zone and technology demonstrations will provide opportunities to explore various companies, organizations, and solutions. Practical workshops and masterclasses will offer hands-on experience in developing ideas and skills. Participants will also have access to a matchmaking point to facilitate the formation of new teams, collaborations, and partnerships, as well as guided tours of LU OpenLab, allowing them to explore the infrastructure and resources available for testing and implementing ideas.

Detailed information about the festival, its activities, and the registration link is available on the festival website: www.icebreakers.lu.lv.

“Icebreakers’26” is more than just an event — it is a place to break the ice, challenge established norms, and meet those who think differently, act boldly, and change the rules of the game.

The festival is organized by the Innovation and Acceleration Center of the University of Latvia within the ERDF co-funded project No. 1.1.1.7/1/25/A/005 “University of Latvia Innovation Grants for Students.”